PGA Tour chief makes Tiger Woods claim over FCC position

PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp says Tiger Woods did not lobby for additional ways to qualify for the Championship Series in 2028 while serving as chairman of the committee helping reshape the North American circuit. 

Woods, 50, was appointed the chairman of the Future Competitions Committee in August 2025.

The 15-time major champion was joined by golfers Patrick Cantlay, Camilo Villegas, Adam Scott, Maverick McNealy and Keith Mitchell. 

Their work ultimately resulted in a two-tier model, which will begin in two years' time with a Championship and Challenger Series. 

Membership criteria was outlined at the beginning of the week and it has sparked claims that Woods will face an almost impossible task of playing enough events to be able to compete at the upper level. 

"Tiger has been consistent," Rolapp told a group of reporters in a virtual news conference. 

"He wants to do what's best for the PGA Tour. That he is looking long-term about it. 

"This wasn't about that we need to change the rules for Tiger.

"His focus had been on trying to make the PGA Tour live way past any of us. That clearly was his orientation."

What has been announced?

The PGA Tour announced sweeping changes to its player eligibility structure on 15 September, establishing new membership categories for its Championship Series and Challenger Series beginning in 2028.

Will Tiger Woods be able to play on the Championship Series?

Woods is currently positioned to access the Championship Series through a one-time exemption available to players in the top 50 of the Tour's career money list. 

Woods is third on that list after he was recently leapfrogged by Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy.

Woods is also exempt on the PGA Tour for the 2027 season through a lifetime exemption available to members of the World Golf Hall of Fame and players with at least 20 Tour victories.

He also has exemptions into the 2027 Masters, PGA Championship and The Open as a past champion.

Under the current structure, however, Woods would need to play 15 PGA Tour events in 2027 to carry that exemption into the 2028 Championship Series. 

He has not played 15 Tour events in a season since 2018.

Woods also could secure access to the 2028 Championship Series by winning a PGA Tour event in 2027.

The five-time Masters champion has not played a PGA Tour event since 2024 because of injuries and personal issues. 

He was arrested on a DUI charge in March and was agreed not to contest charges earlier in the month as part of a plea deal. 

Woods was given a five-year suspension of his driver's licence and handed a $1,000 fine. 

Woods' most recent competitive golf appearance came in a TGL match March 1. 

He remains eligible for the over-50s PGA Tour Champions.