Last week, the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council shared a new proposal that could significantly alter the structure of most PGA Tour events in 2026 by reducing the number of players in many tournament fields. The proposed changes have sparked widespread debate, with some players voicing their support while others, including Padraig Harrington, have strongly criticized the plan.
The Player Advisory Council cited several reasons for the proposed adjustments, including issues related to pace of play and the limitations of available daylight. These factors, they argued, necessitate a reduction in the number of players to ensure tournaments can be completed smoothly and on schedule.
If the proposal is approved, the following changes would be implemented:
- One-course full-field events would be capped at 144 players.
- One-course full-field events held prior to daylight saving time would generally be limited to 120 players.
- Full-field events held after daylight saving time, up until the Masters, would have field sizes of 132 players.
Under these new guidelines, tournaments such as the Sony Open in Hawaii, the WM Phoenix Open, and the Players Championship would be limited to 120 players, representing a reduction of 12 to 24 players compared to their current field sizes. Midsummer tournaments like the RBC Canadian Open, the John Deere Classic, and the Genesis Scottish Open would also see their fields reduced from 156 to 144 players.
This week, Padraig Harrington, a veteran of the sport and a well-respected figure in professional golf, shared his thoughts on the proposed changes prior to competing in the Charles Schwab Cup Championship. The Irishman did not hold back in his critique, expressing his belief that the changes would be detrimental to the sport.
“I can’t think about how bad it is,” Harrington said during an interview with Golf Channel. “At the end of the day, the people on the inside are voting to keep the thing tighter and more closed. The tour was running just fine.”
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Harrington acknowledged that there is some pressure to complete events on time, particularly when field sizes reach 156 or 144 players during certain parts of the season. However, he emphasized that players are fully capable of dealing with those conditions.
“I know there’s a little bit of pressure to finish on time when fields go to 156 at certain times of the season or 144, but players will deal with it. They will handle that. They prepare for that. They know at the start of the year they might miss out on a few tournament rounds because of light,” he explained.
Harrington went on to argue that slow play is not necessarily an issue that requires reducing the number of players, likening it to dealing with rush hour traffic.
“Slow play is like driving in rush hour traffic. It’s just too many people on the golf course, and the tee times are too tight, so yes, this is a way of solving one of the big issues,” he said. “But you want to give everybody the opportunity.”
The three-time major champion also expressed his concerns about the impact of the changes on the inclusivity of the PGA Tour, suggesting that the proposed reduction in field sizes would make the tour more exclusive and limit opportunities for aspiring players.
“If this was like the Premier League or the Championship, and there was a really, really good second tour, maybe the European Tour can be that. Maybe it works out. But to me, it definitely looks like the people on the inside are keeping it tighter,” Harrington remarked.
Harrington was particularly critical of the decision to potentially eliminate Monday qualifiers, which are events where players compete for a chance to join the main tournament field. He argued that these qualifiers are an essential and exciting part of the tour.
“Not having a Monday qualifier, c’mon, that’s one of the most exciting things on the tour. The cut line is also one of the most exciting things on the tour, but I know ‘no-cut’ fields suit the sponsors. They want the leading names guaranteed to be there on the weekend,” Harrington said.
Harrington’s sentiments are echoed by other players, such as Michael Kim, who have also voiced their opposition to the proposed changes.
Many players are concerned that these adjustments prioritize commercial interests over the competitive spirit of the game, potentially limiting opportunities for newcomers to make a name for themselves on the tour.
The debate over these proposed changes is likely to continue as players, officials, and stakeholders weigh the benefits of improving pace of play and ensuring timely tournament finishes against the potential downsides of reducing the number of players and making the tour more exclusive.
While the council believes that the changes are necessary to keep tournaments running efficiently, veteran players like Harrington are standing up to ensure that golf remains an open and inclusive sport for all competitors.
