Padraig Harrington, who’s in Phoenix this week for the Charles Schwab Cup Championship, appeared on Golf Channel’s Golf Immediately on Wednesday to debate present happenings in skilled golf.
One pertinent subject is the PGA Tour’s proposed modifications for the 2026 season, which might diminish area sizes at virtually each occasion, get rid of practically all Monday qualifiers, and decrease the variety of PGA Tour members from 125 to 100 in a given season.
So, when Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch requested Harrington about this growth, the Irishman shook his head in disgust and instantly voiced his displeasure with the measure.
“Horrible. Simply horrible,” Harrington mentioned.
“It truly is. I can’t take into consideration how dangerous it’s. On the finish of the day, the individuals on the within are voting to maintain the factor tighter and extra closed… The tour was working simply fantastic. I do know there’s a bit little bit of stress to complete on time when fields go to 156 at sure occasions of the season or 144, however gamers will cope with it. They may deal with that. They put together for that. They know at first of the yr [that they] may miss out on just a few event [rounds] due to gentle.”
When the PGA Tour despatched this memo to its membership final week, it cited the sluggish tempo of play—a difficulty that has plagued the tour for years—as the explanation for these modifications. Dozens of rounds end after darkish yearly, main many gamers to complete their ultimate few holes early the next morning. That results in difficult and tiresome conditions, which appear to occur most of the time.
Harrington understands that and has skilled it firsthand. Nonetheless, he doesn’t perceive why the PGA Tour proposed these modifications. He feels for the underdog—the journeyman who has fought tooth and nail to have an opportunity at reaching his dream—a narrative that a whole bunch of professionals like Harrington can resonate with.
“Gradual play is like driving in rush hour visitors. It’s simply too many individuals on the golf course, and the tee occasions are too tight, so sure, it is a manner of fixing one of many huge points in golf, the tempo of play, however you wish to give everyone the chance,” Harrington mentioned whereas releasing an enormous, disappointing sigh.
“If this was just like the [English Premier League], or the [English] Championship [League], and there was a extremely, actually good second tour, perhaps the European Tour may be that. Possibly it really works out. However to me, it undoubtedly seems to be just like the individuals on the within are maintaining it tighter.”
The Irishman additionally is aware of the significance of Monday qualifiers, as these mini 18-hole tournaments are held virtually each Monday earlier than a PGA Tour occasion. Those that acquire entry into these qualifiers are both younger professionals seeking to make it, these with out standing, or people who rank beneath a sure threshold within the standings. Consider these gamers exterior the FedEx Cup High 150, for example.
“Not having a Monday qualifier, c’mon, that’s one of the thrilling issues on the tour,” Harrington added.
“The cut-line can be one of the thrilling issues on the tour. It’s a horrible factor… slicing your exemption to 100 gamers. However I do know no-cut fields swimsuit the sponsors. They need the main names assured to be there on the weekend.”
However the PGA Tour appears to need its big-name gamers, too, a lot to Harrington’s dismay. His evaluation of the state of affairs aligns with former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, who referred to as the proposal “full crap” on Sirius XM earlier within the week. Glover went 10 years with out a PGA Tour victory, so he is aware of all too properly about what it feels wish to be on the skin.
Harrington does, too. He additionally believes that the tour had no motive to make any modifications.
“I’ve to say tightening up fields is sweet for the TV and dependability, however I assumed the system wasn’t damaged,” Harrington mentioned.
“Actually, I actually don’t suppose the system was damaged. Possibly if I have been within the high 60, I’d be saying, ‘Hey, that is nice,’ however if you’re on the skin, evidently this isn’t transfer.”
Jack Milko is a golf workers author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Make sure you take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to observe him on Twitter @jack_milko as properly.
