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An old mule finds his stride: Ryan Armour approves of PGA Tour’s 2028 overhaul

Ryan Armour, a vocal advocate for mid-tier PGA Tour players, has welcomed the league’s upcoming 2028 restructuring as a long-overdue opportunity for those he once called the 'mules.' The proposed changes, announced by PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp, will split the tour into two tiers: the Championship Series, featuring 120-player fields and $20 million purses, and the Challenger Series, with 144-player fields and $4 million purses. Armour praised the expansion, noting it will increase playing opportunities from 72 to 264 per week, while introducing a promotion/relegation system at season’s end.

His criticism of the tour’s past structure—where limited fields and no-cut events sidelined solid players—stemmed from 2023, when the league prioritized retaining top stars amid LIV Golf’s poaching efforts. Armour’s frustration resonated widely, with his 'mules' nickname capturing the sentiment of players who felt undervalued despite their contributions to charity events and pro-ams.

The overhaul aims to address that imbalance by ensuring more players earn their way into competitive events, rather than being relegated to peripheral roles. Armour, who initially coined the term during a casual interview, now sees the changes as a chance to restore fairness and opportunity.

The new format, still in scheduling development, could mark a turning point for players who have long felt overlooked in the tour’s elite-focused landscape.

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