The PGA Tour is expected to adjust the mandatory participation requirement for its Player Impact Program.
It was just a few months ago at the Tour Championship that Commissioner Jay Monahan outlined that players would be eligible for their share of the $100-million bonus money only if they played in the 13 elevated events plus three more of their choosing during the upcoming season.
Some players, including Jon Rahm, expressed surprise at the number of events, including the four majors, they would be required to play during a 34-week span of the season.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes,” Rahm said during the Tour Championship, noting it would be difficult for players maintaining dual membership on the DP World Tour, especially during a Ryder Cup year. “I think it’s a bit of an ask, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they revise a bit of a rule or make an exception for some players. But if they do it for players like me and Rory, they might have to do it for everybody.”
Jordan Spieth, speaking at the CJ Cup in South Carolina, noted that it would be more challenging to balance competing in the Texas events he likes to play and support (AT&T Byron Nelson and Charles Schwab Challenge), around the elevated events bunched together in May (Wells Fargo Championship, PGA Championship and Memorial).
“It looks like probably five in a row where I go into Jack’s event (The Memorial) on Tuesday night or something like that,” he said.
Rahm, Spieth and others may be given the equivalent of a “get out of jail free” card. According to a memo sent to players last week, players will be allowed to miss one elevated event for “personal or professional reasons only” and still be eligible to collect PIP bonuses. The other change: a fall event, such as the CJ Cup that attracted a stellar field, could count as one of the three optional starts.
The Tour announced last month that the WM Phoenix Open, RBC Heritage, Wells Fargo Championship and Travelers Championship will receive elevated status this season, joining the Sentry Tournament of Champions, the Players Championship, WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play, three invitationals – Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational and The Memorial – and the three FedEx Cup Playoff events (FedEx St. Jude Championship, BMW Championship and Tour Championship).
“The penalty for not satisfying all elements of the mandatory participation requirement is limited to the bonus distribution for the Player Impact Program,” the document reads.
The PGA Tour holds its next board meeting on Nov. 14 at Sea Island, Georgia, ahead of the RSM Classic.
The memo, which was dated Oct. 25, was first reported by the Associated Press.
