Sources have confirmed to ESPN that the PGA Tour plans to host a global series three events that would have featured its top players competing to win purses of up to $25 million.
Aug. 1, the PGA Tour announced that the FedEx Cup points standings top 50 players, along with top performers from an unknown number of fall events, would be competing in three international tournaments. There would be limited fields and no cutoffs. The tour did no announce the locations or dates for the global events.
ESPN was told by a person familiar with the plans of this tour that it would instead concentrate its efforts on 13 tournaments that offer higher purses for top-ranked players. These include the FedEx Cup playoffs, Sentry Tournament of Champions and Genesis Invitational. Also, The Players Memorial Tournament, WGC–Dell Technologies Match Play, and four additional events that will rotate through existing PGA Tour competitions.
Commissioner Jay Monahan announced that the PGA Tours top golfers had been resigned last Wednesday. We are committed to participating in 20 eventsThese include the 13 high-profile events with average purses in excess of $20 million that will begin in 2023.
If they are eligible, players will compete in the four major championships and three other tour events to complete the 20-event calendar.
Monahan originally announced plans for an international series at a news conference held at the Travelers Championship on May 22. According to a source, the global series could be staged in the future. It would likely take place as a limited-field, no cut, non-points event.
According to the source, the addition of the four new elevated events would have made it too difficult for players who want to take more time off in fall after the FedEx Cup season ends in august.
Instead of the current wraparound schedule, the tour plans to return to a more structured schedule. It will shift from January to august in 2024. A yet-to be determined number of official tour events will take place in the fall following the FedEx Cup playoffs, which took place in August 2023.
All players with status are eligible to participate in these tournaments. However, those who are not in the top 70 will compete to earn FedEx Cup points and status for 2024. The FedEx Cup playoff events will be open to all players, except the top 70.
Spains PGA Tour members must include at least one member. Jon RahmRahm expressed concern about the requirement that players must play 20 events to be eligible for the $100,000,000 Player Impact Program bonuses. Rahm is also a participant in the DP World Tour. To be eligible for European Ryder Cup, Rahm must play four European events.
If we must play all 20, then yes, 100%. [its asking more of the European guys]Rahm stated that. Rahm said, I wouldn’t be surprised if this changes, because that puts my in a difficult situation. If I want to go to Europe in the fall, then I will have 20 games from January through August. This is my 17th. [tournament]From January [this year]I don’t think I could add more.
So yeah, especially Ryder Cup and having four European players, yeah, its a bit ask. I wouldnt be surprised if the rules are changed or an exception made for some players. They could do it for players like myself. Rory [McIlroy]They might have the responsibility of doing it for everyone.