The PGA Tour has officially announced its membership eligibility requirements for the 2028 season, which will be the first to feature the new two-track model that separates players into the Championship Series and Challenger Series. Given the quick transition from the current competitive structure to the one set to be implemented in 2028, the PGA Tour's 2027 season will feature unique eligibility guidelines before permanent criteria are introduced. "From the beginning, we set out to preserve the meritocracy that makes our sport unique by creating a system where performance dictates opportunity," PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said in a release.
"Through new eligibility criteria and supporting pathways into the PGA Tour, the new competitive model is designed to reward excellence and ensure there is always a clear path for top performers at every stage of their career. For fans, this means a clear understanding of what is at stake during each PGA Tour competition, whether that is at an event or across a season." The Championship Series and Challenger Series will run concurrently with players able to move between the competitions annually based on performance. The restructured system promotes upward mobility along with relegation to keep membership fresh and competitive.
The Championship Series will feature fields of top performers, accomplished veterans and exciting young stars, while the Challenger Series will feature fields of accomplished players fighting their way back into the upper echelon of the sport and rising talent climbing into the professional ranks. Initial membership in the Championship Series and Challenger Series will be determined by performance across the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Membership is valid only for 2028 unless otherwise indicated.
Players will be eligible to compete in all Championship Series events, though the Masters, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, Open Championship and The Players Championship may maintain their own criteria. Tournaments will neither backfill nor hold alternate lists should a player withdraw.
No sponsor exemptions will be granted, either. Going forward, the Championship Series will include 114 players with additional qualifiers, including: Season-long points will be awarded to the top 65 finishers in each qualifying Championship Series tournament to emphasize the importance of making the cut and sustaining successful performances throughout the season. The winner will earn 300 points, while the 10th-place finisher will earn 100 points.
Those who finish in 65th-place will earn 30 points. Any non-member who finishes inside the necessary cutoff will not earn points; instead, they will only be eligible to earn points after being promoted to the Championship Series. The "last chance" series will be held over at least four events in the fall.
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