Kuchar Faces Challenges in PGA Tour’s New Landscape for 2026

Matt Kuchar concluded his nineteenth consecutive season on the PGA Tour, finishing at No. 118 in the FedEx Cup rankings. This position would typically secure a full card, but the PGA Tour has altered its cutoff for membership eligibility, now requiring players to finish in the top 100 instead of the previous top 125. As a result, Kuchar, who is 47 years old, faces uncertainty as he plans for the 2026 season.

Kuchar’s immediate options include utilizing his exemptions based on career earnings. However, the landscape of the PGA Tour has transformed significantly since he first joined in 2002. The tour now features eight signature events, four major championships, The Players Championship, and three FedEx Cup playoff events. Unfortunately for Kuchar, his current ranking does not qualify him for any of these prestigious tournaments.

“I don’t know how many starts I’ll get,” Kuchar stated after finishing T-67 at the RSM Classic. He expressed uncertainty about the effectiveness of using an exemption to secure additional tournament entries. “It’s a tricky one. It’s not going to get you into any elevated events,” he remarked, highlighting the challenges he faces in the current competitive environment.

The PGA Tour estimates that players ranked between No. 101 and No. 110 in the FedEx Cup will gain entry into approximately 16 of the 19 tournaments available. Kuchar, now eight spots below that range, could find his opportunities limited if he does not perform well at the beginning of the upcoming season. He does have time to consider his two available exemptions, but the decision is crucial.

Even with the recent changes and high purse sizes, Kuchar’s long-standing success places him at No. 15 in career earnings, totaling an impressive $61,538,738. This figure puts him over $15.4 million ahead of the player currently ranked No. 25. Consequently, delaying the decision to use the top 25 exemption may not significantly impact his prospects.

As Kuchar reflects on the past year, he acknowledges the challenges he faced. With only one top-10 finish in 2025—a tie for fifth at the John Deere Classic—he expressed frustration about his performance. “It’s not the 2025 that I hoped for. It was a frustrating year,” Kuchar said, noting that while he missed only two cuts in 18 starts, he struggled to combine strong ball striking with effective putting.

Looking ahead, Kuchar must navigate these uncertain waters before the Sony Open in Hawaii, which is scheduled for January 2026. His decisions in the coming month will significantly shape his trajectory in the upcoming season and beyond. As Kuchar prepares for this next chapter, he remains focused on finding the best path forward in a rapidly evolving PGA Tour landscape.