ATLANTA — Two weeks ago, the Player Advisory Council was faced with a proposal to reduce field sizes in full-field events to 120 players. Because of the reduced playing opportunities, the plan would likely result in a reduction in the number of fully exempt players on the PGA Tour.
According to a PAC member, the proposal would reduce the number of exempt players from last season’s FedExCup points list to the top 100, from the current top 125, as well as the number of exemptions granted to Korn Ferry Tour members (currently 30). In total, the changes would reduce the number of full members from approximately 208 to 160.
No deadline and little clarity provided on PGA Tour and Saudi PIF matters
Jay Monahan addressed the media in East Lake on Wednesday, but did not provide specific answers on the issues that concerned him.
“I think the meeting in Memphis was a culmination of a year of work. At the beginning of the year we said, listen, what can we do to create more ownership and a higher level of engagement,” Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said Wednesday in East Lake. “In terms of strengthening the competitive model of the PGA Tour, that was the focus of those conversations in Memphis. What I can tell you is that those conversations are player-led. There is a strong alignment.”
The proposal was at least partly prompted by this year’s field expansion, which was cancelled on Friday due to problems with pace of play and daylight.
“In this case, it’s a little bit about our competitive system: what’s the right number of players to put on the course each week, what’s the best version of our eligibility,” said Tyler Dennis, the Tour’s chief competitions officer.
While there appears to be support for the new proposal within the PAC, there were also those who lobbied to expand the Tour’s field at major events. Currently, there are 72 to 80 participants, to compensate for the difference in playing opportunities. That seems unlikely, however.
The proposal must be approved by the Tour’s policy council, which meets in November during the RSM Classic.
