PGA Tour finalizes relegation plan for Championship Series system, expected to launch in 2028.
On Wednesday (September 16), the tournament organizers announced information about the Championship Series – a system that gathers top golfers to compete in up to 24 tournaments. This system will include 120 golfers, of which 90 top players will hold a spot to compete for the next season.
The rest will have to play in the Challenger Series system, while the best golfers of this system will be promoted to the Championship Series.
The winners of the Championship Series – including The Players Championship and major tournaments – will secure the right to compete for that season and the next 2 seasons.
Golfers who win multiple Challenger Series tournaments in the same season can be promoted to the Championship Series in that same season.
Golfers at the top of the PGA Tour University student rankings will be given a special invitation to participate in the Championship Series right after the NCAA Championship, and also have the right to compete in the next season.
Golfers ranked from 2nd to 5th on the student rankings will receive the right to compete in the Challenger Series.
20 golfers leading in points at the Korn Ferry Tour will be promoted to compete in the Challenger Series.
The top 5 PGA qualifying tournament leaders will also participate in this Challenger Series.
The transition to a 2-level model in 2028 will also lead to changes in regulations to qualify for participation in 2027.
Currently, the top 100 golfers in the FedEx Cup rankings will hold a tournament card. The ranking threshold for winning a Championship Series spot will be Top 95 in 2027 and reduced to Top 90 in 2028.
Exemptions obtained by winning in 2026 or earlier will still be valid in the Championship Series.
For example, major league champions this year will still retain the right to compete for 5 years, lasting until the end of 2031.
However, starting from 2027, major league champions will only enjoy this right for the next 2 seasons.
