As part of our ongoing commitment to regular communication with our Members, we’re pleased to share the latest update, reflecting on progress made since June under The PGA’s Tournament Strategy, launched in early 2024.
This update includes confirmed Terms of Competition and Exemptions for the 2026 season across the new Sprint Series, Callaway Chrome Tour Open Series, and Pro-Am schedule and provides clarity to the open playing schedule within England & Wales. Richard Barker, Executive Director – Business Development, outlines these changes.
For a reminder of the overall tournament strategy and previous updates, click here.
Callaway Chrome Tour PGA Open Series
As previously communicated, Regional Orders of Merit across England & Wales will be removed from the schedule due to a continued decline in participation, unattractive prize funds and a reduced sense of purpose following the removal of the PGA Play-Offs. As a result of this and the success of the Chrome Tour PGA Open Series in 2025, we can now confirm the Terms of Competition and Exemptions for 2026;
a) The top 25 players from the 2025 Callaway Chrome Tour Open Series Order of Merit (OOM)
b) The leading 10 players from each of the 2025 Regional OOMs and the WPGA OOM
c) The winners of the:
- PGA Professional Championship
- Coca-Cola Assistants Championship
- Senior PGA Championship
- Women's PGA Championship
- Women’s PGA Assistants Championship
- English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh PGA Championships
d) For the 2026 Chrome Tour PGA Open Series tournaments in Scotland and Ireland, the balance of up to 80 host region players allocated by date and time of entry
e) Entrants, regardless of region (including home entries in Scotland and Ireland), by date and time of entry
Changes from 2025 for the 2026 season
The 2026 season introduces two key updates to the Callaway Chrome Tour PGA Open Series entry criteria. Firstly, the top 25 players from the 2025 Open Series OOM will now receive exemption into the 2026 events.
Secondly, reflecting the open nature of the series, entry to Open Series tournaments held in England & Wales are no longer restricted by regional allocation. Instead of being limited to host region players, remaining places in tournament fields will be allocated on a first come, first serve basis for Members in England & Wales.
Changes from 2026 for the 2027 season
Several important adjustments will be introduced to the Callaway Chrome Tour PGA Open Series entry structure for the 2027 season. The number of automatic exemptions from the 2026 Callaway Chrome Tour PGA Open Series Order of Merit will increase from 25 to 30.
With the removal of Regional OOMs in England & Wales in 2026, the link to the Callaway Chrome Tour PGA Open Series will be removed from 2027.
Exemptions will be granted to the 10 players from the 2026 Scotland, Ireland, and WPGA OOMs. Finally, the leading 20 players from the new 2026 PGA Sprint Series OOM, not otherwise exempt, will also receive entry into the 2027 Open Series.
New PGA Sprint Series
Terms of Competition and Exemptions for the new PGA Sprint Series – which will feature nine 18-hole events each carrying a £10,000 prize fund – have now been confirmed. These events are open to PGA Members in England & Wales.
a) The leading 10 players from each of the 2025 Regional OOM and the leading 5 England & Wales players from the WPGA OOM
b) England & Wales players within the top 10 of the 2025 Callaway Chrome Tour PGA Open Series OOM
c) Winners of the 2025:
- PGA Professional Championship
- Coca-Cola Assistants Championship
- Senior PGA Championship
- Women's PGA Championship
- Women’s PGA Assistants Championship
- English PGA Championship (unless from Scotland or Ireland)
- Welsh PGA Championship
d) Entrants by date and time of entry
There will be a maximum of 72 exempt players in each field, with the remainder (minimum 84 places) made up via time and date of entry.
In the event of a tie for first place:
- Prize money for those tied will be distributed equally.
- In the event of a tie for first place, prize money for those tied will be distributed equally. In this instance the trophy shall be awarded via a card play-off, this will be determined via the back 9, 6, 3, 2 and 1 holes. If a tie still remains the result will be determined by a Match Play hole-by-hole playoff from first hole of the course, irrespective of the order the course is played.
Changes from 2025 for the 2026 season
As we look ahead, a 2026 PGA Sprint Series OOM will be used to determine exemptions for 2027 as well as the 2027 Callaway Chrome Tour PGA Open Series. Those OOM points will be awarded based on players’ finishing position with prize money awarded via each event. There will be no additional prize money allocated to the OOM.
A phased transition of England & Wales Pro-Ams towards an open structure
As communicated previously, a two-phase strategy will be introduced to redefine how Pro-Ams are delivered across England & Wales. These changes are designed to increase opportunities for Members, enhance the overall experience and achieve long-term financial sustainability for Pro-Am events.
Tournament Managers will move some Pro-Ams into the England & Wales open schedule for 2026, where growth and development is possible or where numbers of entries are challenged. Successful Pro-Ams will stay regional for 2026, with a view to transition these into the open schedule in 2027.
From 2027, some Pro-Ams will be transitioned into County events where possible and suitable, working closely with the County Secretaries and Chairman.
From 2026, Open, Open Pro-Am fields will be determined in the following category order:
- Sponsor and club invites
- Any eligible PGA Professional that brings their own team
- Defending champion
- The top 10 players from the appropriate 2025 Regional OOM (removed for 2027)
Changes from 2025 for the 2026 season
Starting in 2026, the previous 10% cap on sponsor and club invitations will be removed. In addition, an exemption policy will be in place for top performers from the 2025 Regional Orders of Merit whereby the leading 10 Members from each Regional OOM will be eligible.
Conflicting Events Regulation (No.2)
The following approach aims to strike a balance between delivering full fields for National and Open Series tournaments and empowering PGA Counties to provide meaningful playing opportunities for the wider Membership at a County level.
This scheduling model is supported by a number of key considerations. National and Open Series tournaments are already expected to attract full fields in 2026, with PGA Sprint Series events projected to reach full capacity from 2027. As these events generally cater to a different player audience than County-level tournaments, both types of activity can run concurrently without negatively affecting participation in either. However, to maximise entries in national tournament pre-qualifying rounds, regardless of their location, no conflicting County events will be scheduled on those specific dates.
Open Schedule Senior and Trainee tournaments are aimed at a similar participant base as County events and as a result, any potential conflicts will be geographically managed to give these new events the best chance to succeed.
Regional Pro-Ams will be prioritised and County tournaments should not conflict with those within the same geographical Region unless agreed in advance with PGA Head of Tournaments.
Regulatory and operational practice for County activity
- Allowed on the same day as National tournaments, Open Series tournaments and specified open schedule tournaments
- Should not conflict with qualifying rounds for National tournaments
- ·Should not hold tournaments on the same day as Seniors and Trainees open schedule tournaments within the same administrative PGA Region
- Should not conflict with Regional Pro-Ams unless with the prior agreement of the Head of Tournaments
Note: these changes do not apply to Branch activity in Ireland. The current Regulations on conflicting events will continue to apply there.
Senior and Trainee events: New and expanded tournament products for 2026
2026 will see both Senior and Trainee exclusive tournaments delivered concurrently on the same day at the same venue. This decision has been made based on the successful roll out of Senior and Trainee events in the Midlands Region in previous seasons, as well as the need to provide additional playing opportunities for Members within these groups. We have gathered feedback from Senior Members which shows their desire to play competitive golf, whilst we understand the need for consistent opportunities for Trainees to fulfil their playing requirements.
Staging these events concurrently will also consolidate staff and venue costs, leading to improved financial sustainability in the long term.
There will be three events in each administrative Region within England & Wales – bringing the total number of events to 15 – and prize money will be defined by number of entries. Whilst delivered within administrative Regions, these events will be open for any Senior or Trainee to play in regardless of their Region.
Overseas Pro-Ams changes confirmed with expansion planned for 2027
The current model for the Winter Overseas Pro-Ams will continue to offer open, national access, encouraging a broad group of players to participate. Looking ahead, we are committed to evolving and expanding our Overseas Pro-Am offering further as we build towards 2027 with a two-tier structure offering premium Pro-Am opportunities in partnership with our PGA branded properties and local tourism operators.
To see the full tournament strategy and to read previous updates, click here.
To see the PGA tournament schedule for 2026, click here.
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