Tour plans to expand fields to compensate for lost playing opportunities

The PGA Tour continues to plan for golf's eventual return and is focusing on making up for lost playing opportunities caused by the coronavirus pandemic.

The Tour sent a memo to its members informing them that one way it plans to tackle the issue is by expanding field sizes, according to Golf Channel's Rex Hoggard. The Charles Schwab Challenge - the next event on the schedule - and the Memorial fields will increase from 120 players to 144.

"We are working around the clock to make adjustments to our future schedule," the memo reads. "To this end, please know that it is a priority of the Tour and the player advisory council to maximize additional playing opportunities this season."

Expanding the field of other events is also being considered.

To provide additional opportunities, the Tour plans to play opposite-field tournaments, which would likely run concurrently with the season's biggest competitions, sources told Hoggard.

Eleven events have already been impacted by COVID-19.

The Charles Schwab Challenge is scheduled to begin May 21.