Bold new PGA model would bring relegation model to the tour

The PGA Tour could soon receive a much-needed makeover after the reveal of a bold future model.

On Wednesday, ESPN's Mark Schlabach reported that officials are inching closer to a plan that would have major ramifications on the sport, introducing a relegation system akin to club level international soccer leagues.

Per Schlabach, the change could be implemented in 2028 and would feature two tracks (Track One and Track Two) "with players competing to remain on the top track and golfers in the lower track fighting to move up the next season.

"The PGA Tour's policy board would have to approve changes," Schlabach continued.

Two-track model would be a huge win for PGA Tour and fans

PGA Tour chief executive officer Brian Rolapp previously discussed a remodeled PGA Tour in March 2026, telling reporters at the time, "It is by no means a baked cake. There are simple areas we are starting to see meaningful consensus.

"What we envision is a merit-based system that leans into what makes professional golf so compelling — players earning their way to the top, with every event having great meaning," Rolapp added, per Associated Press golf writer Doug Ferguson.

The Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard first reported the proposal being received by the tour's player advisory council, and he provided further details, noting Track One would consist of roughly 120-130 players, with the top 90 in tour points at the end of the season remaining on the top circuit. Track Two would take the Korn Ferry Tour's place as the tour's second level while creating a more consistent product, which could drive interest in the less heralded side of the tour.

As The Athletic's Brody Miller wrote, "In the current system, it's difficult to know who will be in any given tournament...In this model...players outside 120 (or 130)...would play full-time on Track 2."

Interest in non-major Track One events would also increase as fans tune in to find out who makes the season cut and who gets knocked down a track. The permanent re-introduction of the 36-hole cut would also fuel early-round stakes at all events.

A major question is what kind of buy-in the PGA Tour can get from sponsors. On Tuesday, Golfweek's Adam Schupak reported that some, including Rocket Mortgage, are hesitant to embrace the change.

Schupak noted that the cost to sponsor a Track Two event would be between $12M-$15M, which is viewed as "too much...for the field they'd get."

While the tour still has convincing to do, a promotion/relegation model seems like a potential massive win. Timing it for the 2028 season could also be extremely beneficial with the PGA's media rights deal running through 2030. That would give prospective buyers two years worth of data to see how the system works. If it's a hit, the price tag could skyrocket, providing more money for tourney purses.

The revised model could be just what the PGA needs as it enters what may soon be a post-LIV Golf future. It might make golf's premier tour even stronger.