PGA Tour finalizes 2028 Championship and Challenger Series criteria

The PGA Tour has finalized the eligibility and membership criteria for its new two-tier Championship and Challenger Series, set to debut in 2028. The system introduces promotion, relegation, and a flattened points structure, marking a significant overhaul of the professional golf landscape. Under the new model, the Championship Series will feature an average field of 120 players. The top 90 players from this series will retain their membership annually, while 20 players will be promoted each year from the Challenger Series. Winners of Championship Series events, the four major championships, and the Players Championship will receive a two-year exemption into the top tier, though exemptions will not stack for multiple wins in a single season. A key detail confirmed on September 15 is that golfers will only be allowed to compete on one track, either the Championship or Challenger Series, from 2028. This decision is likely to impact players like world number one Scottie Scheffler, who had previously expressed a desire to play in tournaments close to his heart, such as the CJ Cup Byron Nelson in Texas, which is unlikely to be part of the Championship Series schedule.