It's getting harder to stay on the PGA Tour. Here's why
The PGA Tour is making sweeping changes to its eligibility and it's only going to get more difficult to keep a tour card
By DOUG FERGUSON
Published - Nov 21, 2024, 06:40 PM ET
Last Updated - Dec 16, 2024, 05:15 PM EST
The PGA Tour is making the most sweeping changes to its eligibility in more than 40 years by eliminating 25 tour cards, along with shrinking the size of its fields.
The all-exempt tour had been in place since 1983, meaning the top 125 players from the official money list — now the FedEx Cup standings — kept a full PGA Tour card the following season.
That changes in 2026 after the PGA Tour policy board approved a new priority list on Monday.
Only the top 100 players will earn full tour cards for the following year. The top 30 from the developmental Korn Ferry Tour used to advance to the PGA Tour. That number now goes to 20. Five players from qualifying school will get cards — it previously was the top five and ties.
