Less fan interest. Lower engagements. Packed Schedule, and absence of many top names on the field — there are multiple problems that the PGA Tour’s fall schedule faces. With 9 signature events already hogging the spotlight in the regular season, the Fall events are feeling a bit… groove. So, how can the Tour turn things around and make these events must-watch TV for golf fans, especially for those lesser-known golfers looking to make a name for themselves?

Well, by cancelling all the Fall events. During a recent interview with 5 Clubs, former PGA Tour pro Johnson Wagner suggested something similar.

When asked about the schedule problem, Wagner said, “I look at it from a viewpoint of being a former player and wanting the fall there for these guys. But then, from a media perspective, I’m kind of okay if the fall goes away.” Altogether?

Wagner shrugs a little. “It needs to be some sort of four-tournament or some kind of Q-school, lump Q-school and some of these tournaments together, and make it, make it like…” Wagner stops, and Gary Williams, host of the 5 Clubs, chimes in with, “Make it for employment is what I would do to it.” Wagner nods his head and repeats, “Make it for employment.”

He points out there’s a “scarcity” on the Tour, and there are so many fall events that “people flat out don’t pay attention to.” Plus, Brendon De Jonge points out, if you condense the Fall schedule, it gives “the casual golf fan that time to miss golf, to really look forward to it starting back up in January.”

They aren’t wrong. Two years ago, the PGA Tour’s fall schedule had seven events and a total purse of $56.6 million. Last year, the Tour added another event, bumping the total prize money to $58.3 million. But this year, with Las Vegas gone, the Tour offered a total purse of $45 million across seven events. Next year, Tour is already adding Good Good Championship to its Fall schedule.

The fall schedule is pretty packed, and without big names like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, it’s going to be tough to draw in the crowds. Sure, these weeks are make-or-break for players outside the top 50 FedEx Cup standings, trying to sneak into the top 100, but if fans aren’t tuning in, it’s bad news for the PGA Tour.

On the other hand, players who miss out on the top 100 can always try their luck at Q-School or climb back up through the Korn Ferry Tour. But if you think only the Fall schedule is getting backlash, think again.

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PGA Tour’s 2026 schedule draws intense scrutiny

The PGA Tour’s new schedule has sparked controversy, and a couple of insiders discussed the impact on lower-ranked and younger golfers, with Fried Egg Golf’s Andy Johnson highlighting the Tour’s biggest issue. During a recent episode on the Fried Egg Golf podcast, Johnson didn’t mince words.

“The other aspect of the schedule that we have to keep in mind is that guys play pretty much the same schedule now. And when you throw in players like Scottie, Rory, and other elite players, there aren’t as many wins available as there used to be.”

Brendan Porath added on the podcast, “I was going to say, there might be even more scarcity ahead. Who knows? In addition to a lot of guys playing the same schedule, we might see fewer events coming down the line.”

The Tour’s exclusive events and limited field sizes are barricading entry for lesser-known players, making it tough for them to advance. Plus, with more $20 million signature events, the elites will chase guaranteed money, making it harder for others to find a footing.

With 9 signature events out of 36 regular-season tournaments, opportunities are already scarce. PJ Clark suggests shifting to smaller events like the Baycurrent Classic or the John Deere Classic. Why? They joke that a Hall of Fame career might look like just 5 wins, a contrast to previous legends with over 70 wins. But it was Johnson’s statement that stood out the most: “This is carving the future in real time. We’re already talking this into existence.” Essentially, there’s plenty of work cut out for the PGA Tour guys.