Fans of the PGA Tour are about to witness an exciting few weeks of golf action, as the Masters has kicked off a packed schedule featuring two major championships and three signature events over the next six weeks. The season culminates with the highly anticipated PGA Championship from May 14-17.

This week, the RBC Heritage takes its usual spot on the calendar right after the Masters, while the newly introduced Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral in early May will add to the congestion. This makes for a jam-packed spring schedule, keeping the Tour's top players on their toes.

Justin Thomas, speaking to reporters Tuesday before his attempt to defend his RBC Heritage title, expressed mixed feelings about the upcoming stretch. He acknowledged that while the season is critical, it’s the major tournaments that shape players' schedules and legacies. "The season is important," Thomas said, "but majors are what guys generally build their schedule around. It's also how your legacy in the game is remembered for a lot of people."

Though he appreciates the importance of these events, Thomas admitted that playing through tough courses in quick succession might not be ideal for many players. "Going to very difficult courses into a major isn't probably how it would be drawn up for a lot of guys," Thomas said. "But it's one of those things that we’ve had some changes, and we’ll probably see more in the next couple of years, until it gets something that’s a little more ideal for guys."

Thomas was referring to the expected changes being planned by the PGA Tour and the Future Competition Committee, which aims to revise the calendar and structure of the Tour. The current plan includes a two-track system, where top-tier players will play 21-26 events over the season, while a lower tier will allow rising players to qualify for more prominent tournaments.

As it stands, the elite players will compete in the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links, the Cadillac Championship at Doral’s "Blue Monster," and the Truist Championship at Quail Hollow Club ahead of the PGA Championship.

While Harbour Town’s relatively relaxed layout makes it a more player-friendly course, the other two venues, Doral and Quail Hollow, are much more challenging. Despite that, the RBC Heritage has seen winners score as low as 17-under par in recent years, with Thomas emerging victorious in a playoff last year after tying Andrew Novak at 17-under 267. Many players see the event as an opportunity to unwind with family after the intensity of the Masters.

"It's tough, but I find that using Monday as a day off helps," Thomas said, explaining how he approaches the hectic schedule. "We stay Sunday night, drive here yesterday, and just take the day off. I came and saw my physio, but just really need a day to rest and decompress before getting back to it."

One silver lining for players is that Harbour Town offers a less physically demanding walk compared to the hilly terrain of Augusta National. "The physio room yesterday afternoon was pretty busy," Thomas said, adding that many players are feeling sore after the Masters. "It feels like you’re floating around here a little bit."

As the PGA Tour rolls on, it will be exciting to see how these signature events shape the rest of the season and whether changes to the Tour’s calendar will help make it even more competitive.

-Field Level Media/Reuters