PGA Tour warned new plans could stop them finding their next star player

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PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp is already making big changes ahead of the 2026 season, though they may end up having some unexpected side effects.

Unlike many before him, Rolapp comes from outside golf, joining from the NFL. This likely plays into his willingness to push the sport in a new direction, which he’s described as an “aggressive meritocracy.”

Under his plan, players outside the top 100 in FedEx Cup points will now keep their cards, while those ranked 101-150 move into a new tiered system that affects which events they can play in starting next season.

But that change could make things tougher for younger players trying to break through. The number of Korn Ferry Tour graduates getting PGA Tour cards drops from 30 to 20. On top of that, it’s become harder for them to earn points and keep their status once they’re there.

Those changes could come back to bite the PGA Tour if it ends up missing out on its next big star.

Rex Hoggard voices concerns over PGA Tour changes

Not every great player comes in with all the hype. Some players take time to find their way, develop at their own pace, and still end up with major titles and strong careers.

During an appearance on the Golf Channel Podcast with Rex and Lav, Hoggard said Rolapp’s changes could make it harder for new stars to break through.

He explained, “I think one of the arguments is always going to be if you’re good enough, you’re going to make it to the PGA Tour. If you’re a Tiger Woods or a Phil Mickelson or any of these other stars who have come up onto the PGA tour without going through Q School, you do find a way.

“Some of them aren’t going to make it through. It’s just a numbers game at this point. It’s not as though they’re not talented enough. It’s not as though they’re not good enough.

“It’s just that the numbers don’t add up to allow them to get starts on the PGA Tour. That’s the other side of the coin. When I give the PGA Tour its kudos, it’s because they have created a system so all of the top stars have an opportunity to play their way on.”

“I think that system needs to be made sure that it’s fleshed out enough that you don’t have this narrowing effect that’s going to cost you a star down the line.”

J.J. Spaun’s career path could have been very different under new PGA Tour rules

There are plenty of late bloomers in golf, and J.J. Spaun is one of them. His career is a good example of the kind of story that could become less common under the new rules. Spaun went on to win the US Open in 2025, but just a year earlier, he was close to losing his PGA Tour card.

Back in 2017, his first season on Tour, Spaun finished 99th in the FedEx Cup standings after two top-10 finishes. That just got him inside the top 100, something that might not have happened under the new system with fewer chances to play.

Spaun had another tough spell in 2024 when he dropped out of form again and risked falling off completely if not for a strong finish to the season where three more top-10s saw him sneak into 96th place and barely retain his card again.

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Spaun even said later that he was thinking about quitting professional golf if he lost his card again but then went on to become one of the sport’s biggest stars just a year later. After winning the US Open, he became one of Team USA’s best players at Ryder Cup too.

Spaun’s journey shows how easily future stars can slip through cracks if there aren’t enough chances for players who take time to develop their game.