World No.16 Justin Thomas is competing at the Charles Schwab Challenge this week, while big names like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, and Cameron Young are not on the lineup. Recently, Thomas revealed why pros usually skip the tour stops.

Out of all the events, the PGA Tour pros prioritize the majors and also the signature events. However, each golfer has their own preference and justification in choosing the regular tour stops they play at.

“Everybody's different. I would say the most, the first and foremost, most important thing that a lot of the top guys, a lot of anybody that's in the majors, you're going to at least, I would think, is what's going to prepare me the best for the major.” Thomas said during his interaction with the media on May 27.

Thomas further stated that he has “had success in majors when I play the week before.” On the other hand, World No.1 Scottie Scheffler once said that he prefers not to play the week before a major.

World No.2 Rory McIlroy had once pointed out Tiger Woods’ method of choosing the events. The 15-time major winner would pick the events that “had the best cadence to his schedule and where he had the best chance to win.”

“I had a year where the PGA, when it was at Southern Hills, I wanted to play the week before Byron Nelson, it's easy travel, and I played the week before. So it's very situational of when you play, don't play in that regard.” Thomas added.

Under PGA Tour rules, players must compete in at least 15 events per season to retain full status.

Scheffler would’ve featured for the fourth straight week at the Charles Schwab Challenge but opted not to. Similarly, Thomas revealed that he tried “with all my might to not do four in a row.”

Five of the top 15 players in the world skipped the Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral, which was a signature event. However, it was a late addition and would’ve been “taxing” for the pros.

PGA Tour pros occasionally pull out after victories. Just like Wyndham Clark did at Colonial Country Club, after winning last week’s The CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

Matt Fitzpatrick, the winner of the RBC Heritage, skipped the Myrtle Beach Classic and the Truist Championship before playing the PGA Championship. McIlroy and Aaron Rai also withdrew from events after winning their majors.

Recently, it was reported that the 2027 schedule will undergo a lot of changes. Let’s find out.

Changes In The 2027 PGA Tour Schedule

The Cadillac Championship, even by being a Signature Event, failed to compete against Formula One's Miami Grand Prix weekend.

On Tuesday, the PGA Tour pros reportedly received a memo regarding the updated dates of the Cadillac Championship, Valspar Championship, and Arnold Palmer Invitational. 

Next season, the Cadillac Championship will be held from 4^th to 7^th March, the week before The Players Championship.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational will witness a drastic shift, from being a pre-Players event to being held the week after the Players Championship, from 18^th to 21^st March.

The Valspar Championship will shift to right before the Truist Championship and will be hosted from 6^th to 9^th May.

What are your thoughts on the new schedule? Share them in the comments.

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Written by

Avishek Sarkar

Edited by

Souvik Roy