PGA Tour Signature Occasions have been a pertinent matter not too long ago, given that every one 50 gamers who qualify for this week’s BMW Championship additionally acquire entry into every Signature Occasion subsequent season.
These eight tournaments characteristic restricted fields and elevated purses. Further FedEx Cup factors are additionally accessible. However they serve a good better function: to make sure that all the highest gamers on the PGA Tour compete side-by-side at a few of the most iconic, non-major venues, akin to Riviera, Bay Hill, and Muirfield Village. The rise of LIV Golf led the tour to ascertain its Signature Occasion mannequin one yr in the past, hoping to maintain its gamers pleased whereas creating a greater product for on-site followers and people watching from house. It debuted throughout the 2024 season, which ends subsequent week in Atlanta on the Tour Championship.
Therefore, a reporter requested Patrick Cantlay, who serves on the PGA Tour Coverage Board, to replicate on these Signature Occasions forward of the BMW Championship.
“I really feel like they’ve gone very well,” Cantlay stated.
“I’ve talked to quite a lot of the blokes, and so they really feel just like the occasions are a few of the finest they’ve performed of their time on the PGA Tour. I really feel just like the sponsors have been proud of it. The golf programs have been in nice form. I believe they’ve gone very well.”
Cantlay additionally gave the Signature Occasions an “A” grade. Nonetheless, there’s all the time room for enchancment, and the PGA Tour has already established two changes for Signature Occasions in 2025.
First, the sphere measurement will broaden from 70 to 72 gamers, permitting a few extra gamers to achieve entry into the largest occasions of the season. Some tournaments will make the most of alternate lists to find out these fields, too. These will likely be predicated on the Aon Subsequent 10, which helps decide who performs in every Signature Occasion based mostly on who has performed properly as much as that time. The opposite adjustment entails Tiger Woods, who can play in no matter Signature Occasion he wishes.
But, Cantlay and the board will proceed to research its construction as time passes.
“I believe it’s one thing we must always all the time be taking a look at,” Cantlay added.
“However I believe it’s important to give it a while. We made some important adjustments within the final yr or two, so analyzing this yr as a result of it has been a big change and seeing what the results are. I do know we’re doing that on the [Player Advisory Council] and board degree.”
The eight Signature Occasions for subsequent yr will stay the identical as this yr’s, with the primary being The Sentry at Kapalua in early January.
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying Via. Make sure you try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
