Starting in 2023, a lot of changes will be taking place on the PGA Tour to combat the rival LIV Tour. Despite the stern thoughts early on that this was not about money, but rather legacy, financial changes are being made including some tournaments getting a big purse increase.
Sentry: $15m from $8m
Genesis, Arnold Palmer Invivational, Memorial and WGC: $20m from $12m
Players: $25m from $20m
FedEx St Jude and BMW: $20m from $15m
And you can expect more confirmations coming soon on major changes taking place.
I don’t often view myself as a glass half full person, but I feel like I’m looking at the PGA Tour through rose-colored glasses. While I agree they should have made these changes proactively, I applaud them for making improvements moving forward. As a wise man recently said, you can’t drive a car looking in the rear view mirror.
I agree with this fully. While it was forced and I wish they didn’t try to bully and shame with threats, this is a step in the right direction to right the ship and move forward with a deep tour and great events
I couldn’t give a damn about their top 50 big money exhibitions, but love the change to the season calendar and veeeery curious to see what they have in store for 70-125 even though I’m disappointed they’re not doing more to target those guys. Which I do understand from a business and visibility perspective.
If fans are so upset with the PGA over this they should get the LIV hat and go support that tour, it’s where pro golfers are treated like royalty, you’ll never be offended by their paychecks.
People don’t have to choose do they? Seems odd.
This doesn’t sit well with me that you have to "pay money" to volunteer for a PGA tour event. They make it seem like they are the ones doing the volunteers favors.
But here’s the question nobody is answering.
Was that operating reserve being held just at the whim of the greedy executives? Or was it being held by them with the consent of the members and the player-representative committee members (or whatever it’s called)?
That’s a big difference. Everybody is assuming it’s the former. Furthermore, for what purpose was it being held?
Considering there was quite the volunteer waitlist for the US Open, it seems like most people disagree.
Wait wait wait…. You pay to volunteer?! I’ve worked high end courses and volunteered at a PGA event… maybe it’s because it was a smaller event or because I was working a course at the time but it was free to provide free labor. Anything else is ridiculous.
The amount depends on the event you volunteer. It is around $50-$100 to volunteer for PGA tour events. The bigger the event the more it costs. Majors not run by the PGA tour cost the most. 2022 US Open was $240, but that was run by USGA. You do get perks like clothing, food, access/tickets to the tournament, among some other things, but still seems strange to have to pay to work. However, people line up to volunteer, so more power to them.
I can only speak for the Memorial Tournament as a first class organization. They never asked anything of us to pay except additional clothing if necessary but it was not required. Even the year I did decide to spend $30 bucks for a rain jacket was a drop in the bucket when we receive week long passes in return that sell for (I think) $160 bucks each.
The tour is a golf business and they were bullshitting us when they talked about legacy. The same for all paid golf commentators.
Phil has been crucified but it looks like he wasn’t that wrong. I’ve lost a great deal of respect for the PGA Tour.
to keep more players from jumping ship? The opportunity to play for more money as opposed to the guaranteed cash Liv is offering doesn’t seem like the solution there.
the 50 person exhibition could be cool IMO but I don’t see that as a incentive for players who are considering leaving to stay either.
The fact of the matter is that the tour reacted reactively as opposed to proactively. It’s much too late to shut this can of worms now.
I think Jay has shown his true colors in this and because of that the history of golf is fragmented.
Now us fans get a devalued product on both ends (LIV AND PGA). The players win in both situations ( more $$$) and the fans who help pay those purses lose with a split talent field and more than likely a worse viewing experience which was already more than suspect.
sad
Applaud for what? LIV should be getting the applause for forcing the PGA to open the vault and make long overdue changes.
You quoted it. For making improvements moving forward. Feel free to applaud LIV, I’m sure they’d appreciate the feedback. As shown in their financial reporting, the PGA Tour was profitable and there was no direct competition, so they maintained the status quo. Change is uncomfortable. People and organizations often don’t like to make change unless forced to. Enter LIV. Time for the PGA Tour to evolve or die.
Oh I bet Phil is dancing all over the place right now.