MCKINNEY, Texas — Tradition versus tiers came into sharper focus before the start of the CJ Cup Byron Nelson, which teed off under cloudy skies Thursday at newly renovated TPC Craig Ranch.
The Sports Business Journal reported Tuesday that PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp met with players at the Truist Championship two weeks ago and explained more details of the potential for a two-track system. The top track would include 23 elevated events (including majors and the playoffs) with 120-player fields at regular-season tournaments; the second track would have 20 tournaments and 140-man fields.
Rolapp again met with a few dozen players in the TPC Craig Ranch clubhouse on Tuesday to go over his plan and answer questions.
“It was a lot of talking points, but they definitely have an idea with what they want to do with the tier,” Eric Cole said. “If they go to 120 players, that’s going to eat into the level of players here. It’s certainly more people than you have now in the designated events.”
There’s still much to sort out; and some events are curious what their future might hold.
“I would think this would be a lower-tier tournament,” said Tour veteran Joel Dahmen, while practicing on the putting green. “It’s just a tough time of the schedule for a lot of people. They would have to be willing to change the date in the schedule to get a better field.”
Indeed, this week’s tournament — named for one of golf’s all-time legends — falls the week after the PGA Championship and lacks star power.
Dallas native and defending champion Scottie Scheffler is in the field, but the World No. 1 is the only player in the top 20 of the Official World Golf Ranking teeing it up. Scheffler and Si Woo Kim are the only players in the top 20 of the FedEx Cup standings. There are only three players — Dallas’ Jordan Spieth is the third — in the world top 50 this week.
“I have a lot of strong feelings for this tournament, and I hope nothing but the best for it,” Scheffler said Wednesday. “But like I said, a lot of those decisions [about its future] aren’t in my hands. If the Tour wants my opinion, I have nothing but great things to say about this event.”
CJ Cup Byron Nelson tournament director Jon Drago said he did not attend Rolapp’s Tuesday session, but he has previously said he’d be willing to move the tournament date if needed (a date for next year’s event has yet to be announced). Another interesting schedule wrinkle is that next year’s PGA Championship is already set for May 20-23 at PGA Frisco East, just 15 miles west of TPC Craig Ranch.
The Tour has yet to announce some of the 2027 Florida tournament dates, meaning the Byron Nelson and next week’s Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial could be held anywhere from March to May.
“This tournament could be in some trouble,” said Tony Finau, who did not attend the Tuesday meeting. “You just have to see what could happen and what the Tour is thinking.”
Added Cole: “What’s best for the Tour, what’s best for the players, the fans, TV, just a lot of ideas they’re working on.”
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