Justin Thomas criticized the PGA Tour schedule, saying it's not ideal for players. On Tuesday at the RBC Heritage, Thomas stated that having two majors and three signature events within six weeks is tough.
What's the issue with the schedule?
The RBC Heritage follows the Masters, and the Zurich Classic is an off week for many top stars. The new Cadillac Championship at Trump Doral and the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow lead into the PGA Championship.
How does it affect players?
Players sometimes skip signature events, but with extra FedEx Cup points at stake and a $20 million purse without a cut, it's not in their best interests to take the PGA Tour's top events off. This can make it difficult for players to prepare for upcoming major venues.
What's the potential solution?
New PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp said the circuit is looking at about 21 to 26 tournaments on a "first track of elevated events" with top players competing for higher purses. However, it remains to be seen if any changes will be made surrounding the majors.
The PGA Tour schedule is bound to change in the next few years. For now, though, it is what it is. Thomas hopes that the schedule will be more ideal for players in the future. He mentioned that majors are what players generally build their schedule around, and it's also how their legacy in the game is remembered.
What's next for the PGA Tour?
The Truist Championship will be at Quail Hollow, the site of last year's PGA Championship. Essentially, the Tour is playing consecutive major venues. Thomas believes that going to very difficult courses into a major is not how it would be drawn up for a lot of guys.
Justin Thomas finished his statement by saying that the schedule will never be perfect, but at least something that's maybe a little more ideal for guys in their eyes. The PGA Tour will continue to see changes in the next couple of years.
Max Schreiber, a contributor to the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated, covered the story. Schreiber has worked as an associate editor for the Golf Channel and written for RyderCup.com and FanSided.
The PGA Tour schedule is a topic of discussion among players and fans. Justin Thomas's comments highlight the need for a more balanced schedule that allows players to prepare for major championships.