Tiger Woods announced on 30 Jun 2026 that the PGA Tour will roll out a two‑tier system in 2028, expanding the elite Championship Series field and rotating marquee courses beyond Atlanta.
What is the new two‑tier model?
The overhaul creates a top‑level Championship Series with roughly 15 events and an expanded field of about 120 players, up from the current 72. Prize money for these signature tournaments will stay at $20 million, but sponsor exemptions are eliminated to ensure only the best compete. A 36‑hole cut will decide who makes the weekend rounds.
Below the elite tier, the Challenger Series will feature about 20 events with fields of roughly 144 players. Minimum purses are set at $4 million, a significant jump from the Korn Ferry developmental circuit, which typically offers $1 million. The Challenger events will often run the same week as a Championship tournament, giving fans a full slate of golf.
Why does the change matter for Tiger Woods?
Woods, who chairs the Future Competition Committee, says the redesign is about “bringing together different perspectives, having honest, hard conversations, and thinking boldly about what is best for the game.” His return to the chairman role follows a stint abroad for treatment after a March 27 DUI arrest. PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp praised Woods’ involvement, noting the former champion’s “meaningful contribution” to the plan.
The new format also promises a rotation of prestigious courses for the Championship Series, ending the tradition of holding the finale at East Lake in Atlanta every year. That shift could give Woods more opportunities to showcase his favorite venues and keep his legacy tied to a broader set of historic tees.
How will the schedule look?
The season will run roughly from February through August, with scheduled weeks off that do not reduce playing opportunities. Signature events will retain their $20 million purse but will no longer feature sponsor invitations or an alternate list. Meanwhile, Challenger tournaments will maintain at least $4 million in prize money, ensuring a viable pathway for rising talent.
Rory McIlroy recently called the secondary tier a “glorified Korn Ferry event,” but Rolapp assured that the new model will offer comparable numbers of tournaments and financial incentives. The PGA Tour board approved the recommendations on Monday, signaling a swift move toward implementation.
What comes next?
The Future Competition Committee, led by Woods, still must decide which specific tournaments will join the Championship Series and which will sit in the Challenger lineup. Details on the match‑play postseason format and the exact rotation of courses are also pending. As the 2028 launch approaches, players, sponsors, and fans will watch closely to see how the two‑tier system reshapes the competitive landscape of professional golf.