Tiger Woods helps rip up PGA Tour model with $20million move in first public appearance since crash

Tiger Woods has helped to announce a major revamp of the PGA Tour’s competitive structure starting from the 2028 season.

Golf’s biggest stars will move between two series in the calendar year – the PGA Tour Championship Series and the PGA Tour Challenger Series.

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The two series, which will run concurrently during the season, will feature a promotion and relegation system.

Brought in to increase the level of competition, the new model is also hoped to make a more compelling experience for fans across the globe.

The Championship Series will be the premier competition – running from February until approximately August.

It will include 24 events – 16 of which are signature events – including all four majors, the Players Championship and international season-ending events [Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup].

As what has been standard, tournaments will be a 72-hole format with cuts taking place after 36 holes to the top 65, with an average field of 120 golfers.

Each event will have a purse of at least $20million [£15m].

It has also been announced that at minimum, the top 90 players in the new points list will retain their status on the Championship Series.

Those that miss out face relegation to the Challenger Series, of which, a minimum of the top 20 will gain promotion.

The new structure was approved and pushed through by Woods – the current chairman of the Future Competition Committee.

What has been said about the new PGA Tour structure?

Woods had temporarily paused his chairman duties while he sought rehabilitation treatement at a facility in Switzerland.

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Woods, who was arrested and charged with driving under the influence following a rollover car crash in Florida in March, appeared in front of the press to announce the news.

He said: “This work was bigger than any one player or person – it was about designing the strongest possible version of the PGA Tour for the future generations of fans and players.

“From the beginning, the committee’s focus was on delivering a better experience for our fans, while creating a model that best sets up the tour, its players and its partners for long-term success and stability.”

It marks the 15-time major winner’s first public appearance since the crash, Woods returned from Switzerland earlier this month to be with his girlfriend Vanessa Trump, following her breast cancer announcement.

At the end of his opening remarks, Woods handed over to PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, who said “I think I can speak for everyone in that we are happy to see you back.”

Speaking on the major revamp, Rolapp remarked: “From day one, the focus of the Future Competition Committee has been to build the best version of the PGA TOUR, and to do so in a way that reflects the voice of our players and the expectations of our fans.

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“The result is a new competitive model grounded in meritocracy, with clearer pathways, higher stakes and more consistency when the best players compete together.”

World number two and current Masters champion Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, said: “Today’s announcement is a positive step for professional golf.

“As more details emerge, it is encouraging to see the PGA Tour reaffirming the importance of meritocracy and creating a structure that will serve both players and fans well into the future. I’ve always been proud to compete around the world, and the collaboration between the PGA Tour and DP World Tour is one founded in the betterment of the game globally.

“The commitment to elevate some of these historic international tournaments and national opens is incredibly important for the game and something I’m very supportive of.

“Over the last few years, golf has faced a period of uncertainty and division, which has not been in the best interests of the players, or the fans of the game.

“Today, we are putting the fans first, and I am excited about the future of our sport.”

More to follow…

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