The shape of the 2027 PGA Tour schedule is still coming into focus, but there is already a sense that it could signal a shift in direction under CEO Brian Rolapp.
Although Rolapp came on board too late to have much say over the 2026 season, he quickly set up the Future Competition Committee and appointed Tiger Woods as its chairman.
Early signs are pointing towards significant changes in 2027. Harris English hinted that we might see a reduced calendar with only around 20 events on the PGA Tour.
The start of this season brought plenty of questions about Hawaii’s role in future schedules, with uncertainty surrounding both The Sentry and Sony Open in Hawaii.
It seems increasingly likely that, at minimum, the tour will not be opening its season in Hawaii anymore.
TPC Scottsdale linked to the start of 2027 PGA Tour season
During his appearance on The Smylie Show after the WM Phoenix Open, Smylie Kaufman mentioned that there is growing talk about TPC Scottsdale hosting the season opener.
He said: “Before we transition out of this Phoenix Open, the last thing that I want to bring up to you is just having some conversations with folks around the WM Phoenix Open and the future of that event, and what the future schedule looks like for the PGA Tour. All the conversations the PGA Tour are having about 2027 and the scheduling, and where is the WM Phoenix Open going to slate in, is it going to be similar to where it has been? You go Sony, AmEx, Phoenix Open? From what I’ve gathered, the PGA Tour wants to start out with their big opening day, and Phoenix Open is currently slated to be number one.
“That is where they want to start. They want to start with a bang, and I think right now, they’re trying to figure out the scheduling, if it’s going to be Super Bowl weekend. I think I’ve heard suggestions of, ‘hey, would you be okay doing it after the Super Bowl?’ Not even mess with football. The Phoenix Open has no interest in that. But what I find interesting is that seems fine, having it during the Super Bowl weekend, that’s where they want it, and I can understand why Phoenix wants it there.”
Brian Rolapp faces a big challenge as he prepares to shake up the PGA Tour schedule
The current schedule allows for a gradual build-up, with The Sentry at Kapalua providing not only stunning views but also serving as a familiar, relaxed entry point to the season.
Still, it is a world away from the atmosphere you find at the WM Phoenix Open. Few tournaments match that kind of energy.
Perhaps this explains why it is the ideal start to the season. However, Kaufman suggests that Rolapp could face difficulty if his intention is to duplicate the tournament at numerous locations throughout the country.
“It’s so different. The NFL has all these different franchises and teams, this is where you run into the issues of Rolapp running the PGA Tour like the NFL, where things are different. Rolapp’s probably walked around and thought we need to replicate it everywhere.
“‘Let’s do these big events, big cities, having all these great crowds and huge buildouts’. But you’re so reliant on these tournaments and the tournament directors and these big organisations to be able to do these things. That’s the difference with the NFL, they had the stadiums, they have the owners to be able to provide all these things week-in and week-out with a site that’s not going anywhere,” he stated.
Big changes are imminent on the PGA Tour, which will likely face resistance regardless of the final schedule.
However, beginning the season at the WM Phoenix Open would signal Rolapp’s willingness to forcefully usher the PGA Tour into a new era.
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