The band-aid wanted to be ripped off sooner or later, and because the PGA Tour proposes sweeping modifications to its subject sizes and eligibility, all set to take impact in 2026, the transition gained’t come with out this painful actuality:
The Korn Ferry Tour and Q-Faculty graduates will face an unprecedented job to maintain their playing cards in 2025.
In preparation for 2026, solely the highest 100 gamers on the ultimate 2025 FedExCup factors listing will retain absolutely exempt standing, whereas different ’26 modifications embody lowering subject sizes throughout the board, lowering or eliminating Monday qualifying spots, and lowering the variety of KFT graduates from 30 to twenty gamers.
Here’s a deeper have a look at the current modifications proposed by the PGA Tour and what every of them imply.
These proposed modifications will probably be voted on by the Tour’s coverage board on Nov. 18, the week of the RSM Basic, although they’re anticipated to move.
The challenges this previous season for these coming off the KFT and out of Q-Faculty included issue entering into full fields, particularly early within the calendar and earlier than the early-April reshuffle, and within the occasions they did qualify for, taking part in for considerably fewer FedExCup factors.
Now, these reorder-category gamers will function in the identical atmosphere in 2025, although as an alternative of capturing for the highest 125 in FedExCup factors, they might want to end subsequent fall inside the highest 100. For reference, via final week’s Zozo Championship, solely 5 KFT/Q-Faculty grads (excluding absolutely exempt Ben Kohles) sat inside the highest 100 in factors:
48. Max Greyserman
61. Jake Knapp
85. Rico Hoey
86. Patrick Fishburn
98. Mac Meissner
Getting into the mid-fall bye week, Rafa Campos, who started the yr because the thirtieth KFT grad, has competed in 22 occasions providing a mixed 9,900 FedExCup factors to winners. As compared, Mac Hughes, No. 50 on final yr’s FedExCup listing, has competed in 24 occasions for 16,100 complete factors, and Carl Yuan, No. 125 in factors in 2023, has logged 25 begins providing 11,850 factors.
“I don’t really feel a part of the PGA Tour, I actually don’t, and that’s actually miserable,” Campos mentioned in February.
Beginning in 2026, such emotions must be quelled.
As soon as the modifications happen, it’s broadly believed that the reorder gamers, who will probably be bumped up simply behind Nos. 71-100 on the precedence listing, will have the ability to get into all open occasions with probably the one exception being the WM Phoenix Open, which can have its subject diminished to 120 gamers.
This, mixed with the slight discount in factors awarded to finishers down the leaderboards at majors and signature occasions (high 11 or worse at majors; high 7 or worse at signature occasions) will present the graduates a extra degree taking part in subject with these absolutely exempt members and top-50 guys.
However, once more, that doesn’t assist the ’25 guys.
On Wednesday, the PGA Tour’s incoming rookies gathered in Ponte Vedra Seashore, Florida, for orientation. The earlier first-year gathering was held in Hawaii the weekend earlier than this yr’s Sony Open, which about half of the KFT and Q-Faculty guys didn’t find yourself entering into. So, already a marked enchancment.
The rookies reached by Golf Channel on Tuesday night have been simply beginning to analyze the modifications, although the widespread sentiment was optimistic.
“In all probability a sensible transfer on most of it,” texted one. “Not a fan of eliminating loads of Monday qualifiers, nevertheless, I get it.”
There was additionally the glass-half-full take that, sure, 2025 will probably be troublesome to maintain your card, but when the modifications have been made a yr earlier, Nos. 21-30 on the KFT factors listing wouldn’t even have their playing cards.
Then there may be the thought that fewer playing cards accessible via the KFT will push extra gamers to the DP World Tour. Second stage of DPWT Q-Faculty begins on Thursday, and over two dozen current U.S. faculty grads are competing, together with internationals Mats Ege, Herman Wibe Sekne, Adam Wallin, Bastian Amat, Julian Perico and present Arizona standout Tiger Christensen, plus Individuals Canon Claycomb, Ryggs Johnston, Palmer Jackson and Spencer Cross.
However a minimum of a type of gamers dismissed that perception:
“I don’t suppose these modifications make Europe extra interesting. I simply suppose extra individuals are going to give up and attempt to discover a extra secure, actual job. Folks say it’s cheaper to return over right here, however I’m within the gap 7-ish grand already. … It’s an insanely laborious factor to do getting on certainly one of these excursions, and now they’ve made it even more durable.”
For these sitting in a ballroom on Wednesday getting ready for his or her debut PGA Tour seasons, they’ve already gotten to the massive present. Their problem is now staying on the market.
That job will probably be more durable than ever subsequent yr, however they do have what many don’t – and that’s the chance.
Texted one other rookie: “Time to get to work.”
