Padraig Harrington has branded proposals to reduce fields for PGA Tour events as "terrible" for the sport.
The PGA Tour Policy Board will this month vote on proposals to restrict playing fields from 2026 onwards, lowering the number of full-time members from 125 to 100 and cutting the number of spaces available to Monday qualifiers from four to two for 132-player events.
Fields would be restricted to 120 players prior to daylight saving time and then 132 after daylight saving time - measures which are partly aimed at combating slow play in over-crowded fields.
Speaking to Eamonn Lynch on the Golf Channel this week, Harrington lashed out at the proposals, indicating they were part of an effort to create a closed shop for those at the top of the game.
"Just terrible, it really is," the three-time major winner said.
"I can't think how bad it is. In the end of the day, the people who are inside are voting to keep the things tighter and more closed.
"I can't think about how bad it is. Sure, yeah, why don't we just have 12 people in the event, if I'm included, and everybody else can go home.
"I know there’s a little bit of pressure to finish on time when fields go to 156 at certain times of the season or 144, but players will deal with it," he added.
"If this was like the Premier League, or the Championship, and there was a really, really good second tour, maybe the European Tour can be that. Maybe it works out. But to me, it definitely looks like the people on the inside are keeping it tighter."
Padraig Harrington gives his candid thoughts on the PGA TOUR's proposed changes.@eamonlynch @AnnaJacksonGC pic.twitter.com/wqtvztQtk3
— Golf Today (@GCGolfToday) November 6, 2024
Harrington acknowleded that no-cut fields benefitted sponsors in that highest profile players were guaranteed a spot for the weekend but argued that it would harm those players outside the elite.
"Not having a Monday qualifier... c’mon, that’s one of the most exciting things on the tour. The cut line is also one of the most exciting things on the tour but I know 'no-cut’ fields suit the sponsors. They want the leading names guaranteed to be there on the weekend.
"LIV have that advantage, the tour are struggling with that, and this is why they're trying to get the better players into the same events, so that they can be dependable.
"You know, tightening up fields is good for the TV and it's good for dependability. But honestly, I really don't think the system was broken.
"Maybe if I was in that top 60, I'd be going, 'Hey, this is great’, but it seems that if you're on the outside, it’s not a very good move."
Harrington is currently tied-11th after a one-under par opening round at the Charles Scwhab Championship at Phoenix Country Club, six strokes adrift of leader Stewart Cink.
The Dubliner is seeking his second win in a row after taking victory at the Simmons Bank Championship a fortnight ago, winning by two strokes from Korea's YE Yang - the same player who succeded him as PGA Champion in 2009.
That win at Little Rock was Harrington's third of the 2024 Champions Tour season, leaving him fourth in the overall standings, with Ernie Els still holding the lead.
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