PGA Tour Finalizes Relegation System for 2028 Championship Series... Only Top 90 Retain Cards

The PGA Tour has finalized the relegation system for the Championship Series, set to be introduced in 2028.

The PGA Tour announced on the 16th (KST) that 120 players will compete in the Championship Series (up to 24 tournaments), which features top-tier players, and only the top 90 players will retain their playing privileges for the following season.

Among the Championship Series competitors, the 20 players who fail to finish within the top 90 will be relegated to the lower-tier Challenger Series, while the top 20 players from the Challenger Series will be promoted to the Championship Series.

Players who win a Championship Series tournament, including The Players Championship and major championships, are guaranteed exemptions for the current season as well as the following two seasons.

Players who achieve multiple wins in a single season on the Challenger Series will be eligible for promotion to the Championship Series even during the season.

Additionally, the player ranked No. 1 in the PGA Tour Collegiate Ranking will immediately earn a spot in the Championship Series upon the conclusion of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championship, securing their playing privileges for the following season as well.

As the PGA Tour operates tournaments divided into the Championship Series and Challenger Series starting in 2028, the eligibility system for 2027 will also change.

Currently, the top 100 players in the FedEx Cup standings receive exemptions, but in 2027, only the top 95 players (and the top 90 starting in 2028) will be eligible to compete in the Championship Series.

Exemptions earned through victories up to this year will continue to be recognized in the Championship Series.

For example, this year's major championship winners will maintain their 5-year exemptions through 2031.

However, starting with winners of 2027 major championships, players will only receive a 2-year exemption.

(Photo provided by PGA Tour, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.