Change Of Course For PGA Tour In ’28, Rolapp Becomes Commissioner In ’27
Tuesday, June 23, 2026 at 03:12PM By Barry Janoff
June 23, 2026: With Tiger Woods in attendance — making his first public appearance since his vehicular accident in March — the PGA Tour unveiled moves that will completely reimagine the golf circuit.
Beginning in 2028, a new model “built upon a foundation of meritocracy” will see players moving between two series – the PGA Tour Championship Series and the PGA Tour Challenger Series “through a formalized structure of promotion and relegation.”
Beginning in 2027, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp will become the next commissioner, effective Jan. 1.
The PGA Tour said it approved a series of recommendations from the Future Competition Committee, “ushering in a new competitive structure that will feature two distinct series of tournaments and will debut for the 2028 season.”
“Honored to stand alongside Brian Rolapp as we announce the PGA Tour’s new model for 2028 and beyond.” Woods posted to social media to coincide with his attending a PGA Tour media conference. “This is an exciting moment for the game of golf. It has been a privilege to lead the Future Competition Committee and I am proud of the work we have done to build the best version of the PGA Tour for future generations of players and fans.”
“Today marks a pivotal moment for the PGA Tour as we move forward with a new competitive system, starting in the 2028 season,” Rolapp, who fronted the PGA Tour media conference, wrote in a letter posted to the PGA Tour Web site.
“Throughout this process, we have listened closely to players, partners and our fans. You told us you wanted to see the best players in the world competing against one another more often. You wanted clearer stakes as the season unfolds. And you wanted a more dramatic finish to the season that rewards excellence and makes every tournament matter.
“This new model is our response.”
The PGA Tour Championship Series will offer a “consistent schedule of playing opportunities for the best players in the world. It will feature approximately 23-24 events, inclusive of The Players Championship, the majors and international team events (Presidents Cup, Ryder Cup), with the season running approximately February to August.”
The PGA Tour said it has lined up an initial set of ten of its expected 15 PGA Tour Championship Series regular season events for 2028. The remaining events will either be filled by existing events or new markets under consideration, including Boston, Denver, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle and Washington, D.C.
Each PGA Tour Championship Series event will feature a purse of at least $20 million.
Each regular season event will feature fields of approximately 120 players with no alternate list and no sponsor exemptions, 72 holes with a 36-hole cut to the top 65 and ties, with consideration for special formats (i.e. pro-am).
The PGA Tour Championship Series will also have a reimagined postseason, including the introduction of match play, with a new-look Tour Championship contested across a rotation of prestigious courses — many of which the PGA Tour would play for the first time.
Photo: PGA TourTop players from the PGA Tour Championship Series will also be eligible for a limited series of elevated international events, played in the fall and with the intent to be delivered in partnership with the DP World Tour as part of the Strategic Alliance between the two organizations.
As the primary pathway to the PGA Tour Championship Series, "the PGA Tour Challenger Series will offer a slate of at least 20 events with purses of at least $4 million as players look to earn coveted promotions. These events will be played on distinguished venues that have traditionally hosted PGA Tour events."
PGA Tour Challenger Series tournaments will be played concurrently with the PGA Tour Championship Series and will feature fields of approximately 144 players, with the ability to reduce field sizes due to restrictions such as daylight. Each tournament will be played across 72 holes with a 36-hole cut to the top 65 and ties.
Approximately seven PGA Tour Challenger Series events will be played during PGA Tour Championship Series off-weeks, with increased consequence, benefits and exposure.
PGA Tour Championship Series players will not be eligible to participate in PGA Tour Challenger Series events.
Rolapp was appointed PGA Tour CEO in June 2025 after a 22-year tenure at the NFL. He becomes the fifth Commissioner in Tour history, joining Joe Dey (1969-1974), Deane Beman (1974-1994), Tim Finchem (1994-2016) and Jay Monahan (2017-2026).
“One Tour. Two compelling series of events, played at the most worthy courses, for the highest stakes, culminating in a true postseason that crowns the best golfer in the world,” wrote Rolapp..
“Every event serves a distinct purpose, contributing to one unified objective—to be the strongest, most compelling golf platform in the world, for the benefit of our fans, partners and players.
"While our competitive model is evolving, we remain committed to making a positive impact. Since 1968, the PGA Tour has been guided by the belief that golf can be a force for good. As the PGA TOUR grows, so will our ability to support the communities where we play.
"Today's announcement represents meaningful progress, but our work is far from finished. We will continue refining elements of the model and sharing public updates as we move toward implementation.”
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