Harrington brands proposed PGA Tour changes as "terrible" for the game

Padraig Harrington has branded proposals to reduce fields for PGA Tour events as "terrible" for the sport.

The PGA Tour Policy Board will this month vote on proposals to restrict playing fields from 2026 onwards, lowering the number of full-time members from 125 to 100 and cutting the number of spaces available to Monday qualifiers from four to two for 132-player events.

Fields would be restricted to 120 players prior to daylight saving time and then 132 after daylight saving time - measures which are partly aimed at combating slow play in over-crowded fields.

Speaking to Eamonn Lynch on the Golf Channel this week, Harrington lashed out at the proposals, indicating they were part of an effort to create a closed shop for those at the top of the game.

"Just terrible, it really is," the three-time major winner said.

"I can't think how bad it is. In the end of the day, the people who are inside are voting to keep the things tighter and more closed.

"I can't think about how bad it is. Sure, yeah, why don't we just have 12 people in the event, if I'm included, and everybody else can go home.

"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," he added.

"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."

Padraig Harrington gives his candid thoughts on the PGA TOUR's proposed changes.@eamonlynch @AnnaJacksonGC pic.twitter.com/wqtvztQtk3

Harrington acknowleded that no-cut fields benefitted sponsors in that highest profile players were guaranteed