Padraig Harrington, who’s in Phoenix this week for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, appeared on Golf Channel’s Golf At the moment on Wednesday to debate present happenings in skilled golf.
One pertinent subject is the PGA Tour’s proposed modifications for the 2026 season, which might diminish area sizes at nearly each occasion, eradicate practically all Monday qualifiers, and decrease the variety of PGA Tour members from 125 to 100 in a given season.
So, when Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch requested Harrington about this improvement, the Irishman shook his head in disgust and instantly voiced his displeasure with the measure.
“Horrible. Simply horrible,” Harrington stated.
“It truly is. I can’t take into consideration how dangerous it’s. On the finish of the day, the individuals on the within are voting to maintain the factor tighter and extra closed… The tour was operating simply wonderful. I do know there’s a little bit little bit of stress to complete on time when fields go to 156 at sure occasions of the season or 144, however gamers will cope with it. They may deal with that. They put together for that. They know at the beginning of the 12 months [that they] may miss out on just a few event [rounds] due to gentle.”
When the PGA Tour despatched this memo to its membership final week, it cited the sluggish tempo of play—a problem that has plagued the tour for years—as the explanation for these modifications. Dozens of rounds end after darkish yearly, main many gamers to complete their remaining few holes early the next morning. That results in difficult and tiresome conditions, which appear to occur as a rule.
Harrington understands that and has skilled it firsthand. Nevertheless, he doesn’t perceive why the PGA Tour proposed these modifications. He feels for the underdog—the journeyman who has fought tooth and nail to have an opportunity at attaining his dream—a narrative that tons of of professionals like Harrington can resonate with.
“Gradual play is like driving in rush hour site visitors. It’s simply too many individuals on the golf course, and the tee occasions are too tight, so sure, it is a approach of fixing one of many huge points in golf, the tempo of play, however you need to give everyone the chance,” Harrington stated whereas releasing a large, disappointing sigh.
“If this was just like the [English Premier League], or the [English] Championship [League], and there was a extremely, actually good second tour, perhaps the European Tour might be that. Possibly it really works out. However to me, it undoubtedly appears to be like just like the individuals on the within are conserving it tighter.”
The Irishman additionally is aware of the significance of Monday qualifiers, as these mini 18-hole tournaments are held nearly each Monday earlier than a PGA Tour occasion. Those that achieve entry into these qualifiers are both younger professionals seeking to make it, these with out standing, or people who rank beneath a sure threshold within the standings. Consider these gamers exterior the FedEx Cup High 150, for example.
“Not having a Monday qualifier, c’mon, that’s one of the vital thrilling issues on the tour,” Harrington added.
“The cut-line can be one of the vital thrilling issues on the tour. It’s a horrible factor… slicing your exemption to 100 gamers. However I do know no-cut fields swimsuit the sponsors. They need the main names assured to be there on the weekend.”
However the PGA Tour appears to need its big-name gamers, too, a lot to Harrington’s dismay. His evaluation of the scenario aligns with former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, who referred to as the proposal “full crap” on Sirius XM earlier within the week. Glover went 10 years and not using a PGA Tour victory, so he is aware of all too nicely about what it feels wish to be on the surface.
Harrington does, too. He additionally believes that the tour had no purpose to make any modifications.
“I’ve to say tightening up fields is nice for the TV and dependability, however I assumed the system wasn’t damaged,” Harrington stated.
“Truthfully, I actually don’t suppose the system was damaged. Possibly if I had been within the prime 60, I’d be saying, ‘Hey, that is nice,’ however if you’re on the surface, it appears that evidently this isn’t an excellent transfer.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By means of. You’ll want to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
