PGA Tour adjustments and the good Bernhard Langer 

Test in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular subjects within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we focus on and extra.  

1. Final week, the PGA Tour notified members of a number of proposed adjustments that might happen within the 2026 season, a few which might be handing out fewer Tour playing cards and decreasing subject sizes for some occasions. “I hate all of the adjustments they’re making,” Justin Decrease stated final week. “Looks as if anytime I do one thing good they make a change.” Decrease, because of his rating, could be one of many gamers almost definitely affected if these adjustments undergo, however with all of the Signature Occasion tweaks, field-size changes and fixed change within the males’s recreation these days, does he have a degree in regards to the Tour altering an excessive amount of and even working the chance of complicated the typical fan? Is the Tour’s fixed change good, unhealthy, or inevitable?

Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): From the fan’s perspective, I believe it is dependent upon what you want in regards to the professional recreation. Do you take pleasure in watching the celebs and largely acquainted names week in and week out? Or do you like the occasional underdog? In a sentence, then, the darkish horses would possibly get squeezed out — however there’s the sturdy risk that the standard of play will enhance, because it’ll be tougher to maintain a Tour card. As for me, I’m a fan of tales — and telling them! — and I believe we’ll lose some right here. 

Sean Zak, senior author (@sean_zak): Decrease positively has a level, however he’s gonna need to work fairly exhausting to earn a ton of sympathy. He’s simply not one of many 40 or 60 and even prime 100 golfers on this planet. The reality lately is you want to be a prime participant to have the system all the time working in your favor. That’s earned by actually good golf. 

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): He positively has a degree. And there’s positively a price to those adjustments. However the PGA Tour — and its big-time new consultants — have made this choice with followers and with simplicity in thoughts. I believe this provides readability to a complicated system, which is an effective factor. Nonetheless work to do, after all … 

2. One other one of many proposed adjustments was tweaking the pathway to the Tour, and 20 Korn Ferry Tour grads will now obtain PGA Tour playing cards as an alternative of 30. The DP World Tour will as soon as once more award 10 playing cards. In an interview final week following the Tour’s proposed adjustments, DP World Tour chief Man Kinnings stated it wouldn’t shock him if extra Individuals began to contemplate becoming a member of the DP World Tour. Do you agree? And are there benefits and downsides to this state of affairs?

Piastowski: Yeah, I might probably see that. On the DP World Tour, the purses are larger, and the areas are extra unique. You may make an excellent residing and journey the globe. But when your aim is the PGA Tour, 20 playing cards continues to be larger than 10. I’m questioning how a lot issues change. 

Zak: Completely agree, however it’ll be in reverse. As in those that end outdoors the highest 125 on the Tour first, then head to Europe, somewhat than these coming from faculty to Europe on their method to the Tour ranks. However so long as the purses on the KFT are considerably comparable, the proximity to house goes to be a greater match for many. 

Dethier: This week’s DP World Tour subject was a reminder that it’s robust to place this circuit in a field — it’s an epic international tour that’s additionally a feeder tour, an outlet for LIV guys and a part-time cease for a few of the largest stars on this planet. I’m all for incorporating it extra absolutely within the PGA Tour system … however there are nonetheless big-picture id questions it has to confront. However as Rory McIlroy stated this week, it’s a tour with its choices open.

3. Austin Eckroat gained the World Large Expertise Championship, besting Justin Decrease and Carson Younger by one and Max Greyserman by two in Mexico. Greyserman talked earlier within the week about his shut calls, and together with his third-place end right here, he’s now positioned within the prime 5 5 occasions in his 27 profession begins (together with three 2nds) and nonetheless hasn’t gained on Tour. Is he one of the best present PGA Tour participant and not using a victory? Or does another person maintain that title?

Piastowski: I’ll cheat right here a bit and go together with Tommy Fleetwood — the seven-time DP World Tour winner and multiple-time Ryder Cupper has stunningly by no means gained on the PGA Tour. But when we’re taking part in issues straight up, gimme Denny McCarthy, possibly the Tour’s finest putter. Golf is a tough recreation. This all being stated, Greyserman’s too proficient to not win, and I’m considering he jumps off this record shortly. 

Zak: I believe Greyserman must do it greater than only one season to earn that title. It’s positively Tommy lad, as Nick factors out. And it won’t be shut? Cameron Younger involves thoughts, too. 

Dethier: Let’s get extra particular: He’s on the most popular present run of anybody and not using a Tour win. There’s no assure one will ever come, however Greyserman appears to be the entire bundle. He’s excessive on each watch record for 2025.

4. Ageless marvel Bernhard Langer gained the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday in Phoenix, extending his senior-circuit profitable streak to 18 years and giving the 67-year-old professional his record-extending forty seventh win on PGA Tour Champions. Given Langer’s expertise and longevity and the mass sums being made on the PGA Tour lately, is his PGA Tour Champions win document (which might nonetheless be added to) one thing that may ever be damaged?

Piastowski: No. Until that dude who wears purple on Sunday — who turns 49 subsequent month! — commits to a full Champions schedule. 

Zak: It is not going to be damaged. It’s ridiculous. I see that degree of professional golf solely creating extra parity shifting ahead, too. Langer’s data are secure. 

Dethier: The PGA Tour Champions is humorous as a result of your age works towards you from the second you make your debut. For everybody else, that’s. Exceptional stuff and a testomony to his self-discipline.

5. On Tuesday, GOLF will launch its newest High 100 Programs within the U.S. rating, an inventory that dates again many years. Why do you consider this rating continues to be vital for the game?

Piastowski: Every kind of causes! However possibly the largest is you, the golfer, wins. Programs sometimes wish to be on these sorts of lists — so, in flip, you get higher golf, higher experiences, higher every thing. That stated, right here’s hoping we get higher costs, too. 

Zak: I believe it’s as a result of we love lists, and there’s a ton of fine stuff about this record. It permits for change when new programs come into play. It provides us all one thing to shoot for and discuss. It provides us a purpose to journey! It’s lots of issues in a single. 

Dethier: It’s vital as a result of we love speaking about golf programs, and evaluating them, and making lists of our favorites. Our High 100 doesn’t need to be yours. It gained’t be! But it surely’s an ideal jumping-off level for conversations, for debates, for goals … and possibly even for planning. It’s inconceivable to make an ideal record identical to it’s inconceivable to check items of artwork. But it surely’s value giving it the ol’ faculty strive anyway.

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