Discover the major changes coming to the PGA Tour in 2026 as the number of fully exempt players via the FedExCup points list drops from 125 to 100.
This video analyzes how this new benchmark intensifies pressure on players during the Fall schedule, especially those near the top-100 bubble. Hear insights from players like Peter Malnati and Lanto Griffin on what this means for their careers and playing strategies.
Learn about the potential implications of conditional status for players finishing 101-125, changes to tournament entry, and how cutting field sizes aims to deliver a more competitive and entertaining PGA Tour season.
Key topics:
– Reduction of FedExCup exempt players from 125 to 100 starting 2026
– Impact on fall season tension and player strategies
– Conditional status for players ranked 101-125
– Overview of Korn Ferry Tour and Q-School influences
– PGA Tour’s goals for stronger competition and fan experience
#PGATour #FedExCup #Golf2026 #PGAExemptions #GolfNews #GolfPressure #SilveradoResort
Anxiety is sweeping across the PGA Tour as players are suddenly finding themselves under a whole new kind of pressure. And it’s not just because of the Rder Cup buzz. There’s a big change looming just beyond this fall’s events. And it threatens to shake up everything players thought they knew about keeping their status on tour. Here’s what everyone in Napa at the Silverado Resort is talking about. Starting next season, the list of fully exempt players, those guaranteed a spot in every event, is getting a major trim. Instead of the usual top 125 from the FedEx Cup points rankings, only the best 100 will automatically keep their privileges. That’s a jaw-dropping shift. And for those sitting near the edge of that 100 player cutoff, this fall is turning into a real life pressure cooker. Peter Malady captured what many are feeling. We all know the numbers have shrunk and we’re all aware of what’s at stake. That 100 feels a lot tighter than 125 ever did. Malnati fortunately has some breathing room next season thanks to his win at the 2024 Valpar Championship. He admits though that if he hadn’t locked up that exemption, the prospect of fighting for one of the shrinking slots would be, in his words, incredible and not in the good sense. Let’s put this pressure in perspective. On the current FedEx Cup points list, there’s a 114 point chasm between players ranked 100th and 125th. That’s the equivalent of pulling off a top five finish in a standard PGA Tour event. Not an easy feat, especially under the increased tension. Malnati, currently sitting at 179th on the points list, puts it simply. Yes, it’s more stressful. Fewer spots mean every shot, every round matters just a little more now. And this is where things get even more complicated. Something most casual fans might not realize. Take Lanto Griffin. Last year he was sitting at 171st as the fall began, managed just a single top 10 fish and had to survive the ordeal of Q school to reclaim his playing rights. This season with the cut off point now top 100. Everything feels that much tighter. With everything narrowing, it can feel like the walls are closing in. But we’re all in this together, Griffin reflects after starting strong with a 65 at the Procore Championship. He points out that plenty of players could still have a solid season and land around 105th or 110th. Good, but not good enough for guaranteed starts. Here’s the real wild card. What happens to those just outside this exclusive 100 player circle? Previously, finishing between 126th and 150th on the points list meant conditional status. You weren’t fully exempt, but you could still get into a fair number of events the next year. Now that the cutoff has moved to 100, it’s much less clear. Nobody really knows what a finish at 110 or 120 will get you now, says Griffin, who ended last regular season at 142nd in points. The tour says there will still be opportunities and they’ve pretty much kept their word, but the target is top 100. Anything above that and you’re playing a guessing game. And this is where the controversy heats up. Is it right to make the tour more exclusive? Does this push for a tighter top 100 make the competition more exciting? Or does it unfairly leave hardworking athletes with less security and fewer chances? The spread in points from 70th to 150th can be huge. Sometimes all that separates one player season from anothers is a single good week. Is this new benchmark a better way to reward excellence or just another hurdle in a notoriously unforgiving sport? Do you think the PGA Tour made the right decision in shrinking the exempt player pool? Does this ramp up the excitement or place too much uncertainty on the athletes careers? Share your thoughts in the comments, whether you’re all for raising the bar or think this sets an unrealistic standard for the world’s best golfers.
