While the PGA Tour takes its time finalizing the remaining Championship Series events that will begin in 2028, one potential beneficiary of the new two-tiered schedule could be PGA Tour Champions.
“We might pick up some tournaments that don’t stay,” predicted senior tour veteran Scott McCarron. “Pick up some tour-caliber venues that make us stronger.”
The 50-and-over circuit already has landed one notable addition, adding the Sony Open Championship as its season-opening event in 2027 after the longtime PGA Tour stop was dropped from the schedule following this season. David Toms, a member of the PGA Tour Champions Player Advisory Council, explained why some tournaments could find a move to the senior circuit appealing.
“If they don’t want to be
a secondary tour event and they want to entertain, we play our pro-ams even in the rain,” Toms said as showers fell in Palm Coast, Florida, on the eve of Furyk & Friends. “A tournament like New Orleans, the Zurich Classic: Does it want to put up $30 million to be a premier event? Does it want to pay half of that and have a secondary event where no one knows who’s playing? Or does it want to be a Champions Tour event for $6 million and have a good time with its customers in New Orleans and play with people you’ve heard of, like Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington and Zach Johnson?”
Paul Goydos, who will celebrate the 20th anniversary of his victory at Waialae next year, joined PGA Tour Champions President Miller Brady at a media event in Hawaii several weeks ago. Goydos acknowledged that the greater name recognition of many Champions Tour players could be attractive to sponsors, but he questioned whether such a scenario would ultimately benefit the PGA Tour as it works to fill out its Challenger Series schedule.
“Does the Tour really want the Champions Tour talking to those tournaments before they adamantly say no?” Goydos said.
“From a business-model standpoint, there might be some incentive. Sony is going to have all of its customers out there for a couple of days,” he added, noting that Champions Tour events typically feature a two-day pro-am compared with a single day on the PGA Tour. “From a customer-entertainment standpoint, I doubt there is anything out there that compares to us.”
So far, the PGA Tour has primarily announced the winners of the Championship Series selection process. The Hawaii Swing events, the Rocket Classic in Detroit and FedEx's removal from consideration as a playoff title sponsor in Memphis have been among the notable casualties. But more disappointment appears inevitable if the Tour follows through on its plan. Despite receiving interest from 14 tournaments, only four spots remained available in the Championship Series' top tier.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp announced in August that the Tour plans to unveil its complete 2028 schedule on Feb. 27 during a live broadcast from its headquarters in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Until then, the senior tour remains in a wait-and-see mode.
Brady said he is not actively soliciting tournaments, but he acknowledged receiving inquiries from events considering a move to the senior circuit.
“I don’t want to be seen as taking anything away from the PGA Tour,” Brady said. “They need to come to their own conclusion, and then I’m happy to have that discussion. If it’s a good fit, let’s try to figure something out.
“Our schedule is pretty full, but we can find a way for them to come on board.”
Adam Schupak is a senior writer for Golfweek, covering the PGA Tour.
This article originally appeared on Golfweek: ‘Pick up some Tour-caliber venues’: Champions Tour pros see upside in PGA Tour overhaul
