The 2022–23 PGA Tour marked a significant chapter in the history of professional golf in the United States. As the 108th season of the PGA Tour, it was notable for being the final season with the wraparound format that had been in place since 2013–14. This season also saw record prize money and changes in eligibility for the FedEx Cup playoffs, reflecting the evolving landscape of professional golf.
Changes in Format and Prize Funds
The 2022–23 PGA Tour was the last to use the wraparound
format, which had been a staple since the 2013–14 season. This format allowed the tour to span two calendar years, but starting in 2024, the tour will return to a traditional calendar-year format. This change is expected to streamline the schedule and align the tour more closely with other major golf events.
In addition to format changes, the 2022–23 season was marked by record prize money. The tour announced increased purses for elevated events, reflecting the growing financial stakes in professional golf. On October 19, 2022, the tour further announced four additional events with elevated purses, underscoring the commitment to enhancing the competitive environment and rewarding top performers.
Eligibility and the FedEx Cup Playoffs
A significant change in the 2022–23 season was the reduction in the number of players competing in the FedEx Cup playoffs. Previously, 125 players competed, but this was reduced to 70. The top 70 players competed at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the top 50 at the BMW Championship, and the top 30 at the Tour Championship. Despite these changes, the eligibility for retaining PGA Tour cards remained the same, with the top 125 retaining full privileges.
This adjustment aimed to increase the competitiveness of the playoffs and ensure that only the best-performing players had the opportunity to compete for the FedEx Cup. The changes also maintained the integrity of the tour by ensuring that non-exempt players ranked 126–150th received conditional PGA Tour status.
LIV Golf Agreement and Future Implications
In June 2023, a significant development occurred with the announcement of a new entity created by the Public Investment Fund, the PGA Tour, and the European Tour. This agreement aimed to serve the best interests of each entity, potentially reshaping the future of professional golf.
Prior to the season, PGA Tour members who joined LIV Golf but did not resign their membership were informed that their membership would not be renewed for the 2022–23 season. This decision highlighted the ongoing tensions and negotiations between traditional golf tours and emerging entities like LIV Golf.
The 2022–23 PGA Tour season was a pivotal moment in professional golf, marked by changes in format, prize funds, and eligibility, as well as significant agreements that could influence the future of the sport.
