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PGA Tour unveils 2028 two-tier competition with $20M purses

By Drooid · Sep 15, 2026, 4:09 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

PGA Tour Restructures

The U.S. PGA Tour announced a two-tier competition model starting 2028.
The Championship Series will hold 24 events with $20 million purses, including The Players and majors.
The Challenger Series will hold 20 events with $4 million purses and up to 144 players.
Top 90 Championship players keep 2028 membership; 20 Challenger players earn promotion each season.
Winning two Challenger events gives an exemption, and a “Last Chance” series awards three cards.

Summary

Strategic Sports Group Invests

PGA Tour appointed Tyler Rutstein as chief marketing officer, starting Oct. 5.
Mike Mahar joined as chief technology officer on Oct. 5, bringing over 20 years IT experience.
John Fizer became senior vice president of investor relations to develop education for the 2024 player equity program.
Strategic Sports Group invested $1.5 billion for an 11.62% stake, valuing the PGA Tour at $12.9 billion.

Summary

Woods License Suspension

Tiger Woods was found guilty of a reduced charge on Sept. 2, 2026.
A court sentenced him to a five-year suspension of his driver’s license.
Because of the conviction, Woods cannot play in The Players Championship or the U.S. Open.
He may still attend his foundation’s NEXUS Cup charity event in New York on Sept. 14-15, 2026.
PGA Tour commissioner said Woods, as Future Competitions Committee chair, did not lobby for special eligibility.

History

Historical Context

The PGA Tour announced the FedEx Cup in June 2006 and launched the playoff system in 2007, creating a season-long points race with a large bonus pool. Adjustments in 2008, 2013 and 2019 reshaped field sizes and tied points to tour cards, showing how financial incentives drive format changes. The 2026 playoffs, the 20th edition, illustrate the lasting impact of that reform.

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PGA Tour Restructures

The U.S. PGA Tour announced a two-tier competition model starting 2028.
The Championship Series will hold 24 events with $20 million purses, including The Players and majors.
The Challenger Series will hold 20 events with $4 million purses and up to 144 players.
Top 90 Championship players keep 2028 membership; 20 Challenger players earn promotion each season.
Winning two Challenger events gives an exemption, and a “Last Chance” series awards three cards.

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