Starting this season, 65 is the new 70.
Golf Digest reports that the PGA Tour policy board has approved changes that will reduce the number of players who make the cut and play the weekend beginning with the 2019-20 season.
The previous system of top 70 and ties is going down to top 65 and ties, while the Tour is also doing away with that pesky MDF – a secondary cut implemented after Round 3 when 78 or more players made the cut.
That means it will be more difficult to earn a check from week-to-week as players fight to stay inside the top 65. But the weekend payouts will be larger with the prize purses divided amongst fewer competitors.
It’s a tradeoff that will certainly come with mixed opinions in the locker room, but the bottom line is still pretty simple – play well and you won’t have to worry about making the cut on the number.
Paul Casey is on the Tour’s Player Advisory Council and told Golf Digest he’s in favor of the new system for several reasons.
“It’s a capitalist sport,” Casey said. “You play well, you do well.
“I’ve been on both sides of it, and I still firmly believe you make your own success, so I’m a fan of it. As long as we’re not taking away opportunities to get into events, and I don’t think this is taking away earnings or opportunities for players. This is the right thing to do. We have to protect the product. We have too many three-balls and two-tee starts on the weekend.”
The PGA Tour also just released its full schedule for the 2019-20 season, which begins Sept. 12-15 with A Military Tribute at the Greenbrier.
