and at the top of that list, of course, is Tiger Woods. This Career Milestone Exemption would be a pathway available to tour members in the top 25 and top 50 on the career money list, but it appears that Woods, winner of a record-tying 82 tour titles, could not exercise the option as the proposed regulations currently read. According to guidelines the tour released Tuesday, players who are among the career money leaders at the end of the 2027 season have a one-time opportunity for exemption to the Championship Series in 2028. But members must play at least 15 tour events in 2027. Due to health constraints, Woods, 50, has not competed since the 2024 Open Championship. The last time he played in at least 15 events was during the 2017-18 season when he made 18 starts. The career money exemption is available beyond 2028, but eligible players must have held Championship Series membership the year prior and use it immediately the following season. 

Tyler Dennis, the tour’s chief competitions officer, said “there’s still work to do on that to finalize the exact calculations and everything,” which suggests there might be an allowance for special circumstances. Dennis added that Woods, who chairs the Future Competitions Committee spearheading changes to the tour, hasn’t explored any options that favor him. “His focus has been on trying the make the PGA Tour live past any of us, so that was clearly his orientation.”