What that new model should look like is being debated among Tour officials and TV and sponsorship executives. Both Thomas and Maverick McNealy, who are members of the Tour’s Player Advisory Council, hadn’t heard of the topic until a reporter asked them for comment on an Athletic story that cited anonymous sources.

Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley has even more experience with the optimism and nerves that come with a new season. He made his debut as a PGA Tour member in the Sony Open in 2011. Bradley went on to win the Byron Nelson and the PGA Championship that year, but he also has strong memories of the start.

The new PGA Tour season continues this week with the 2025 Sony Open, the second event on the calendar. It will once again be held at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, with the first round beginning on Thursday morning.