01PGA 투어 2028년 체제 개편, '실력주의' 승강제 본격화
PGA 투어가 2028시즌부터 대회 구조를 챔피언십 시리즈와 챌린저 시리즈 두 축으로 재편한다. 상위 120명이 경쟁하는 챔피언십 시리즈는 23개 대회로 운영되며, 별도 대기자 명단이나 지정 면제 없이 실력만으로 출전권이 주어진다. 하위 티어인 챌린저 시리즈는 144명 규모에 최소 20개 대회를 치르며, 대기자 명단과 지정 면제 2장이 주어져 운영 유연성을 확보했다.
핵심은 매 시즌 성과에 따른 승강제다. 챔피언십 시리즈 하위권자는 챌린저 시리즈로 강등되고, 챌린저 시리즈 상위권자는 챔피언십 시리즈로 승격한다. 2027년은 과도기적 자격 기준이 적용되지만, 2028년부터는 투어 전 레벨에서 '상향 이동'이 보장되는 메리트크라시가 작동한다. DP 월드 투어 상위권자 진입 경로도 전략적 제휴 논의 속에 검토 중이다.
진입 경로도 다변화됐다. PGA 투어 유니버시티 랭킹 2~5위(당해·전년도)와 가속 프로그램을 이수한 선수, 퀄리파잉 토너먼트(Q스쿨) 상위 5명, 일부 대회의 오픈 퀄리파잉 2장이 챌린저 시리즈 멤버십으로 직결된다. 의료 연장과 커리어 마일스톤 면제도 종전대로 인정된다.
가을에는 '마지막 기회' 시리즈가 신설된다. Q스쿨 직후 최소 4개 대회를 전 경기 출전해야 자격이 주어지며, 상위 3명에게 이듬해 챔피언십 시리즈 티켓이 주어진다. 한 번의 실수로 투어 카드를 잃지 않도록 다층적 안전장치를 둔 셈이다. PGA 투어는 새로운 포인트 배분과 세부 자격 기준을 별도 페이지를 통해 지속 공개할 예정이다.
02Original (English) — PGA TOUR
What will the PGA Tour look like in 2028 after broad, sweeping changes to the current competitive structure?
The PGA Tour has revealed new details about how eligibility and membership will work for PGA Tour Championship Series and PGA Tour Challenger Series, both of which will begin in 2028.
As previously announced, the PGA Tour will feature two series of events running concurrently – the PGA Tour Championship Series and the PGA Tour Challenger Series – with players moving between each series annually based on performance.
While eligibility will differ in 2027 as a transition year before the structure is fully implemented, these criteria demonstrate how players will maintain and move between the various levels of the PGA Tour system starting in 2028.
The structure prioritizes meritocracy, emphasizing consequential promotion and relegation that will ensure upward mobility across every level of the PGA Tour system.
So, who will be eligible for the PGA Tour Championship Series and PGA Tour Challenger Series? How will players move between the two levels? Membership categories and criteria are outlined below.
The PGA Tour Championship Series will feature fields of 120 players, on average, without an alternate list. There will be no designated exemptions. The schedule will include 23 events, inclusive of THE PLAYERS Championship, major championships and national team events (Presidents Cup/Ryder Cup).
PGA Tour Championship Series membership will include:
Access available to top performers from the DP World Tour is being considered as part of the ongoing discussions regarding the future of the Strategic Alliance.
Medical extensions and existing career milestone exemptions will also be honored when applicable. Full eligibility criteria are available here.
More info on the evolving PGA Tour Championship Series structure, including the new points distribution, is available here.
The PGA Tour Challenger Series will feature fields of 144 players, with the ability to reduce when necessary, and with an alternate list. The schedule will include a minimum of 20 events; seven of which will be played as standalone events during off weeks of the PGA Tour Championship Series in 2028 (total number could vary year to year). Membership categories will include:
A number of spots will also be given to other pathways, including: Nos. 2-5 in the PGA Tour University Ranking from the current and previous year and any player who achieves and accepts PGA Tour University Accelerated.
The top five finishers from the previous season's PGA Tour Qualifying Tournament (Q-School) will also earn membership.
Additionally, two spots will be available via Open Qualifying for select PGA Tour Challenger Series events. The fields will also include up to two designated exemptions and any applicable medical extensions (more details available at a later date).
As previously announced, the PGA Tour will hold a “last chance” series in the fall with three spots available for the PGA Tour Championship Series the following year.
The series will begin after the annual Qualifying Tournament (Q-School) in the fall of 2028 and will include a minimum of four events. Players must compete in every event to be eligible for promotion.
The full eligibility criteria is available here.