The PGA announced major changes for the tour season next year as a way to combat losing golfers to the new rival LIV golf league. This article will examine the changes and determine if they will work or not.
Larger Prize Pools
With the amount of money that players can make by leaving the PGA tour for the LIV golf league, the PGA is planning on having larger prize pools and payouts. The total prize pool is still not as much as the LIV league, but they also have the history and prestige that, hopefully, combined with the increase in pay, will stop golfers from leaving.
The new format will still reward golfers that play the best for the specific tournament rather than a payday for just playing in the tournament, which differs from LIV. There will be fewer golfers than before, meaning more money to be given out to the golfers that play well.
Smaller Player Pools
Unlike every other year the PGA has been in operation, they will now have 70-80 players for specific tournaments. This will also create a two-tier tournament style where the better events are saved for, the better golfers.
The impact of this will be that less prestigious events will draw less attention due to the lack of big-name players. This will also make good tournaments, but not majors, more of a draw due to the need to see the big-name golfers when you have a chance.
No Cuts
As stated above, the smaller player pools will result in not having the need for a cut after Thursday and Friday. With every golfer making it to the weekend, fans can also see more golf from the biggest names, even if they are having an off weekend.
Names such as Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, and Jon Rahm will be guaranteed to play four rounds of golf which will keep viewership high for casual fans that just want to watch the stars. Hardcore fans will still be focused on the contenders, but everyone can agree that seeing Woods in his iconic Red on Sunday will be better for the sport.
Overall
The changes, whether or not being received well right now, are needed. Just like every sport or industry that has competition, you need to adapt, and that is what the PGA is doing. Time will tell if they work as intended, but for a sport that is very reluctant to change, this is a huge step in the right direction.
The history of the tour will still be upheld; just smaller tournaments will have a different feel than before. When it’s time for the majors or other big tournaments, fans will still get to see their favorite golfers compete and wow us like they have for years.
