America 250: Bobby Jones
Bobby Jones was born on March 17, 1902 in Atlanta, Georgia, and became one of the greatest amateur golfers in history. As a teenager, he reached the third round of the US Amateur at age 14, showing early promise. He went on to win 13 major championships, all as an amateur, a record that still stands. In 1930, Jones achieved the “Grand Slam” by winning the US Open, British Open, US Amateur and British Amateur in the same year. He retired from competitive golf at age 28, at the height of his career. Jones later co-founded Augusta National Golf Club and helped create the Masters Tournament, which began in 1934.
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Seismic changes are coming to the PGA Tour with a completely revamped model and schedule set to roll out starting in 2028.
The introduction of relegation and promotion, two separate series, matches and courses the Tour has never visited are among the many exciting changes the golf world will see in the near future.
While there are still many details to be worked out, which will be announced at a later date, the information the Tour formally announced on Tuesday painted a pretty clear picture of how different and exciting the new structure will be from a fans’ perspective.
Brian Rolapp appears during a press conference with PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp prior to the 2026 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 23, 2026 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about the new PGA Tour
PGA Tour Championship Series
- This will be the new top tier of the PGA Tour, consisting of 23 to 24 events, including The Players, the four major championships and international team events. The portfolios will amount to at least 20 million dollars.
- Ten of the expected 15 regular Championship Series events have been completed, with the remaining five to be completed in new, larger markets.
- Field size will average 120 players, and all events will feature a 36-hole cut with the top 65 players and ties playing over the weekend.
- The Tour Championship, the finale of the playoffs, will rotate at different golf courses and match play will be integrated into some format.
- There will be no substitutes or sponsor exemptions at events.
PGA Tour Challenger Series
- The new second level of the Tour that will also be the main path to the Championship Series.
- At least 20 Challenger Series events will take place, with seven expected to be standalone tournaments that will not overlap with Championship Series events. All events will have a 36-hole cut.
- The fields will feature approximately 144 players and carry purses of at least $4 million.
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Tiger Woods of the United States looks toward Brian Rolapp during a press conference with PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp prior to the 2026 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 23, 2026 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Descent and rise
The Championship Series will have a points structure, and the top 90 players on the points list will be retained and remain in the top-tier series. Players who finish outside the top 90 will face relegation to the Challenger Series.
A minimum of 20 Challenger Series players will be promoted each season, with remaining spots determined by multiple criteria including tournament winners, medical extensions, career milestones and a new “last chance” series.
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The last chance series, which will take place in the fall, will consist of four to six events to determine the final spots in next season’s Challenger Series.
PGA Tour qualifying school will still take place, but before the last chance series that offers players to earn their spot in the Challenger Series.
Key takeaways from the Tour’s radical changes
One could easily argue that a two-tier system has long existed on the PGA Tour. Putting it in writing only adds intrigue and, most importantly, clarity.
Jay Monahan (PGA TOUR commissioner) shakes hands with Brian Rolapp as it is announced that Rolapp will become the next PGA TOUR commissioner effective January 1, 2027 during a press conference with PGA TOUR CEO Brian Rolapp prior to the 2026 Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands on June 23, 2026 in Cromwell, Connecticut. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images) (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
You have a first level system and a second level system. Players who play well in the top-tier system stay there, play for big wins, and stay at the top of professional golf’s best circuit. The second-tier system rewards top players with a chance for advancement, but also includes tournaments with $4 million purses, where the “average” player, even in the Challenger Series, can make a comfortable living.
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On the topic of clarity, it’s something PGA Tour fans have never been accustomed to with the various iterations of the FedEx Cup Playoffs over the years. Not only will the introduction of match play make things as simple as possible, it is also the format golf fans have been clamoring for since the WGC match-play event was removed from the calendar following the 2023 edition.
There are still many details to be implemented, but the vision has already been presented and it is a complete renewal of the PGA Tour.
