PGA Tour to Split Competition into Championship and Challenger Series in 2028
The PGA Tour has unveiled the membership criteria and points structure for its new competitive format, which will take effect in the 2028 season. Under the plan, the current single-tier structure will be divided into the elite Championship Series and the Challenger Series, which will serve as a pathway to promotion.
The overhaul centers on promotion and relegation based on performance. Players’ series assignments for the following season will be determined by their season points, while the value of wins and high finishes is set to become more clearly defined.
Championship Series to Feature the World’s Best Players
The PGA Tour Championship Series will be the top-level circuit, with eligibility for approximately 130 players. The regular season is expected to run from around February through August and will include regular events, The Players Championship, the four major championships, international team events and a revamped playoff.
The 2028 Championship Series will feature fields averaging 120 players. Regular events will be played over 72 holes of stroke play, with a cut to the top 65 players and ties after 36 holes. The minimum total purse for regular events will be $20 million.
There will be no alternate list or sponsor exemptions in the Championship Series. The Players Championship and the major championships, however, may continue to apply separate eligibility criteria set by their governing organizations.
Membership to Be Determined by Retention, Promotion and Wins
Championship Series membership will be awarded through several pathways. The primary route will be retaining membership through a high finish in the previous season’s points standings, supplemented by top Challenger Series players, multiple winners, Championship Series event winners, and limited medical and career-based exemptions.
- The top 90 players in the previous season’s Championship Series points standings
- The top 20 players in the Challenger Series season points standings
- Players who win twice in a single Challenger Series season
- Two-year membership awarded to Championship Series event winners
- Players granted limited medical or career-based exemptions
- Three additional players through the fall “Last Chance” series
Players who win a Championship Series event will receive membership for the current season and the following two seasons. Multiple wins in the same season will not extend the exemption beyond two years.
Challenger Series to Serve as PGA Tour’s Promotion Pathway
The Challenger Series will be contested by emerging players as well as those relegated from the Championship Series the previous year who are seeking a return to the top level. Fields will generally consist of 144 players, with an alternate list and some open qualifying opportunities available.
Key eligibility groups for the Challenger Series will include players relegated from the previous year’s Championship Series, players who finished 21st through 90th in the previous year’s Challenger Series points standings, the top 20 players from the Korn Ferry Tour, players finishing second through fifth in PGA Tour University, and the top five players from Q-School, among others.
The top 20 players in the Challenger Series season points standings will earn Championship Series membership for the following season. Players who win twice in a single Challenger Series season may also secure an opportunity for midseason promotion.
Points System to Be Simplified While Increasing Rewards for Performance
The Championship Series will use the same basic points structure for every event. The goal is to move away from the current system, in which points vary substantially by event type, and to assign more consistent value to wins, high finishes and making the cut.
The new points distribution is designed to increase rewards for strong finishes while flattening the curve so that the rankings are not overly determined by results at one or two specific events. Players will need to make cuts consistently and post strong finishes throughout the season to retain their membership.
The Challenger Series will use a separate points standings system. Additional points are expected to be awarded at Challenger Series events held during weeks without a major championship or Championship Series event. The specific Challenger Series points distribution will be finalized at a later date.
Transitional Criteria Set for the Inaugural 2028 Season
Eligibility for the 2028 season will be based on 2027 performance and existing winner exemptions. The criteria for securing Championship Series eligibility will include the top 70 players when the 2027 FedExCup Playoffs conclude, along with the top 95 players in FedExCup fall-season points.
Players who earned two-year exemptions by finishing in the top 30 of the 2026 FedExCup will also retain their eligibility through 2028. Winners of 2027 events, as well as results from Q-School, the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour University, will also be factored into the new membership structure.
Players who lose Championship Series eligibility after the season will have one final opportunity through the fall “Last Chance” series. The series is expected to consist of at least four events, with three Championship Series cards available.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the PGA Tour Championship Series in 2028?
It will be the PGA Tour’s top-level series, featuring the world’s best players. The schedule is expected to include regular events, The Players Championship, the four major championships, international team events and the playoffs.
Is the Challenger Series the same as the existing Korn Ferry Tour?
No. The Challenger Series will be the PGA Tour’s second competitive tier, with promotion to the Championship Series as its primary goal. The Korn Ferry Tour will remain a separate developmental tour below it.
How many players will be promoted from the Challenger Series to the Championship Series?
The top 20 players in the season points standings will earn Championship Series membership for the following season. Additional promotion routes may be available for multiple winners and event champions.
How will the Championship Series points system change?
A consistent points structure will be used across all Championship Series events. The system will provide clearer rewards for wins, high finishes and making the cut, while reducing differences in points awarded by event.
Can relegated players return to the PGA Tour’s top level?
Yes. Relegated players will compete in the Challenger Series and can earn a promotion opportunity by finishing in the top 20 in season points or winning twice in a single season.
What is the Last Chance series?
It is a fall series for players who lose Championship Series eligibility after the regular season and want another opportunity to qualify. It will consist of at least four events, with three Championship Series memberships available.
