The Wichita Open, a long-standing fixture on the Korn Ferry Tour schedule, is set to depart the circuit after this year and will instead join the newly-formed PGA Tour Americas starting in 2026.
The move signals both the evolving landscape of developmental tours and the increasing influence of PGA Tour-connected pathways outside the traditional U.S. route.
For decades, the Wichita Open has provided a launching pad for up-and-coming professional golfers. Now, by shifting to PGA Tour Americas–a tour designed to span the Western Hemisphere and provide access toward the main PGA Tour–the event is positioning itself differently in the global golf development ecosystem.
“From the community support to the fan and player experience, the Wichita Open has created a legacy that sets it up for immediate success on PGA Tour Americas,” president of PGA Tour Americas and Korn Ferry Tour, Alex Baldwin, said. “For over 30 years, the future stars of the PGA Tour have competed in Wichita and we are excited to see that tradition continue as an event on PGA Tour Americas.”
Why the Change?
One major reason behind the shift appears to be strategic alignment. The PGA Tour Americas is an emerging tour intended to strengthen the funnel from global talent into the PGA Tour ecosystem, offering opportunities in regions like Latin America, Canada and the U.S. track that align with international growth. By joining PGA Tour Americas, the Wichita Open can leverage that pipeline.
From the Korn Ferry side, it continues its role but likely with slightly changed contours; the loss of a prominent event like Wichita may reflect the Tour’s own evolution or realignment of markets and geography.
For the Wichita Open organizers, the opportunity seems clear: aligning themselves with the broader PGA Tour brand offers greater visibility, potential upward mobility for its champions, and perhaps an edge in sponsorship and broadcast exposure. In a world where tour status and positioning matter almost as much as performance, the move may give players entering through the Wichita event a different kind of pathway.
“The bottom line was what can we do to keep the tournament here and continue to elevate it into something that this community is proud of?” tournament director, Dusty Buell, said. “Every decision we make is guided by the principles of, ‘This is for the people of Wichita, Kansas.’ So we’re very excited and happy that PGA Tour golf is going to be in Wichita now and for the foreseeable future.”
Impact on Players & the Competitive Ecosystem
For the players, the change could carry substantial implications. Historically, the Wichita Open has been part of the Korn Ferry Tour’s schedule, offering players a chance to earn points and secure status or advancement toward the PGA Tour.
Some players may see this as a positive: playing in a tour with clearer links to major-tour status, perhaps less saturated competition, or new growth opportunities. Others may view it as uncertain: the Korn Ferry Tour remains the traditional path to the PGA Tour, and shifting away could mean different risk-reward mathematics.
It also changes the narrative around the event: rather than simply being another stop on the Korn Ferry calendar, the Wichita Open becomes part of a bigger strategic initiative. That may draw in more media attention and stronger sponsor investment, all of which feed back into how developmental golf tournaments are valued.
“One thing we are very happy about is that we don’t have to raise prices,” Buell said. “We can put on the same, exact tournament. We’re still going to entertain the professional golfers that come to Wichita and we’re not going to have to jack up prices. So when you come to the tournament, other than a certain level of golfer, you’re not going to know that anything has changed. That was very important to us.”
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