The PGA Tour is officially getting smaller in 2026.
On Monday, the PGA Tour Policy Board approved “competitive changes supported by the Player Advisory Council that will deliver a stronger and more competitive and entertaining PGA Tour to fans, players, tournaments and partners,” according to the PGA Tour.
The changes include field size adjustments to account for events with limited daylight and minor changes to the FedExCup points structure. Eligibility and field size changes will take effect for the 2026 season, while adjustments to the FedExCup points system will be implemented beginning in 2025.
“Today’s announced changes build on the competitive and schedule enhancements incorporated over the last six years in seeking the best version of the PGA Tour for our fans, players, tournaments and partners,” PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said in a release. “This was a true collaborative effort, and I’m extremely proud of the PAC for the time and effort they put into evaluating how we build a stronger PGA Tour.”
For eligibility, the changes include exempt status changing from top 125 to top 100 in the FedExCup standings with conditional status for finishers 101-125. This change was incorporated for players who receive their cards via the Korn Ferry Tour/DP World Tour/Q-School to have a greater certainty of schedule and equitable playing opportunities for full-field events, per the release.
Only the top 20 finishers on the Korn Ferry Tour will receive PGA Tour cards instead of 30. Ten players from the DP World Tour will still receive cards, and Q-School will be limited to five instead of five and ties.
For Monday qualifiers, in 144-player fields, only four spots will be available. That number goes to two spots for 132-player events and none for 120-player fields.
Sponsor exemptions used for players in the DP World Tour/Korn Ferry Tour/Q-School category, and those restricted to PGA Tour members, will be removed and reallocated to the next eligible members on the priority ranking. Open events maintain unrestricted sponsor exemptions.
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As for field sizes, the Tour is reducing the maximum number of players in a starting field played on one course from 156 to 144 players; a reduction to 120 or 132 as required by circumstances such as daylight. The Players will move to a field size of 120 players. Most tournaments played on multiple courses will stay at 156 players, with the exception of the Farmers Insurance Open, which will have 144 players.
These FedEx Cup points changes go into effect next year: major championships and the Players will have a slight increase to second-place points and a slight decrease in points for positions 11 and beyond. Signature events will have a slight decrease in points for positions 7 and beyond.
Some other approved changes include the top-10 finishers and ties, including amateurs, to be granted access to the next event, rather than the top-10 professionals. Additionally, an extra point will be awarded for a top-five finish in PGA Tour University Accelerated. Additionally, Invitational eligibility adjustments were made for the Players, Charles Schwab Challenge and Genesis Scottish Open to align with the revised standard eligibility structure.
“The PAC discussions were based on a number of guiding principles, including our belief that PGA Tour membership is the pinnacle of achievement in men’s professional golf,” said Policy Board player director Adam Scott. “The player representatives of the PGA Tour recognize the need to be continually improving its offerings to enhance the golf fan experience. The changes approved today will provide equitable playing opportunities for new young talent to be showcased, and positively refine the playing experience for our members.”