04 May 2023 , 12:01
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The PGA Tour are "willing to change" their newly implemented elevated event schedule according to one of the American-based circuit's biggest names Xander Schauffele.
The Tour implemented the changes at the beginning of the 2023 campaign, giving 17 tournaments 'elevated' or 'designated' status. The upgrade has seen the 17 selected events receiving an increase in prize funds, with an average of £16 million ($20m) on offer at each.
The new schedule was seemingly put in place in response to the threat of their rivals LIV Golf, who have been able to lure in a whole host of Tour players with mega-money signing fees and prize pots.
With the elevated calendar just five months old, it has already split the opinion of the playing roster due to the sheer amount of golf that the circuit's top players are required to play. Arguably the biggest name Rory McIlroy, has felt the effects of it, already breaking Tour rules after withdrawing from two designated tournaments, costing him a hefty £2.4 million ($3m) sanction.
Amid these concerns it has seen been revealed by Schauffele that the Tour are willing to make some changes to their elevated plan. Speaking at this week's Wells Fargo Championship, he said: If things aren't right or don't feel right or competition isn't right moving forward, the tour is willing to change and make it better.
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Xander Schauffele discussed the PGA Tour's schedule (Getty Images)"That's sort of where I feel the most comfortable is that the tour is ever-evolving trying to make sure everyone is taken care of, and we are putting the best package forward, yet taking care of our membership...
"Next year will be sort of a new look. We'll have to see how it goes. If adjustments need to be made, they'll be made." These changes are set to be made, with Tour commissioner keen to stretch the designated tournaments out across the seasonal calendar, after some early congestion in this year's bedding in period.
“It’s shaping up,” Monahan said about the 2024 schedule. “One of the things we’re working on for next year as it relates to cadence, we wanted a clear separation between designated events and full-field events to get out of the position we’re in this year where we have a few isolated weeks.”