PGA Tour changes and the great Bernhard Langer

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1. Last week, the PGA Tour announced the members of some proposed changes that could happen in the 2026 season, some of which would hand out fewer tournament cards and reduce field sizes for some events. “I hate all the changes they’re making,” Justin Lower said last week. “It seems like every time I do something good, they make a difference.” Lower, due to his ranking, would be one of the players most likely to be affected if these changes go through, but with all the Signature Event changes, field size adjustments, and the constant change in men’s game recently, does he have a point about the tournament changing too much and running the risk of confusing the average fan? Is the constant change of the tournament good, bad or inevitable?

Nick Piastowski, Senior Editor (@nickpia): From a fan perspective, I guess it depends on what you like about the pro game. Do you like watching the stars and mostly household names week after week? Or do you prefer the occasional underdog? So in a nutshell, the dark horses can be squeezed out – but there is a strong possibility that the quality of play will improve, as it will be harder to hold a Tour card. As for me, I’m a fan of stories – and telling them! – and I think we’re going to lose some here.

Sean Zak, senior writer (@sean_zak): There is definitely one below point, but he will have to work hard to gain a ton of sympathy. He is simply not one of the top 40 or 60 or even 100 players in the world. The truth these days is that you have to be a good player for the system to always work in your favor. This is earned by very good golf.

Dylan Dethier, senior writer (@dylan_dethier): He definitely has a point. And obviously these changes come at a cost. But the PGA Tour — and its new major consultants — made this decision with fans and simplicity in mind. I think this adds clarity to a confusing system, which is a good thing. Still work to do, of course…

2. Another of the proposed changes was to change the route to the Tour, and 20 degrees Korn Ferry Tour will now receive PGA Tour cards instead of 30. The DP World Tour will again give 10 cards. In an interview Last week after the Tour’s proposed changes, DP World Tour boss Guy Kinnings said he wouldn’t be surprised if more Americans started considering joining the DP World Tour. Do you agree? And are there advantages and disadvantages in this scenario?

Piastowski: Yeah, I could see that. On the DP World Tour, the bags are bigger and the locations are more exotic. You can make a good living and travel the globe. But if your goal is the PGA Tour, 20 cards is still bigger than 10. I’m wondering how much things change.

Zack: Totally agree, but it will be the opposite. As in those who finish outside the top 125 on Tour first, then go to Europe, rather than those who come from college to Europe on their way to the Tour rankings. But as long as the bags at KFT are somewhat comparable, closer to home will be more convenient for most.

Dethier: This week’s DP World Tour field was a reminder that it’s hard to put this circuit in a box – it’s an epic global tour that’s also a feeder tour, an outing for the LIV boys and a part-time stop for some of the biggest stars in the world. world. I’m all for his fuller inclusion in the PGA Tour system … but there are still big identity questions to face. But as Rory McIlroy said this week, it’s a tournament with his options open.

3. Austin Eckroat won the World Tech Championship, defeating Justin Lower and Carson Young by one and Max Greyserman from two in Mexico. Greyserman spoke earlier in the week about his close calls and with his third-place finish here, he has now placed in the top five five times in his 27 career starts (including three second) and has yet to win on Tour. Is he the best current PGA Tour player without a win? Or does someone else hold that title?

Piastowski: I’m going to cheat a little here and go with Tommy Fleetwood – the seven-time DP World Tour winner and multiple Ryder Cupper has never won in stunning fashion on the PGA Tour. But if we’re playing things straight, give Denny McCarthy, probably the best player of the tournament. Golf is a tough game. All that being said, Grayserman is too talented not to win, and I think he’s quickly dropped from this list.

Zack: I think Greyserman needs to do more than just one season to win that title. It’s definitely the boy Tommy, as Nick points out. And it may not be close? Cameron Young also comes to mind.

Dethier: Let’s get more specific: He’s on the hottest current streak of anyone without a Tour win. There’s no guarantee that one will ever come, but Greyserman seems to be the total package. He’s high on every 2025 watch list.

4. Ageless wonder Bernhard Langer won the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday in Phoenix, extending his senior winning streak to 18 years and giving the 67-year-old pro his record 47th victory on the PGA Tour Champions. Given Langer’s talent and longevity, and the massive sums being made on the PGA Tour these days, is his PGA Champions Tour wins record (which can still be added to) something that will ever be broken?

Piastowski: No. Unless that guy who wears red on Sunday – who turns 49 next month! — commits to a full Champions League schedule.

Zack: It won’t break. It’s funny. I see the pro level of golf only developing more equity moving forward as well. Langer’s data is secure.

Dethier: The PGA Champions Tour is funny because your age works against you from the moment you make your debut. For everyone else, that is. Remarkable stuff and a testament to his discipline.

5. On Tuesday, GOLF will publish the latest Top 100 Courses in the US rankings, a list dating back decades. Why do you believe this ranking continues to be important to the sport?

Piastowski: All kinds of reasons! But perhaps the greatest is you, the golfer, wins. Courses usually want to be on these types of lists – so, in turn, you get better golf, better experiences, better everything. That said, here’s hoping we get better prices as well.

Zack: I think it’s because we love lists, and there are a lot of good things about this list. It allows for change when new courses come into play. It gives us all something to shoot for and talk about. Give us a reason to travel! It’s many things in one.

Dethier: It’s important because we love to talk about golf courses, compare them, and make lists of our favorites. Our Top 100 doesn’t have to be yours. It won’t be! But it’s a great jumping-off point for conversations, for arguments, for dreams … and maybe even for making plans. It is impossible to make a perfect list just as it is impossible to compare works of art. But it’s still worth giving it an old college try.

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