PGA Tour approves reduction to 100 players keeping cards off FedEx Cup list [Video]

The PGA Tour policy board approved eligibility changes Monday that eliminate 25 cards through the FedEx Cup in the first reduction of jobs since the all-exempt tour began in 1983.

Starting in 2026, only the top 100 in the FedEx Cup are assured full status the following year.

The board voted on proposals from the 16-member Player Advisory Council aimed at giving everyone who earns a full PGA Tour card a chance to get into enough tournaments to have a fair chance at keeping their cards.

It also approved smaller field sizes — a maximum of 144 players, down from 156 — for tournaments on one course with ample daylight hours. Another change was eliminating the four restricted sponsor exemptions, allocating them to what amounts to the alternate list.

Open tournaments still get unrestricted sponsor exemptions (typically four) they can give to whomever they want.

With changes not taking effect until 2026, that makes next year even more cutthroat with more …