Rival tour a blessing in disguise for players

Talks about rival tournaments have already begun and Jordan Spieth was among those asked about a proposed golf league backed by Saudi Arabia.

Spieth admitted that a

Saudi-backed competition would be a “threat” to the PGA Tour.

He also contended that, in some respect, all the rumours and rumblings of a potential challenger have actually been a good thing for the PGA Tour.

He said: “I think as a player, overall, it will benefit in that I think that the changes that have come from the PGA Tour have been modernised in a way that may or may not have come about if [the reports on the Saudi league] weren’t there.

“So, I think for us players on the PGA Tour, I think that so far it’s been something that has kind of helped the PGA Tour sit and say, hey, where can we look to satisfy our membership and potentially make some changes going forward where there’s some similarities potentially to a league like that, but while maintaining kind of the integrity.”

Spieth was, of course, referring to several new earning (financial) incentives for players that the PGA Tour announced in recent months, from the US$40-million Player Impact Program to $50,000 Play 15 bonuses, and to increased tournament purses.

Out of Bounds: The feedback that came from many readers for my few lines last week was greatly appreciated. It was gratifying to hear that many of you agreed on my questioning as to why already very rich players are to get richer for not actually making one swing. At the risk of being locked up and the key being thrown away, can I ask all the players heading off for next month’s Saudi Arabia event — is it the appearance money or the joyful experience of visiting an oil-rich country that makes the long trip attractive?