PGA Tour told to make U-turn on 'shameful' decision: "This is all player driven"

Thomas Detry's emotional victory at the WM Phoenix Open wasn't the only feel-good story that developed at the PGA Tour's biggest party. 

Will Chandler, 27, was one of three players that earned his spot in the field at TPC Scottsdale in last week's Monday qualifier. 

In his third official PGA Tour appearance, he hit rounds of 68-67 to make the cut then fired rounds of 68 and 66 over the weekend to finish in a tie for sixth. 

"It feels good for sure," Chandler told reporters after finishing six clear of runaway World No.1 and reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler. 

Sadly from 2026, though, there will be fewer stories like Chandler's as the Tour has decided to eliminate some Monday qualifiers for certain events. 

This change is part of a broader initiative to reduce field sizes and streamline event operations. 

By limiting the number of participants, the Tour claims they will enhance the overall quality of play and address issues such as slow pace during tournaments.

Not everyone is a fan, though, and some have argued that by limiting playing opportunities we will see fewer compelling David vs. Goliath stories. 

Multiple major champion Padraig Harrington recently hit out at the move, describing it as one of the 'strangest decisions' the PGA has ever made. 

"If it was up to me I’d be focusing more on Monday qualifiers," he posted on X.  

"There's a movie script story nearly every week. I'd give the leading qualifier a TV draw and get a TV crew to follow him for the week.

"I would do this even more so in the signature events. We could have a 'Tin Cup' story any given week. 

"Could you imagine a struggling pro finishing in the top-10 and winning half a million? Nobody would begrudge that payout."

A number of PGA Tour fans also lamented the change after seeing Chandler's performance. 

'Shame on the Tour," one wrote. 

Another added: "The PGA Tour removing Monday qualifiers will be one of their biggest mistakes ever."

Here's some more comments:

"I mean this is all player driven. All of it."

"I think the PGA Tour was short-sighted when it came to this topic. What’s more interesting/exciting than a new star being born on the tour? They took the American political model that precludes most regular citizens from getting into politics."

"The coverage even glazed over the fact he was a Monday qualifier."

"This is a shameful decision from the PGA Tour."

"Is anyone even surprised?"

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