Tour Confidential: 2028 schedule news, playoff bubble players and more

In the weekly "Tour Confidential" column, GOLF.com writers analyze the hottest topics in golf. This week, the discussion centers on the PGA Tour's initial steps in shaping the 2028 schedule, the intrigue surrounding FedEx Cup playoff berths, and new broadcast formats.

1. 2028 Schedule: First Steps and New Sponsors

The first batch of Championship Series events for the PGA Tour's 2028 schedule has been revealed, including the traditional Travelers Championship, Sentry, and Arnold Palmer Invitational. Of particular interest is the newly announced Sompo Championship, which will replace the current Napa stop, with its location yet to be determined. Senior editor Nick Piastowski noted that while the Travelers, Sentry, and Arnold Palmer were expected, securing a new sponsor for a Championship Series event is a significant win for the PGA Tour. "Securing a new sponsor following a format shakeup should be considered a big win for the PGA Tour. Where the event will be played in two years will also be of interest. Stay tuned," he commented.

Associate news editor Josh Schrock highlighted the significance of attracting a new sponsor with a $20 million purse for a Championship Series event. "The Tour's ability to get a new sponsor to buy in for a Championship Series event with a $20 million purse is noteworthy. We’ve heard the demand from sponsors is higher than initially thought and this might prove that case. The rumored move of the Sompo to Seattle in 2028 would be a big win if it comes to pass," he stated.

Senior writer Josh Sens expressed skepticism about the Tour's claims of high sponsor demand, noting that "time will tell if that’s really the case." He also commented on the change in status for what was formerly the Procore Championship, an event with a low-wattage field. "It is an interesting change in status for what used to be the Procore, an event with such a low-wattage field that it had morphed into a kind of wine country version of the Waste Management, with live bands and food and other non-golf attractions aimed at ramping up interest. The rumored move to Seattle makes sense. A major market that doesn’t see a lot of pro golf. I’ve heard Sahalee tossed around as a potential site, but why not Chambers Bay? More interesting course. And public access, too," Sens added.

2. Unexpected Championship Series Entrants: What's Next?

The emergence of the Sompo Championship in the elite tournament list raises questions about the potential unpredictability of the schedule's formation. Nick Piastowski attempted to analyze how many more spots remain in the Championship Series, which the Tour says will include 23-24 events. "We’re gonna get 23 to 24 events in the Championship Series, the Tour says — and that includes the Players, the four majors, the Tour Championship, an international team event (Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup) and, once every four years, the Olympics. So that’s seven or eight events. Let’s add two playoff events. That’s nine to 10 events. We know of the four above. That’s 13 to 14. The final 10? Likely candidates are the WM Phoenix Open, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Genesis Invitational, the RBC Heritage, the Cadillac Championship, the Truist Championship and the Memorial. So … the final three could be interesting," he speculated.

Josh Schrock believes there isn't much room left for surprises. "I don’t know how unpredictable it could get. With the Heritage, Pebble, Cadillac, Memorial, Genesis, WMPO and Truist presumably filling Championship slots, we don’t have a lot of room for shock. I feel like the winds are blowing toward the 3M getting a spot, which would be a surprise of sorts," he noted.

Josh Sens agreed that "there’s not a lot of room left for wild surprises." He added that "what’s less obvious is which sponsors will step up. In that sense, it seems likely to be a tail-wagging-the-dog type scenario. Which event becomes part of the Championship Series will depend more on the interests of the sponsor than on the merits of the tournament itself."

3. The FedEx Cup Playoff Battle: Who's on the Bubble?

The FedEx Cup Playoffs are just around the corner, and this week's Wyndham Championship is the last chance for professionals to crack the top 70. Rocket Classic winner Michael Thorbjornsen made a massive jump in the standings (from 69th to 38th), and other players will be looking to do the same in North Carolina.

Nick Piastowski highlighted Jackson Koivun, who is currently 70th. "I’m going right to Mr. 70 at the moment — Jackson Koivun. Don’t you get the feeling he’ll make a run in the playoffs? Then get a call to the Presidents Cup team? Then get one to next year’s Ryder Cup team? Just having some fun here," he shared.

Josh Schrock named Brooks Koepka. "Withdrew from the Rocket with an injury so his playoffs are in doubt. Needs a big week, if he plays, to not see his season end next week. Honorable mention to Tony Finau, who has been fighting it this year and needs something special to keep his playoff streak alive," he said.

Josh Sens added Keegan Bradley to the list. "Currently at 72, just outside the bubble. He may never get over the Ryder Cup, but nabbing a spot in the playoffs wouldn’t hurt his mood," he noted.

4. Broadcast Experiment: Announcer-Free Stream

The PGA Tour debuted an announcer-free stream for all four rounds of the Rocket Classic, focusing on player-caddie interaction, crowd reactions, and natural course audio. Nick Piastowski admitted he didn't tune in but believes "it’s extremely dependent on the PGA Tour’s 'talkers.' Otherwise, it’s a bit stale." He added: "But what I very much want to see is pro golf’s version of the Manningcast. Two former pros as hosts. Fun guests. Some analysis. Action in the background."

Josh Schrock called the idea "an interesting idea that needs more work." "I could do with a lot of caddie-player convo with a walking on-course reporter and no play-by-play and desk commentator. This was fun and interesting at times but needs work," he said.

Josh Sens feels the format "works well in small doses, but, as Nick suggests, it depends on the players and the caddies, and which announcer voices are being silenced. Not all network commentators are created equal. Some add so little to the broadcast that I’d almost rather hear chatbots discussing the action, which, come to think of it, is probably where we’re headed anyway."

5. LPGA Major Season Takeaways: Who's Regretting What Could Have Been?

Shiho Kuwaki's victory at the AIG Women's Open, defeating Esther Henseleit in a playoff, officially closed out the women's major season. Nelly Korda and Haeran Ryu showcased strong performances, and the tournaments were held at great venues. However, according to Nick Piastowski, "I really thought Jeeno Thitikul would win a major this year. She did post three top 10s. A one-under on Sunday would have gotten her in the playoff. She’ll break through eventually."

Josh Schrock noted that the LPGA "got the major start that it wanted with Nelly ripping off the first two. They did their best to parlay that into more interest but needed more from Charley Hull, Lydia Ko, Jeeno Thitikul and other star names. Haeran Ryu went on an epic heater and looked like she was poised to win three in a row before Lytham punched her on Saturday. Hull should be kicking herself after another major season without a win. She did her best to push Korda at the USWO but came up short. I thought she had a chance on Sunday at Lytham (as did 10 others) but couldn’t hit the shots down the stretch. She’s now 0-for-65 in majors, and while she still has a lot of runway in front of her, sometimes you’re just always a bridesmaid."

Josh Sens called Hull "a great personality and a compelling player" but "senses a bit of a Rickie Fowler phenomenon to her stardom, where her popularity outstrips her actual performance. She has three career wins on the LPGA Tour. That’s a fine accomplishment. But the sky-high expectations around her in the majors are a tad unrealistic." As for what could have been, Sens added: "Haeran Ryu can’t possibly be disappointed with her major campaign. But I’d understand her feeling wistful after this past weekend, when a chance for what would have been a historic three straight eluded her."