PGA TOUR announces schedule changes, increased purses for 2023

The PGA TOUR announced a series of changes Wednesday set to be implemented for the 2023 season.

Most notably, four elevated events - to be specified at a later date - will be added to the schedule. They'll feature purses of at least $20 million. Current elevated events include the four majors, The Players, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and the Memorial Tournament, among other events.

Players ranked inside the top 20 will also be required to participate in a minimum of 20 tournaments per year beginning next season. The top 20 rankings will be reflected by a revised Player Impact Program (PIP).

The PIP was introduced in 2021 to benefit players who impact business through popularity. The program has since doubled its amount of players and incentive money, which is now set at $100 million. PIP criteria in 2023 will include internet searches, general awareness, golf fan awareness, broadcast exposure, and media mentions.

Lastly, the TOUR is launching the "Earnings Assurance Program," which guarantees a league minimum of $500,000 for fully exempt Korn Ferry Tour members and above. Rookies and returning members will receive their money up front.

The changes come on the heels of a high-profile meeting spearheaded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy aimed at improving the TOUR's product in response to the emergence of LIV Golf.

"Today is a culmination of a strengthened partnership between the TOUR and the players, and amongst the players themselves," commissioner Jay Monahan said. "It's unprecedented for our TOUR and a testament to who these guys are and what they believe in."

Monahan also made clear he's not budging on suspensions for players who defected to the rival circuit.

"They've joined the LIV Golf Series, and they've made that commitment," Monahan said, per Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard. "I've been clear throughout, every player has a choice, and I respect that choice. I think they understand that."

The current PGA TOUR season is set to conclude this weekend with the TOUR Championship.