PGA Tour Signature Occasions have been a pertinent matter lately, given that every one 50 gamers who qualify for this week’s BMW Championship additionally achieve entry into every Signature Occasion subsequent season.
These eight tournaments function restricted fields and elevated purses. Extra FedEx Cup factors are additionally accessible. However they serve a fair higher function: to make sure that all the highest gamers on the PGA Tour compete side-by-side at a few of the most iconic, non-major venues, equivalent to Riviera, Bay Hill, and Muirfield Village. The rise of LIV Golf led the tour to ascertain its Signature Occasion mannequin one yr in the past, hoping to maintain its gamers glad whereas creating a greater product for on-site followers and people watching from house. It debuted throughout the 2024 season, which ends subsequent week in Atlanta on the Tour Championship.
Therefore, a reporter requested Patrick Cantlay, who serves on the PGA Tour Coverage Board, to replicate on these Signature Occasions forward of the BMW Championship.
“I really feel like they’ve gone very well,” Cantlay mentioned.
“I’ve talked to plenty of the fellows, they usually really feel just like the occasions are a few of the finest they’ve performed of their time on the PGA Tour. I really feel just like the sponsors have been pleased with it. The golf programs have been in nice form. I feel they’ve gone very well.”
Cantlay additionally gave the Signature Occasions an “A” grade. Nonetheless, there’s all the time room for enchancment, and the PGA Tour has already established two changes for Signature Occasions in 2025.
First, the sphere measurement will broaden from 70 to 72 gamers, permitting a few extra gamers to achieve entry into the largest occasions of the season. Some tournaments will make the most of alternate lists to find out these fields, too. These will probably be predicated on the Aon Subsequent 10, which helps decide who performs in every Signature Occasion primarily based on who has performed effectively as much as that time. The opposite adjustment includes Tiger Woods, who can play in no matter Signature Occasion he needs.
But, Cantlay and the board will proceed to research its construction as time passes.
“I feel it’s one thing we should always all the time be ,” Cantlay added.
“However I feel it’s important to give it a while. We made some important adjustments within the final yr or two, so analyzing this yr as a result of it has been a big change and seeing what the consequences are. I do know we’re doing that on the [Player Advisory Council] and board degree.”
The eight Signature Occasions for subsequent yr will stay the identical as this yr’s, with the primary being The Sentry at Kapalua in early January.
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in By way of. You should definitely try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You may comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as effectively.
