Saturday, October 3, 2026
  • -
    days
  • -
    hours
  • -
    minutes
  • -
    seconds

PGA Tour Increases Purse Sizes, Alters Format In Response to LIV

  • The PGA Tour is changing the format and qualifications of designated events in an attempt to retain top golf talent.
  • Prize purses will grow from $20 million at designated events.
Golf bag leaning on PGA Tour signage
Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports

Want more from Front Office Sports
in your search results?

Add Front Office Sports on Google

Change is afoot at the PGA Tour.

The Tour’s policy board voted Tuesday to make a series of stark changes to the size and qualifications of events. 

Commissioner Jay Monahan said the changes will “transform and set the future direction” for the PGA Tour.

  • The 2024 season will have eight designated events with fields of 70-78 players. These will be in addition to the majors, Players, and three FedExCup Playoffs events.
  • Prize purses will be larger for these designated events. This year, they have minimum prize purses of $20 million.
  • They will not have a 36-hole cut, allowing every player to compete in all four rounds.

“Over the last year, we have spent a massive amount of time exploring how to better position the PGA Tour for continued growth,” Monahan wrote. “How to further showcase our top performers, while staying true to the meritocracy and legacy that define the Tour.”

Cameron Smith Celebrates LIV Golf tournament win with Greg Norman

Saudi Arabia Filing in LIV Golf Case Causes Premier League Outcry

LIV’s case against the PGA Tour has rankled the Premier League.
March 2, 2023

The changes could help the Tour to better compete with LIV Golf for talent, which has lured big names with huge bonuses and prize offerings, and a guaranteed place in its events. LIV uses a 54-hole, no-cut format.

The PGA Tour will also no longer require top players to participate in certain events.

“I want to give everyone a fair shake at this, which I think this structure has done,” Rory McIlroy said about the designated event format. “It’s trying to get the top guys versus the hot guys, right? I think that creates a really compelling product.”

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Sign up for
The Memo Newsletter

Get the biggest stories and best analysis on the business of sports delivered to your inbox twice every weekday and twice on weekends.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

How the Baseball Cap Became a ‘Behemoth’

The hat has become essential for athletes, fans, and the sports-agnostic.

U.S. Presidents Cup Comeback Delivers Viewership Boost for NBC

NBC drew two million viewers for the final round.
Sep 25, 2026; Medinah, Illinois, USA; Scottie Scheffler of the U.S. Team tees off on the first hole during the second round of the Presidents Cup.

Why Tennis Australia Is Running the Next Presidents Cup in 2028

The 2028 Presidents Cup will take place in Melbourne.
Jun 26, 2026; Chaska, Minnesota, USA; Charley Hull reacts to her putt on the third hole during the second round of the KPMG Women's PGA Championship golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images

Saudi PIF Cuts $15M Series From Ladies European Tour

The PIF Global Series has five LET events this year.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

A Conversation with Randy Levine on the Yankees’ $2.6B Apollo Deal and the Protect College Sports Act

0:00

Featured Today

Morishita-Sato-homerun-celebration-at-Meiji-Jingu-Baseball-Staidum-2025

Japanese Baseball Is Fighting Back Against MLB Talent Drain

Nippon Professional Baseball is reimagining how to be a global juggernaut.
Aug 9, 2026; Bedminster, New Jersey, USA; President Donald Trump walks out of the clubhouse during the final round of the LIV Golf New York tournament at Trump National Bedminster.
September 25, 2026

Trump’s Year of Sports Gets Busier With CFB, Presidents Cup

The impact of Trump’s attendance varies across each sporting event.
A Bar of Their Own
September 25, 2026

Women’s Sports Bars: Novelty Has Worn Off, ‘That’s a Good Thing’

They’re leveling up, but sustainability remains the first consideration.
Hot & Social/Mets
September 18, 2026

Sports Teams Are Playing a New Role: Matchmaker

The latest promotion at the stadium? Love.
Exclusive
September 18, 2026

Vicious Infighting Is Jeopardizing the Future of Women’s Baseball

The WPBL’s own CEO admits there’s a “power struggle.”

NFL Unsportsmanlike Conduct Fines Way Down in Week 3

Only 5 players were fined, compared to 13 after Week 2.
Feb 9, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers owner Jed York at the Super Bowl LX host committee handoff press conference at Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
October 2, 2026

NFL Suspends Jed York 6 Games After Prostitution Sting Arrest

The 49ers owner was also fined $500,000.
Sep 27, 2026; Rio De Janeiro, BRA; A tifo featuring images of
First at FOS
October 2, 2026

NFL, NFLPA Yet to Hold Real Talks on More Games Abroad

The CBA requires consultation with the union.
Sponsored

Beyond the Scorecard: How Dow Is Putting Purpose at the Center of Women’s Golf

Discover how Dow and the LPGA are building a partnership with lasting impact.
Sep 27, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay looks on during the first half against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.
October 2, 2026

Sean McVay’s Comments About Call Raise Questions About NFL Policy

Discussions between teams and the NFL are not always treated as confidential.
October 2, 2026

WNBA Faces Ratings Test Without Caitlin Clark, Fever

Indiana was eliminated from the playoffs Thursday by the Las Vegas Aces.
Sep 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (12), outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) and catcher Austin Wells (28) celebrate after defeating the Boston Red Sox in game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium.
October 2, 2026

NBC Scored Record Viewership With MLB Wild-Card Round

The initial wild-card games set a series of viewership milestones.
A moose forages for food at Schwabacher Landing in Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming.
October 2, 2026

MLB Ends Grand Teton Game Talks After Wyoming Officials Object

The early-stage consideration generated heavy pushback.