PGA Tour fields could be smaller in most tournaments in 2026 with fewer fully exempt players, under proposals suggested by the Tour’s Player Advisory Council.

illustrated sports obtained a copy of the PAC memo, which explains the reduction in field sizes around issues of daylight, pace of play and operations, among other logistics. According to the proposal, adjustments to field sizes include:

Under those guidelines, for example, the Sony Open in Hawaii, the WM Phoenix Open and the Players Championship would all have 120 players, a reduction of 12 to 24 players from the current size. Summer events such as the RBC Canadian Open, John Deere Classic and Genesis Scottish Open, among others, would see their fields reduced from 156 players to 144.

AND By filling these smaller fields there will be fewer exempt players.as the number of full PGA Tour exemptions that has been 125 for decades is proposed to be reduced to 100, compiled from the previous season’s FedEx Cup points list. There will be a conditional category for players from 101 to 125 on the points list. Total exemptions for Korn Ferry Tour graduates are proposed to decrease from 30 to 20.

The top 10 finishers who are not exempt from the DP World Tour Race to Dubai qualification will continue to receive exemptions from the PGA Tour, as will the top 5 finishers from the Tour qualifying tournament plus the top player from the PGA Tour University qualification.

If approved, all changes would come into effect from 2026.