Ryan Moore Criticizes PGA Tour's Membership Changes

Former PGA Tour winner says the Tour "has no idea what they're doing" with player status and access.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 6:31am

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Ryan Moore, a 43-year-old five-time PGA Tour winner, expressed frustration with the recent changes to PGA Tour membership and player status. After playing on the Tour for 20 straight years, Moore found himself with limited playing opportunities in 2025 due to his reduced past champion status. He believes the Tour has made it increasingly difficult for veteran players like himself to maintain full status and playing privileges.

Why it matters

Moore's comments highlight growing concerns among veteran PGA Tour players about the evolving membership structure and access to tournaments. As the Tour continues to focus on its marquee events and top players, some long-time professionals feel they are being marginalized and not adequately supported in the new system.

The details

After finishing the 2024 season ranked 151st in the FedEx Cup standings, Moore was reduced to past champion status, making him eligible for only a few events in 2025. He played just once on the PGA Tour that year, missing the cut. Moore believes the Tour has taken away too many playing opportunities for fringe players, forcing them to compete in nearly every event to retain status. He expressed frustration at the Tour's lack of support for veteran players who have had a 'hiccup' in their careers.

  • In 2025, Moore played just once on the PGA Tour, missing the cut at the Procore Championship in Napa, California.
  • Moore discussed the PGA Tour's changes with Commissioner Jay Monahan about a year and a half to two years ago.

The players

Ryan Moore

A 43-year-old five-time PGA Tour winner who has played on the Tour for 20 straight years without ever being demoted to the Korn Ferry Tour.

Jay Monahan

The Commissioner of the PGA Tour.

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What they’re saying

“None of us know. Even the Tour doesn't know at this point. They have no idea what they're doing. They keep saying a lot of things that turn out to be very wrong.”

— Ryan Moore

“If you go back three or four years ago with the exact same status, I would have played in at least 12 tournaments, maybe as much as 14-15, with fall [events] and with opposites and all that kind of stuff. But certainly a solid 12 and I think I got in four last year.”

— Ryan Moore

“Everything they were telling us was that the past champions and those types of status should theoretically have been better this year because there's less people with cards. I think missing through this whole process is they've taken away so many spots [in fields] that people that do have status have to play every tournament. There's no like, 'Well, I'll just take the week off.' People just have to play way more because they've taken away so much.”

— Ryan Moore

What’s next

Moore said he discussed the PGA Tour Champions eligibility age with Commissioner Jay Monahan, suggesting the senior circuit should start at age 45 instead of 50 to better support veteran players.

The takeaway

Ryan Moore's criticism of the PGA Tour's recent membership changes highlights the growing frustration among veteran players who feel they are being marginalized by a system that prioritizes the Tour's marquee events and top players. His comments raise questions about the long-term support and opportunities available for fringe PGA Tour professionals as the landscape continues to evolve.