The PGA Tour has announced a major shakeup to its model, creating a two-tiered system that will start in 2028. The new system will feature an elite tier, known as the Championship Series, and a secondary tier, known as the Challenger Series.

Championship Series

The Championship Series will feature the top 90 players from the previous year, as well as the top 20 players from the Challenger Series. The series will include 15 tournaments, with expanded fields of 120 players on average. The tournaments will not have sponsor invitations or an alternate list, and there will be a 36-hole cut.

The Championship Series will also feature a new points system, with players earning points based on their finish in each tournament. The points will be used to determine the eligibility for the Championship Series, as well as the seeding for the postseason.

Challenger Series

The Challenger Series will be a path for players to earn their way to the top level. The series will feature 20 tournaments, with fields of 144 players. The purses for the Challenger Series will be at least $4 million, which is lower than the current purses for regular non-signature events.

The Challenger Series will also have its own points system, with players earning points based on their finish in each tournament. The points will be used to determine the eligibility for the Challenger Series, as well as the seeding for the postseason.

The PGA Tour has stated that the new system is designed to create more competition and excitement, while also providing more opportunities for players to earn their way to the top level. The tour has also announced that it will be moving towards a separate series of four to six tournaments in the fall, which will allow top performers to earn their way back to the Championship Series.

Original reporting: KSAT Sports (San Antonio) — read the source article.