PGA TOUR's two-series model: the 2028 shake-up everyone in golf is talking about
The PGA TOUR’s Future Competition Committee has locked in a radical two-series format for 2028. Here’s what players, fans and the sport stand to gain—or lose.
The PGA TOUR’s boards have approved a two-series tournament model set to debut in 2028, a structural overhaul recommended by the Future Competition Committee. The new format will split the tour’s events into two distinct tiers, each with its own schedule, qualification rules, and competitive focus. The move is designed to sharpen narratives, reduce player burnout, and create clearer pathways to ranking points and prize money.
Under the two-series model, players will compete in one of two series based on performance metrics such as FedExCup standings and career earnings. The tour has not finalized qualification thresholds, but it has signaled that the top performers will earn entry into the higher-tier series, which will feature marquee events and larger purses. Lower-tier events will still offer ranking points but with a reduced weight in the overall standings.
The tour has also hinted that mid-tier players could earn dual-series status, allowing them to compete in both tiers to maximize exposure and earnings potential. The PGA TOUR has not disclosed the names or branding of the two series, but insiders indicate the higher-tier series will anchor the tour’s marquee events—likely including The Players Championship, the four majors, and signature FedExCup playoff stops—while the second tier will prioritize developmental events, regional tournaments, and international stops to broaden the tour’s global reach. The lower-tier series could also serve as a proving ground for younger players transitioning from the Korn Ferry Tour, ensuring a smoother career arc without abrupt drops in competition level.
The tour’s decision reflects broader trends in sports media, where fragmented audiences and shifting consumption habits demand more curated, high-stakes content. By creating two distinct competitive ecosystems, the PGA TOUR is mirroring strategies used by the ATP/WTA tennis tours and Formula 1’s sprint race model, where tiered competition drives premium storytelling and commercial appeal. The move also aligns with the tour’s push to monetize digital platforms, where exclusive content tied to the higher-tier series could command premium subscription tiers or pay-per-view models.
This tiered approach isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a calculated risk to future-proof the tour’s relevance. Golf’s traditional broadcast model is eroding, with younger audiences increasingly turning to streaming and short-form highlights. The two-series model forces a confrontation with that reality by packaging premium content behind a paywall or subscription gate.
For sponsors, it means rethinking activation strategies: high-tier events will attract luxury brands chasing affluent audiences, while lower-tier stops may pivot to regional sponsors or developmental partnerships. The tour’s gamble hinges on whether fans will pay for exclusivity or reject the fragmentation of a sport built on continuity. The lower-tier series could also become a laboratory for innovation.
With less pressure on star players to dominate every event, the tour can experiment with formats—think shorter fields, faster-paced rounds, or even hybrid scoring systems—to test what resonates with casual viewers. This mirrors the European Tour’s recent shift toward more flexible event structures, where innovation is prioritized over tradition. If successful, the lower tier might even lure top players back to smaller events they’ve abandoned in favor of bigger purses elsewhere, creating a virtuous cycle of competition and engagement.
Tour officials framed the change as a response to player feedback on workload and fan demand for more concentrated, high-stakes competition. “Players told us they wanted clearer pathways to success, and fans told us they wanted more compelling narratives,” said a PGA TOUR spokesperson. “This model delivers both by creating two distinct competitive ecosystems.
” What’s next: The PGA TOUR will spend the next three years finalizing qualification rules, tournament assignments, and commercial partnerships before the 2028 launch. The tour will also conduct player forums and fan focus groups to refine the model’s rollout. Expect a pilot phase in 2027 featuring select events to test the new structure and gather feedback before full implementation.
The tour has already begun discussions with broadcasters about exclusive rights packages for the higher-tier series, signaling that media partners will play a critical role in the model’s success. Read at NewsAPI.org
Why this matters
The PGA TOUR’s two-series model could redefine how players qualify, how fans consume tournaments, and how money flows across the sport. By splitting events into two distinct tiers, the tour is betting on clearer narratives, higher stakes, and a more sustainable competitive calendar. For players, it means new pathways to ranking points and prize money, with potential dual-series status creating hybrid careers. For fans, it promises more concentrated storylines and marquee showdowns, while for media partners, it offers premium content opportunities. The move also pressures the PGA TOUR to deliver measurable engagement gains or risk losing ground to rival tours and streaming upstarts. If successful, the model could become the blueprint for other global sports tours looking to modernize their structures.
Frequently asked
- What exactly is the PGA TOUR’s two-series model?
- The PGA TOUR will split its events into two distinct series starting in 2028. Each series will have its own schedule, qualification pathways, and competitive objectives, creating clearer tiers within the tour’s structure.
- Who approved this new format?
- The PGA TOUR boards greenlit the two-series model after a recommendation from the Future Competition Committee, which spent over a year analyzing competitive integrity, player workload, and fan engagement.
- How will players qualify for each series?
- Details on qualification are still under review, but the tour has indicated that performance-based criteria, including FedExCup standings and career earnings, will play a role in determining entry into each series. Mid-tier players may earn dual-series status to compete in both tiers.
- Will the two-series model affect prize money distribution?
- The PGA TOUR has not finalized prize money splits between the two series, but it has committed to maintaining total purse levels while reallocating funds to reflect the new competitive hierarchy and player incentives.
- What happens to existing tournaments under this model?
- Existing tournaments will be evaluated and slotted into one of the two series based on field strength, historical significance, and commercial viability. Some events may be rebranded or repositioned to fit the new structure.
- How will fans experience the two-series model?
- Fans can expect more concentrated storylines, with each series building toward a season-ending championship. The tour plans enhanced storytelling, digital content, and in-person experiences tailored to the prestige of each series.
Source
- PGA TOUR establishes new competitive structure with two-series model to debut in 2028 - PGA Tour
NewsAPI.orgpgatour.comBy StaffJun 23, 1:03 PMen
