Money makes the world go round. For athletes, that rings true; and it seems the PGA is adjusting to that mindset.
At the Travelers Championship, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan announced changes in the tournament construction as well as price increases within the Tour schedule.
The increase includes purses of $20 million more for the top-50 on the previous season’s FedEx Cup standings. The implemented schedule for next season will also include eight limited-field, no-cut tournaments.
Speaking on the price raise, Monahan stated the move is made with the hope that they make sure that their top events are “maximized” expressing the need to respond to the “current environment that we are in.’’
Despite his insistence on the PGA being in a good spot, the commissioner spoke of the LIV Golf Invitational Series as an issue to the game, acknowledging their presence in the sport.
“If this is an arms race and if the only weapons here are dollar bills, the PGA Tour can’t compete. The PGA Tour, an American institution, can’t compete with a foreign monarchy that is spending billions of dollars in an attempt to buy the game of golf.
We welcome good, healthy competition. The LIV Saudi Golf League is not that. It’s an irrational threat, one not concerned with the return on investment or true growth of the game.”
The lucrative deals have resulted in many stars jumping ship, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and most recently Brooks Koepka, who earned nearly $38 million during his career but can earn a bonus of more than $100 million with his signing.
The Nonprofit organization has been around since 1929 and has been a fixture in men’s golf ever since. It contrasts with the Saudi-Arabian-funded LIV Tour, which is positioned to cater to players monetarily.
Given the history of the Saudi government, it is much to the chagrin of many.
PGA Tour announce schedule, purse changes amid LIV acquisitions
