PGA Tour adjustments and the nice Bernhard Langer 

Verify in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular matters within the sport, and be a 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 lowering discipline sizes for some occasions. “I hate all of the adjustments they’re making,” Justin Decrease stated final week. “Looks like anytime I do one thing good they make a change.” Decrease, resulting from 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 currently, does he have a degree in regards to the Tour altering an excessive amount of and even operating the danger of complicated the typical fan? Is the Tour’s fixed change good, dangerous, or inevitable?

Nick Piastowski, senior editor (@nickpia): From the fan’s perspective, I believe it relies on what you want in regards to the professional recreation. Do you get pleasure from watching the celebrities and principally acquainted names week in and week out? Or do you favor the occasional underdog? In a sentence, then, the darkish horses may get squeezed out — however there’s the robust chance 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 undoubtedly has a level, however he’s gonna must work fairly laborious 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 at all times working in your favor. That’s earned by actually good golf. 

Dylan Dethier, senior author (@dylan_dethier): He undoubtedly has a degree. And there’s undoubtedly a value to those adjustments. However the PGA Tour — and its big-time new consultants — have made this determination 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, in fact … 

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 a substitute 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 think about 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 may doubtlessly see that. On the DP World Tour, the purses are larger, and the areas are extra unique. You can also make dwelling 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 exterior the highest 125 on the Tour first, then head to Europe, slightly than these coming from school to Europe on their approach 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 discipline was a reminder that it’s powerful 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 among the largest stars on this planet. I’m all for incorporating it extra totally within the PGA Tour system … however there are nonetheless big-picture identification 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 Extensive 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 along with his third-place end right here, he’s now positioned within the prime 5 5 instances in his 27 profession begins (together with three 2nds) and nonetheless hasn’t gained on Tour. Is he the perfect 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, perhaps the Tour’s finest putter. Golf is a tough recreation. This all being stated, Greyserman’s too gifted to not win, and I’m pondering he jumps off this listing rapidly. 

Zak: I believe Greyserman must do it greater than only one season to earn that title. It’s undoubtedly Tommy lad, as Nick factors out. And it may not 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 whole bundle. He’s excessive on each watch listing for 2025.

4. Ageless surprise Bernhard Langer gained the Charles Schwab Cup Championship on Sunday in Phoenix, extending his senior-circuit successful 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 report (which may nonetheless be added to) one thing that may ever be damaged?

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

Zak: It won’t be damaged. It’s ridiculous. I see that degree of professional golf solely growing extra parity shifting ahead, too. Langer’s data are protected. 

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. Outstanding stuff and a testomony to his self-discipline.

5. On Tuesday, GOLF will launch its newest Prime 100 Programs within the U.S. rating, a listing that dates again many years. Why do you imagine this rating continues to be essential for the game?

Piastowski: Every kind of causes! However perhaps the largest is you, the golfer, wins. Programs usually need to be on these sorts of lists — so, in flip, you get higher golf, higher experiences, higher every part. 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 excellent stuff about this listing. It permits for change when new programs come into play. It offers us all one thing to shoot for and discuss. It offers us a purpose to journey! It’s loads of issues in a single. 

Dethier: It’s essential as a result of we love speaking about golf programs, and evaluating them, and making lists of our favorites. Our Prime 100 doesn’t must be yours. It gained’t be! However it’s an excellent jumping-off level for conversations, for debates, for desires … and perhaps even for planning. It’s inconceivable to make an ideal listing similar to it’s inconceivable to check items of artwork. However it’s price giving it the ol’ school attempt anyway.

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