DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 07: A PGA, Golf Herren Tour sign sits on the first tee during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 7, 2024 in Dublin, Ohio. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JUN 07 PGA the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon240607076
DUBLIN, OH - JUNE 07: A PGA, Golf Herren Tour sign sits on the first tee during the second round of the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday at Muirfield Village Golf Club on June 7, 2024 in Dublin, Ohio. Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JUN 07 PGA the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon240607076
The PGA Tour is considering a split into two competitive levels. A finalized 2028 schedule could arrive within the next three weeks. This overhaul aims to modernize professional golf through promotion and relegation.
CEO Brian Rolapp spoke to the media at the Memorial Tournament on Wednesday, June 3, near Columbus, Ohio.
The proposed plan includes a top-tier tour featuring more than 20 events, 120-player fields, and $20 million purses. Below it would be a second tier with promotion and relegation, allowing players to move between levels based on performance.
August 20, 2025. Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Brian Rolapp, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA, Golf Herren Tour. He speaks to the media ahead of the 2025 TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Atlanta USA - ZUMAw109 20250820_fap_w109_005 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
August 20, 2025. Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Brian Rolapp, Chief Executive Officer of the PGA, Golf Herren Tour. He speaks to the media ahead of the 2025 TOUR Championship at East Lake Golf Club. Atlanta USA - ZUMAw109 20250820_fap_w109_005 Copyright: xDebbyxWongx
"The amount of change and the questions we're asking ourselves are not easy by design," he said. "But I think we're making substantial progress."
He added, "Depending upon what we do in the next handful of weeks will determine how substantive that is."
Before any changes can happen, a committee meeting will take place on June 9. After that, the PGA Tour plans to make an announcement during the Travelers Championship. However, the Tour's policy board must approve the proposal before it can become official.
The plan has faced criticism from several groups. Some players believe it is simply the current PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour system with fewer tournaments.
Second-tier organizers are questioning large purses for developmental events. Media partners also need clarity on future broadcast rights.
The playoff format remains unsettled. A reduced two-event postseason with match play is under discussion. As Golf Digest reported on June 3, Torrey Pines could open the 2028 season, with the calendar wrapping up in late summer.
The Work Already Done and What Still Needs to Happen
More than 30 meetings have taken place across committee sessions, working groups, player meetings, Player Advisory Council discussions, and board sessions.
Player involvement has shaped the direction. Format ideas for the playoffs are coming from inside the locker room, not handed down.
"I've been a big believer that you can come up with any format you want, if it doesn't feel authentic to the players, like it's real authentic competition, it's not going to feel authentic to anybody," Rolapp said.
Some changes could start as early as next season, but bigger changes are likely to come in 2028. How much progress is made between now and the Travelers Championship will determine which plan comes first.
Trending slideshow: 20 All-Time Most Title Winners on PGA Tour
Aditi Singh
20 All-Time Most Title Winners on PGA TourWinning on the PGA TOUR is one of the hardest feats in sports. But doing it again and again elevates a golfer and places them among the legends. Each era was ruled by a golfer whose presence on the course in itself gave people a run for their money. Be it Ben Hogan’s grit and determination in the 1950s, Tiger Woods' dominance in the 2000s, or the prodigious Rory. These 20 golfers show the evolution from shot-making pioneers of the mid-1900s to the modern superstars who redefined athleticism in golf while amassing staggering victory totals at the highest level. PGA TOUR ArchiveBursting onto the PGA Tour stage in 2010 at age 20, Rory McIlroy secured his first Tour win at the Quail Hollow Championship with a course-record 62. Since then, he’s amassed 29 PGA Tour titles, captured five majors, and joined the elite by completing the modern career grand slam, proving his edge remains razor-sharp and unyielding. Golffile Thos Caffrey /Digi Newsfile/ImagoA true underdog story, born December 1, 1939, Lee “The Merry Mex” Trevino overcame humble beginnings to tally 29 PGA Tour wins, including six majors. Before his era ended, he became one of only four golfers to twice win the U.S. Open, The Open Championship, and the PGA Championship, though the Masters eluded him. His swagger blended with shot-making brilliance, making Trevino more than a champion: he became a legend alive on and off the fairways. Paul Hennessy/ZUMA Press Wire/ImagoNicknamed “Gene the Machine,” Gene Littler crafted a flawless rhythm to his swing and collected 29 PGA Tour wins during his pro career. Battling melanoma in 1972, he made a memorable comeback in 1973 at the St. Louis Children's Hospital Open. With trademark smoothness and resilience, Littler became a benchmark of elegance and consistency in golf. PGA Tour Archive picBorn May 22, 1908, Horton Smith claimed 30 PGA Tour titles. Known as “The Joplin Ghost,” he quietly dominated golf’s formative era and helped shape the sport’s early professional landscape. From topping the money list in 1936 to serving in WWII and leading the PGA of America. Michigan Sports Hall of Fame LogoKnown as “Lighthorse Harry” for his lightning-fast play, Henry Edward Cooper collected 30 PGA Tour victories, the most by any player who never won an official major. Born in England but made in America, Cooper became a respected teacher into his 90s, a lifetime devoted to the game that always kept him in contention Canadian Golf Hall of FameJames Newton “Jimmy” Demaret racked up 31 PGA Tour victories. A Texas-born fan favorite known as “The Wardrobe” for his flamboyant style, he mastered blistering winds and polished his game while working club pro jobs and singing in nightclubs. In 1947, he topped the money list and claimed the Vardon Trophy. Texas Golf Hall of FameFrom hitting coconuts as makeshift golf balls in Fiji to becoming World No. 1 in 2004, Vijay Singh’s journey is one of the greatest comeback stories in golf. After early-career suspension and years grinding in Africa and Europe, Singh broke through on the PGA Tour with the 1993 Buick Classic. His historic nine-win 2004 season dethroned Tiger Woods from the top ranking and made him the most successful non-American winner in PGA Tour history with 34 PGA Tour titles, proving his work ethic was as unstoppable as his rise. Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports GolfweekKnown as “Mr. Icicle” for his composure, Lloyd Mangrum quietly amassed 36 PGA Tour victories. He topped the money list in 1951, from Texas club assistant to global contender, his cool demeanor masked a steely resolve. Courtesy USGA ArchivesFrom a ten-year-old caddie in New York to a seven-time major champion, Gene Sarazen, “The Squire,” helped shape golf’s golden era. He didn’t just win; he innovated, famously hitting the “shot heard ’round the world”. Sarazen captured 38 PGA Tour victories, fierce rivalries with icons like Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen. Imago / glasshouseimagesIn the golden rush of the 1970s and ’80s, Tom Watson ascended to dominate links and fairways alike. With 39 PGA Tour titles, Watson’s cool precision and clutch putting rewrote what dominance looked like in golf’s modern age. David Blunsden/Action Plus/ImagoKnown as “Doc” for the dental career he left behind at 26, Cary Middlecoff became one of the most dominant ball-strikers of the 1950s. He collected 39 PGA Tour victories with methodical pace and nerves that occasionally battled him couldn’t stop his rise; he became one of golf’s first major champions to successfully transition into broadcast commentary, shaping how the sport was watched across America. United Archives / KPA / KeystoneWalter Hagen’s tally of 44 official PGA Tour wins means that in recognized professional tournaments of his era, he won 44 times, including major championships (a total of 11 majors) and many other significant victories. His dominance in the 1920s, his role in shaping professional golf, and the respect he garnered make those 44 wins not just a statistic, but part of a legacy of transformation in golf. Michigan Sports Hall of Fame LogoA master of creativity and short-game brilliance, Phil Mickelson has built one of the most decorated careers in golf history with 45 PGA Tour victories and six major championships. His milestone 40th Tour win came in dramatic Mickelson fashion, an 8-under 64 Sunday charge to capture the 2012 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am. From daring flop shots to fearless risk-taking, Mickelson became the ultimate showman, one who made greatness look bold, inventive, and thrilling to watch. Mark Edward Harris/Zuma Press Wire/ImagoBilly Casper quietly put together one of the greatest careers in PGA Tour history, ranking 7th all-time with 51 victories. A model of consistency, he won at least one PGA Tour event for 16 straight seasons (1956–1971). Casper was twice the PGA Tour Money Winner, a two-time PGA Player of the Year, and earned five Vardon Trophies for scoring excellence. He also dominated in team competition, becoming the highest-points-earner in the U.S. James Drake/SIA true pioneer of modern golf, Byron Nelson became the first player in history to reach 52 PGA Tour victories, finishing with 52 wins, the 6th most all-time. His refined, leg-driven full swing set the foundation for today’s technique and helped him deliver one of the greatest runs the sport has ever seen. Unable to serve in WWII due to a blood-clotting disorder, he instead played in countless charity events that strengthened his impact far beyond scorecards, securing his place as one of golf’s most influential champions. Courtesy USGA ArchivesArnold Palmer’s impact on golf was matched by his remarkable record of 62 PGA Tour victories, the 5th most in history. Bursting onto the scene with his 1955 Canadian Open win, Palmer dominated the early 1960s, capturing 29 PGA Tour titles in just four seasons. His thrilling, go-for-broke style electrified television audiences and helped bring golf into the mainstream, turning him into one of the sport’s first global superstars. “The King” didn’t just win; he changed how the world watched and loved the game. Golffile Thos Caffrey / ImagoHogan ranks 4th on the PGA Tour’s all-time wins list with 64 victories, a record built through relentless precision and unmatched ball-striking. After early career struggles, Hogan rose to dominance in the 1940s and early 1950s, becoming the symbol of discipline in golf. His comeback from a life-threatening car crash in 1949 and return to winning form cemented his legacy. Cool under pressure and technically brilliant, “The Hawk” helped redefine the modern golf swing. Courtesy Ben Hogan Equipment Co.Jack Nicklaus stands 3rd on the PGA Tour’s all-time wins list with 73 victories, a total built through consistency, power, and dominance across three decades. His first PGA Tour win came at the 1962 U.S. Open, igniting a legendary rivalry with Arnold Palmer and launching one of the greatest careers in sports history. “The Golden Bear” became the standard of excellence, pairing an elite winning record with unmatched mental toughness and setting a benchmark that only Sam Snead and Tiger Woods have surpassed. Phil Sandlin, APTiger Woods shares the record for the most PGA Tour victories in history with 82 wins, matching Sam Snead. From his breakthrough as a 21-year-old major champion to his dominant stretches in the 2000s, Woods redefined peak performance in golf. Even after multiple back surgeries and major setbacks, he returned to the winner’s circle, capturing his 82nd title at the 2019 Zozo Championship. His unmatched combination of power, precision, and competitive intensity made him the most influential golfer of the modern era. Jeff Curry-USA TODAY SportsSam “Slammin’ Sammy” Snead remains one of golf’s greatest winners, with 82 PGA Tour victories still tied for the most in history alongside Tiger Woods. Famous for his smooth, powerful swing, Snead dominated across four decades, collecting 7 major championships, including three PGA Championships and three Masters titles. He was named PGA Player of the Year in 1949, won the Vardon Trophy four times, and led the PGA Tour money list three times. AP Photo/PGA
