Relegation, enhanced postseason part of Rolapp's PGA Tour vision - ESPN

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said Wednesday that he envisions a future tour with two tracks of tournaments that potentially would relegate and promote golfers based on meritocracy within a revamped schedule, which would include more events in larger markets and a retooled postseason that might feature match play.

Rolapp, speaking to reporters at PGA Tour headquarters ahead of this week's Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass, warned that the tour's Future Competition Committee, which is being led by Tiger Woods, is still finalizing the plan and isn't a «baked cake.»

Rolapp said none of the tour's player-led boards have approved the plans. He said some changes could be implemented before the 2027 season, while others might have to wait until 2028.

«The committee's focus has been on a competitive model built on meritocracy,» Rolapp said. «This is not a closed shop. We are aiming to create a more cohesive schedule with a simpler points system, one where the best players compete against one another more frequently.

»Fans know who the best players are. They are the players who perform best on the course. Our competitive model will be built around elevating those who prove themselves to be the top performers inside the ropes."

Rolapp said six themes had emerged during the committee's discussions on what the PGA Tour's future might look like:

• The PGA Tour season would begin in late January and end in early September, before the NFL season kicks off. Future schedules would potentially include 21 to 26 tournaments within the first track of elevated events, in which top golfers would compete for the biggest purses.

The 2026 PGA Tour schedule includes 45 events, when counting the four majors, Players