PGA Tour modifications and the nice Bernhard Langer 

Verify in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular subjects within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we focus on and extra.  

1. Final week, the PGA Tour notified members of a number of proposed modifications that would happen within the 2026 season, a few which might be handing out fewer Tour playing cards and lowering area sizes for some occasions. “I hate all of the modifications they’re making,” Justin Decrease mentioned final week. “Looks like anytime I do one thing good they make a change.” Decrease, as a result of his rating, could be one of many gamers almost certainly affected if these modifications undergo, however with all of the Signature Occasion tweaks, field-size changes and fixed change within the males’s recreation recently, does he have some extent in regards to the Tour altering an excessive amount of and even operating the chance of complicated the common fan? Is the Tour’s fixed change good, unhealthy, or inevitable?

Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): From the fan’s perspective, I believe it is determined by what you want in regards to the professional recreation. Do you get pleasure from watching the celebs and largely acquainted names week in and week out? Or do you like the occasional underdog? In a sentence, then, the darkish horses may get squeezed out — however there’s the robust risk that the standard of play will enhance, because it’ll be more durable to maintain a Tour card. As for me, I’m a fan of tales — and telling them! — and I believe we’ll lose some right here. 

Sean Zak, senior author (@sean_zak): Decrease undoubtedly has a level, however he’s gonna need to work fairly onerous to earn a ton of sympathy. He’s simply not one of many 40 or 60 and even prime 100 golfers on the planet. The reality today is you’ll want to be a prime participant to have the system at all times working in your favor. That’s earned by actually good golf. 

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): He undoubtedly has some extent. And there’s undoubtedly a value to those modifications. However the PGA Tour — and its big-time new consultants — have made this resolution with followers and with simplicity in thoughts. I believe this provides readability to a complicated system, which is an efficient factor. Nonetheless work to do, after all … 

2. One other one of many proposed modifications was tweaking the pathway to the Tour, and 20 Korn Ferry Tour grads will now obtain PGA Tour playing cards as a substitute of 30. The DP World Tour will as soon as once more award 10 playing cards. In an interview final week following the Tour’s proposed modifications, DP World Tour chief Man Kinnings mentioned it wouldn’t shock him if extra Individuals began to contemplate becoming a member of the DP World Tour. Do you agree? And are there benefits and downsides to this state of affairs?

Piastowski: Yeah, I might doubtlessly see that. On the DP World Tour, the purses are greater, and the areas are extra unique. You may make residing and journey the globe. But when your aim is the PGA Tour, 20 playing cards remains to be better than 10. I’m questioning how a lot issues change. 

Zak: Completely agree, but it surely’ll be in reverse. As in those that end outdoors the highest 125 on the Tour first, then head to Europe, fairly than these coming from school to Europe on their approach to the Tour ranks. However so long as the purses on the KFT are considerably comparable, the proximity to house goes to be a greater match for many. 

Dethier: This week’s DP World Tour area was a reminder that it’s robust to place this circuit in a field — it’s an epic world tour that’s additionally a feeder tour, an outlet for LIV guys and a part-time cease for a number of the largest stars on the planet. I’m all for incorporating it extra absolutely within the PGA Tour system … however there are nonetheless big-picture id questions it has to confront. However as Rory McIlroy mentioned this week, it’s a tour with its choices open.

3. Austin Eckroat gained the World Huge Know-how Championship, besting Justin Decrease and Carson Younger by one and Max Greyserman by two in Mexico. Greyserman talked earlier within the week about his shut calls, and together with his third-place end right here, he’s now positioned within the prime 5 5 instances in his 27 profession begins (together with three 2nds) and nonetheless hasn’t gained on Tour. Is he the very best present PGA Tour participant with out a victory? Or does another person maintain that title?

Piastowski: I’ll cheat right here a bit and go together with Tommy Fleetwood — the seven-time DP World Tour winner and multiple-time Ryder Cupper has stunningly by no means gained on the PGA Tour. But when we’re taking part in issues straight up, gimme Denny McCarthy, perhaps the Tour’s finest putter. Golf is a tough recreation. This all being mentioned, Greyserman’s too proficient to not win, and I’m considering he jumps off this checklist shortly. 

Zak: I believe Greyserman must do it greater than only one season to earn that title. It’s undoubtedly Tommy lad, as Nick factors out. And it may not be shut? Cameron Younger involves thoughts, too. 

Dethier: Let’s get extra particular: He’s on the most popular present run of anybody with out a Tour win. There’s no assure one will ever come, however Greyserman appears to be the entire bundle. He’s excessive on each watch checklist for 2025.

4. Ageless marvel Bernhard Langer gained the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday in Phoenix, extending his senior-circuit profitable streak to 18 years and giving the 67-year-old professional his record-extending forty seventh win on PGA Tour Champions. Given Langer’s expertise and longevity and the mass sums being made on the PGA Tour today, is his PGA Tour Champions win document (which might nonetheless be added to) one thing that can ever be damaged?

Piastowski: No. Until that dude who wears pink on Sunday — who turns 49 subsequent month! — commits to a full Champions schedule. 

Zak: It is not going to be damaged. It’s ridiculous. I see that stage of professional golf solely growing extra parity transferring ahead, too. Langer’s data are secure. 

Dethier: The PGA Tour Champions is humorous as a result of your age works in opposition to you from the second you make your debut. For everybody else, that’s. Exceptional stuff and a testomony to his self-discipline.

5. On Tuesday, GOLF will launch its newest High 100 Programs within the U.S. rating, an inventory that dates again a long time. Why do you consider this rating continues to be necessary for the game?

Piastowski: All types of causes! However perhaps the most important is you, the golfer, wins. Programs usually wish to be on these sorts of lists — so, in flip, you get higher golf, higher experiences, higher the whole lot. That mentioned, right here’s hoping we get higher costs, too. 

Zak: I believe it’s as a result of we love lists, and there’s a ton of fine stuff about this checklist. It permits for change when new programs come into play. It provides us all one thing to shoot for and discuss. It provides us a purpose to journey! It’s plenty of issues in a single. 

Dethier: It’s necessary as a result of we love speaking about golf programs, and evaluating them, and making lists of our favorites. Our High 100 doesn’t need to be yours. It gained’t be! Nevertheless it’s an amazing jumping-off level for conversations, for debates, for desires … and perhaps even for planning. It’s unattainable to make an ideal checklist identical to it’s unattainable to check items of artwork. Nevertheless it’s value giving it the ol’ school attempt anyway.