As the 2026 Genesis Scottish Open gets underway, with players like Wyndham Clark demonstrating precision on the course, the PGA Tour is facing growing scrutiny over its 2028 competition model. The introduction of a two-track system—designed to streamline the Tour into a Championship Series and a Challenger circuit—has triggered concerns regarding the future of historic national opens.
The Two-Track Challenge
Under the proposed 2028 structure, ‘Track 1’ (Championship Series) events will feature 120-player, all-exempt fields, effectively barring sponsor exemptions and open qualifiers. Conversely, ‘Track 2’ (Challenger) events will maintain larger, more inclusive fields. Industry analysts and players warn that forcing national opens into either track could dilute their traditional character.
If a tournament like the RBC Canadian Open or the Genesis Scottish Open is designated as a Track 2 event, it risks losing the participation of the world’s top 130 players. Conversely, if placed in Track 1, these events would lose their ‘open’ nature, shutting out local talents who rely on sponsor invites to compete in their national championships.
Player Perspectives and Proposed Solutions
Prominent figures, including Rory McIlroy, have urged the Tour to treat national opens with more nuance than standard commercial stops on the schedule. “We’ve got to be careful with that,” McIlroy noted, emphasizing that these tournaments hold a different cultural and competitive weight.
Robert MacIntyre, a leading Scottish voice in the sport, has suggested that the Scottish Open should transition back to being a full-time DP World Tour event and part of the Rolex Series. This shift could allow the tournament to serve as a proper precursor to The Open Championship, preserving its integrity. Other proposals involve creating an international points series for players who compete in both Canadian and Scottish opens, ensuring that top-tier talent remains incentivized to participate in these historic events without being restricted by rigid track limitations.