The PGA Tour has announced some changes to its competitive structure in November 2024. Some of these changes can significantly affect golfers’ careers. One notable name that is feeling the pressure of a career threat is Sam Ryder.

After the new policy updates, the exempt status will change from top 125 to top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings. Sam is someone whose card has always been on the bubble. Over his career spanning 8 years, his rank was below 100 in FedEx Cup standings only once, in 2023, when he finished at 61. Despite that, he has somehow managed to be eligible for all these years. But the new eligibility changes mean he now faces uncertainty and heightened anxiety about holding his card.

Currently at No. 110 on the FedEx Fall standings, Ryder was asked how he feels about the change. To this, he can be seen responding that he feels confident in an Instagram video shared by the PGA Tour. “The positive of that is I am pretty comfortable with it. And I know that when my back’s against the wall, sometimes I kind of play my best golf, and it helps me kind of focus. And I’ll try to use that to my advantage,” said Sam Ryder.

It’s no surprise that the eight-year Tour pro has become comfortable with the situation. His FedEx Cup rankings since 2018 are 101, 107, 108, 112, 108, 61, and 125. In 2025, he stands at 110 in FedEx Fall rankings and may face the consequences of the eligibility change. Most people would have focused on the negative aspects in such situations, but Ryder looks at the positive.

He knows that he has been in similar situations throughout his career. His exempt status has never been certain except in 2023. So he knows the situation and plans to use it to his advantage. Ryder has few opportunities left to improve his standings and get the exempt status. And he is already doing well in the currently ongoing Sanderson Farms Championship.

After the first round, Ryder stands tied at a 3rd position with 7-under par at 65. He managed a birdie on holes 1, 2, 4, 10, 15, 17, and 18 to tie at 3 alongside Eric Cole, Vince Whaley, and Trey Mullinax.

It looks like he is determined to stay true to his word and use his experience to his advantage to climb up and get the exempt status for 2026. After the Sanderson Farms Championship, he’s got a chance to improve standings at the Baycurrent Classic and the Bank of Utah Championship in October, and 3 other tours in November.

The aim of these changes is to improve the PGA Tour. “Today’s announced changes build on the competitive and schedule enhancements incorporated over the last six years in seeking the best version of the PGA TOUR for our fans, players, tournaments and partners,” said PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan.

The Player Advisory Council (PAC) and other management teams made the changes based on feedback from the membership over the course of 2024. Besides this, PGA Tour cards awarded to top Korn Ferry Tour players are reduced from 30 to 20. And instead of five and ties, only five golfers will get PGA Tour Q-School cards.

Field size will also reduce from 156 to 144, and possibly further reductions to 132 or 120 depending on circumstances. The PGA Tour also announced some minor changes to the FedEx Cup point system. But this is not the only time the PGA Tour has made changes to its competitive or schedule structure. Let’s look at some changes from the past.

Major PGA Tour competitive and schedule changes

One of the biggest changes was the introduction of the FedEx Cup. It created a season-long points race resulting in playoffs with progressively smaller fields at 125, 100, 70, and 30 players.

Then in 2008, the revised cut policy came into effect. It introduced a 36-hole cut to the low 70 professionals and ties, and in some cases a 54-hole cut reducing to 70 players. There were no major changes between 2008 and 2019. Then in 2019, it made schedule changes by moving the PGA Championship from August to May. The aim was to spread out major events for better fan engagement.

In 2023, the PGA Tour introduced the FedEx Fall series with events for players to retain their Tour cards.

The recent PGA Tour competitive changes reflect an evolution aimed at improving fans’ and players’ experiences. Although this change creates a career threat for golfers like Sam Ryder, it could possible make the PGA Tour more competitive and engaging for fans.