Is the PGA Tour ignoring the compelling underdog tales? As seen by his strong opposition to planned changes that could drastically alter the professional golf landscape, golf legend Padraig Harrington feels this way.
To deal with scheduling issues and slow play, the PGA Tour is thinking of cutting back on Monday qualifiers and field sizes. However, according to Harrington, these actions hurt the sport’s popularity and inclusivity. He makes the case in a recent tweet that these choices limit opportunities for up-and-coming talent while favoring established stars.
This has to be one of the strangest decisions of @pgatour when it comes to being in the entertainment business. If it was up to me I’d be focusing more on Monday qualifiers. There’s a movie script story nearly every week. I’d give the leading qualifier a tv draw and get a tv crew… https://t.co/Og5DI8Rczn
— Padraig Harrington (@padraig_h) February 4, 2025
“This has to be one of the strangest decisions of @pgatour when it comes to being in the entertainment business,” Harrington remarked. “If it was up to me, I’d be focusing more on Monday qualifiers. There’s a movie script story nearly every week. I’d give the leading qualifier a TV draw and get a TV crew to follow him for the week. I would do this even more so in the signature events. We could have a ‘tin cup’ story any given week. Could you imagine a struggling pro finishing in the top 10 and winning half a million? Nobody would begrudge that payout.”
Other golfers share Harrington’s worries. Critics contend that eliminating Monday qualifying and shrinking field sizes could impede the development of new talent and lessen the competitive spirit of the sport. A vote on the proposed amendments is scheduled for November 18, and they might be put into effect during the 2026 season. Voices like Harrington’s underscore the fine line that separates professional golf’s pursuit of innovation from tradition as the PGA Tour negotiates these potential adjustments.
This is a developing story…
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