NAPA, Calif. – After Peter Malnati shot 66 on Moving Day at Silverado’s North Course to rocket into contention for the Fortinet Championship he described the new FedExCup as “fun and thrilling, except if you’re trying to keep your 2024 job, then it’s quite a strain.”
Jimmy Walker, a PGA Tour veteran, won his first Tour title in CordeValle ten years ago. The 44-year old Walker shot 69 on Saturday and was projected to move up from No. The 44-year-old Walker shot 69 on Saturday, which was projected to improve him from No. Walker is ranked 118 but he doesn’t seem to be happy about the fact that he will still have to fight for the top 125 in the next few months.
“They changed rules. It’s always been 125. Then, you’re like, “No, 50 or 70?” It is definitely not 125. Walker stated that he thought it was total bullsh-t. I’ve worked for 11 months on 124, and now it’s just like, “nope, keep playing.” I will give it everything I have. “That’s all I could do.”
Walker, the former PGA Championship champion, considered calling it a day after his home event, the Valero Open. At 43, he had already ended his season. Then, enough players switched to LIV to propel Walker to the No. The Tour’s 50th highest earning player earned him a one-time exempt for 2022-23.
Walker played 25 events in this season, and is ranked No. After the Wyndham championship last month, traditionally the final event in the FedEx Cup Regular Season. Only the top 70 players earned a playoff spot and secured their cards for next year.
I can’t count how many people sent me a text congratulating me on reaching the 125. I was like, “No, man, it’s not the same.” I had to explain. Walker stated that they’ve done a poor job of communicating what’s happening. “I honestly don’t believe they knew what’s happening,” Walker said. It’s always been the same. LIV and Saudis happens and many things change. Everyone freaks out, and we sign a contract that ends litigation. I don’t understand what is going on. The players who have stayed will get a large payout. It’s all so amazing. The Tour does everything it can to look after itself and not the players. I’m out here giving it my all. “I’ve spent 20 years or so out here. You know.”
Walker was disappointed that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan didn’t attend the Fortinet Championship in order to answer players’ questions at the first tournament of the reimagined Fall schedule. Jason Dufner was another player to be able take advantage of the one-time exemption for the top 50 in career earnings. He entered the fall as No. The fall was a chance for Dufner, who entered the fall at No.
“We are all getting used to it.” Dufner stated that it was nice to be able to play again and to try to sneak back in to the 125-category. “I’m not going to say that I got lucky, but I used a career exemption for this season, on top of the ones I received last fall and this autumn. It’s a bonus deal for me, and I’m taking advantage of it to continue playing in some capacity.”
Walker is also lucky to have had the opportunity to play in the LIV last season. However, he does not like how the threat of the LIV has been used so dramatically to change the landscape.
“I came back to LIV, and then I felt like we had to change everything. We need to put more money in the PIP so that we can keep our players, and make these events better. I won’t be able to play Pebble Beach in the future, as there have always been 180 players on that field and I am a former champion. What if San Antonio were an elevated event? You’re telling me that I live in San Antonio, I have done a who knows how many pressers and all the things you asked me to do for you guys but I still can’t perform at my hometown event? It’s really bass -ackwards at the moment.”
Ryan Palmer, another veteran, said that he would play as many fall tournaments as necessary to lock up his playing privileges next year. Walker also said that he would do the same thing, noting, “it’s no strategy, it’s just my job, my cards.”
Malnati is a good example. He entered the Fortinet Championship ranked No. He had missed three consecutive cuts. Malnati disagrees, however, with Walker’s claim, that the Tour has moved the goalposts against him.
We’re changing things, so it’s only natural that people will say this. The situation must change. “Whether they’re better or worse, you can argue about that but it’s the way things are,” Malnati said. “I have never thought that my card should be locked. “We all knew it would be (No.). Sea Island (RSM Classic), not Wyndham, was ranked 125th after the Sea Island Classic. It’s cool that I can qualify for Maui six times, even though I am playing for my Tour Card for the next season. “I see it as an opportunity.”
