Jimmy Walker Doesn't Understand the PGA Tour Fall But That's On Him
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Jimmy Walker is no fan of the new PGA Tour calendar-year schedule that sees the fall events such as the Fortinet Championship as a continuation of the current season rather than the start of a new one.
The 2016 PGA Championship winner—who was exempt on the PGA Tour this year due an all-time money list exemption that he only got when those who went to the LIV Golf League were removed from the list—is upset that his 124th-place position on the FedEx Cup standings through the Wyndham Championship does not yet mean he is fully exempt for 2024.
That’s because the six fall events now are a continuation of the season for those who did not finish among the top 50. And so that the Tour can start everyone at zero in January.
"They changed the rules," Walker told Golfweek at the Fortinet Championship. “It’s been 125 forever. Then it’s like, no it’s 50, or is it 70? It’s definitely not 125.
"I’ve been working for 11 months to finish 124 and it’s like, nope, keep playing. It’s total bulls---, that’s what I think of it."
Jimmy Walker used a one-time money list exemption for this season that existed because of defections LIV Golf.
Marc Lebryk/USA TODAY Sports
Well, actually. …
It is still the top 125 in the final FedEx Cup standings who are fully exempt. Nothing has changed there. It’s simply the finish line is in November instead of August.
Walker parlayed his one-time exemption in 2022-23 into No. 124 in the FedEx Cup standings. All players have been given an extra six events because last fall was the last time the Tour was using the wraparound calendar model.
"I can’t tell you how many people texted me saying congratulations on making the 125," Walker said in the Golfweek interview. "I'm like, 'no man, it’s different.’ I had to explain. They’ve done such a bad job of communicating what is happening, partly because I don’t think they knew what was happening, honestly."
Well, actually …
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced the new plan in June 2022 at the Travelers Championship in which the changes were also communicated to the players via letter. It was there that Monahan announced that the playoffs would be for just the top 70 players starting in 2023, a reduction from 125. And that anyone outside of the top 70 could improve their status—including those outside of the top 125—in the fall events of 2023.
Earlier this year, the Tour announced it would be seven fall events, rebranded the "FedEx Fall," with the opportunity to use them to qualify for Signature events while also giving players the chance to retain or regain their card.
"It’s been one way forever," Walker continued. "LIV and the Saudis happen and a lot of things change and everybody freaks out and we sign an agreement that stops litigation. I don’t know what’s going on."
Well, actually ...
The changes Walker has an issue with have nothing to do with the "framework agreement" between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. The scheduled changes were announced weeks after LIV played its first event and nearly a year before the controversial framework deal was announced. The new schedule was happening regardless.
"They’re talking about a big payout for the players that stayed," Walker said. “All of it is blowing my mind. The Tour is doing everything they can to take care of themselves. And not for the players. I’m just out here grinding, giving all I’ve got. I’ve given them 20-some-odd years out here, you know.’’
Well, actually ...
Nobody is sure how anyone who passed on LIV will be compensated if a deal is actually reached. And the Tour made the deal not to enrich itself as much as it did to bolster purses that will see eight Signature events with $20 million purses, one with a $15 million purse, two FedEx playoff events with $20 million purses plus an increase in overall FedEx Cup bonus money.
The remaining events that Walker would be eligible for if he remains exempt will still see purses in the $8-to-$9-million range with the opportunity to qualify for the bigger events as well.
Walker could have done himself a favor by asking a few questions a year ago, perhaps to someone such as to Peter Malnati, a member of the PGA Tour Policy Board who is also playing fall events because he has not locked up his card.
"Of course people are going to say that, but we’re making changes," Malnati said in the Golfweek story. "Things have to change. Whether they are better or not, you can argue that but this is the way it is. I never once thought I should have my card locked up. We all knew going into the season it was going to be (No.) 125 after Sea Island (the RSM Classic in November) and not Wyndham. The cool thing is, yes I’m playing to earn my Tour card for next season but I get six opportunities to qualify for Maui. I see it as opportunity."