As the 2025 FedExCup Playoffs approach, retired PGA Tour winner Smylie Kaufman and others criticize the Tour’s exhausting calendar.
– Kaufman proposes a season finale at the Wyndham Championship
– Fall events’ impact on player fatigue and career security
– Rory McIlroy, Ryan Gerard, Gary Woodland, and Jon Rahm share concerns on schedule’s mental and physical toll
– Potential solutions for a more balanced season discussed
– Watch to understand the plight of PGA Tour golfers and the push for change
Imagine a jog where you’re constantly on the road with barely any time to rest or recharge. For professional golfers on the PGA Tour, this is their harsh reality. The nearly year round grind of over 40 events spanning 11 long months leaves players physically and mentally exhausted. But here’s where it gets even more challenging. The regular season may end in August, but the competition doesn’t. Fall events, which are technically part of the previous season, stretch into November, continuing the relentless pursuit of FedEx Cup points and next season’s playing rights. This prolonged structure has sparked controversy with many players, fans, and insiders expressing frustration and concern about the toll it takes on the athletes. Retired PGA Tour winner Smiley Kaufman, now a broadcaster and podcast host, recently voiced his criticism of the PGA Tours neverending calendar on the Smiley Show. He argued that the current system is unsustainable, saying, “I personally wish it was a finale at the Windom and then, you know, just be done after the Tour Championship.” Kaufman’s co-host, Charlie Hume, took it a step further, suggesting that the top 70 players who have already earned their tour cards should be locked out of fall tournaments. This radical idea has sparked debate, with some arguing that it would bring much needed clarity and purpose to the fall events, while others see it as unfair to the players who are still fighting for their spot on the tour. The controversy surrounding the PGA Tour schedule is not new, but it’s gaining momentum. With the 2025 FedEx Cup playoffs just around the corner, offering a staggering 100 million bonus pool, the stakes are higher than ever. However, for most players, the real grind extends far beyond the playoffs. The fall series, which begins immediately after the Tour Championship, determines who earns full playing status for 2026. Players ranked outside the top 70 must continue to accumulate points with only the top 100 retaining full PGA Tour cards for next season. The consequences are massive with millions in prize money, career security, and future exemptions on the line. Kaufman and Hume’s proposal to repurpose the fall events as a min solely for those outside the top 70 has sparked interesting discussions. Some argue that this would give top players a muchneeded break, allowing them to rest and recharge for the upcoming season. Others see it as a way to create a more focused and competitive environment for players who are still fighting for their spot on the tour. But here’s the question. Is this proposal fair to all players involved? Should the top 70 players be given a break while others are still fighting for their careers? The debate is ongoing with many players and insiders weighing in on the issue. Rory Mroy, one of the tour’s biggest stars, recently acknowledged hitting a wall late in 2024 after a stretch of six events in 8 weeks. “It’s been a long season. I’m going to try to cut it back to like 18 or 20 a year going forward,” he said. Mroyy’s comments highlight the mental and physical toll of the schedule, even for the game’s elite. Rookie Ryan Gerard also pointed to the mental exhaustion of the schedule, saying, “It’s a long season, and there’s a lot of travel. By the end of the year, I just try to stay positive and sleep.” Gerard’s comments are a stark reminder that even young, hungry players find the tours demands unsustainable. Veteran Gary Woodland, who is fighting to retain his card after brain surgery, was visibly drained at the 2025 Windom Championship. It’s been a hard year. I need to get back into a dark room and just try to turn my brain off. John Rom previously noted the mental exhaustion of playoff and major season overlap. While player directors like James Han and Peter Malnatti have voiced concern over structural inequities and scheduling logic, as the debate rages on, one thing is clear. The PGA Tour’s current calendar is no longer just a logistical oddity, but a structural flaw that’s affecting players at every level. The question is, what can be done to address this issue? Should the PGA Tour consider a more radical shift in its scheduling or are there other solutions that could alleviate the pressure on players? We want to hear from you. Do you think the PGA Tour schedule is unsustainable? And what changes would you propose to address the issue? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
