As the PGA Tour faces its first real competition for top talent since its early days after inception, Commissioner Jay Monahan recently announced several steps intended to maintain its status as the top professional golf tour in the world.
The addition of four Elevated Events brings the total to 12 for next season. Top players have made an unprecedented commitment to play all 12 events, in addition to the four majors and The Players Championship, and add three Tour events of their choosing to their schedules, according to the Tour. The result, Tour leaders say, will give fans more clarity about when its best players will be competing.
An expanded Player Impact Program and the introduction of the Earnings Assurance Program, which will guarantee all fully exempt Tour members will earn at least $500,000 per year, were also part of the announcement.