THE PGA TOUR HAS FOUND AN ‘EXTRA’ $96 MILLION
We’re not sure whether Jay Monahan has been pulling the same levers as Barcelona FC, but we had to double take when we saw that the PGA Tour are now offering a record-breaking $543,200,000 this season, plus around $196 million in bonuses. Having previously committed to eight “elevated” events for the new season, the PGA Tour have added four more with a minimum purse of $20 million each – matching the money being doled out by LIV Golf for their individual tournaments. Monahan stopped short of naming the four for the time being, but they are expected to rotate from one year to the next. And the Scottish Open has been mooted as a possibility.
TOP PLAYERS TO COMMIT TO PLAYING 20 EVENTS A SEASON…
In return for helping to line their pockets even more, the ‘top players’ will commit to play in at least 20 PGA Tour events a season, according to Jay Monahan. These include all four Major championships, as well as the Players Championship, the 12 mega tournaments and three other events of their choosing. It all sounds good in principle, except someone forgot to run the idea past Jon Rahm first. To qualify as a member of the European Ryder Cup team, a golfer must play four DP World Tour events. And on top of the 20-tournament commitment, that would be too much for Rahm and potentially several others as well.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if that changes because that puts me in a difficult position, having to play from January until August 20 times,” explains Rahm. “So yeah, especially with Ryder Cup and having to play four in Europe, I think it’s a bit of an ask. I wouldn’t be surprised if they revise a bit of a rule or make an exception for some players.”
THE PIP IS HERE TO STAY
Only 10 players were financially compensated last year for being popular and posting a few tweets– and five of them have already said goodbye to the PGA Tour. Moving forward, the PGA Tour plan to reward 20 members who ‘resonate most’ with fans and media with an even bigger share of the Player Impact Programme fund, which is rising from $40 million to $100 million for 2022 and 2023. The top ‘needle mover’ each year will now pocket $15 million, which is considerably more than Tiger Woods has banked in on-course earnings over the last nine seasons combined on the PGA Tour. Tiger won the initial PIP last year, but now players will be required to play a minimum number of tournaments to be eligible for the bonus.
… BUT THE QUALIFYING CRITERIA WILL CHANGE
Max Homa’s Twitter game might be excellent, but social media impact is
no longer part of the PIP qualifying criteria. We’re still not sure the powers that be know exactly how it will work, but the ranking will be based on things such as internet searches, general awareness, golf fan awareness, broadcast exposure and media mentions. In other words, you and TG will have a greater say on where that
$100 million goes.
MEMBERS WILL RECEIVE A GUARANTEED $500,000 EACH YEAR
It’s not as lucrative as some appearance fees, but a new ‘Earnings Assurance Program’ offers a whole lot of financial security and guarantees that every fully exempt PGA Tour member (Korn Ferry Tour category and above) will be paid a minimum salary of $500,000 for playing 15 times a season. Last season 163 players made that amount in on-course earnings on the PGA Tour, but others, including Englishman David Skinns, weren’t so lucky. In 23 starts, the 40-year-old rookie missed 12 cuts and banked ‘just’ $243,143 for his efforts. When you factor in his expenses, including travel, accommodation and caddie costs, he probably struggled to break even. The new format is designed to offer a safety net for players like Skinns, and ensure returning members and rookies receive that money up front, with earnings drawn against the cash advance. Players who fail to earn $500,000 will then be paid the difference by the Tour.
“That’s the game changer,” says veteran Ryan Armour. “It’s a backstop, yeah, but it gives you options. A rookie, especially, maybe
‘EVERY FULLY EXEMPT MEMBER WILL BE PAID A MINIMUM SALARY OF $500,000 FOR PLAYING 15 TIMES A SEASON’
(with that money) his wife can quit her job and travel with him. He can put a little money away. Travel is expensive, especially in the fall part of the schedule. Let’s face it: $500K is no joke.”
ALL PLAYERS WILL BE COMPENSATED
Those who aren’t fully exempt but still retain some PGA Tour status will receive $5,000 for every missed cut. Travel and tournament related expenses will also be subsidised by the Tour but, crucially, it will not impact tournament purses.
IT PAYS TO BE IN THE PIP
Any player finishing inside the top 20 in the PIP ranking will almost certainly be assured of a place in these ‘elevated events’ outside of the Fedex Cup Playoff events. Monahan has confirmed that the PGA Tour are now using PIP to help define a “top player”.
LIV GOLFERS ARE NOT WELCOME BACK
Did you ever seriously think they would be? When asked whether the LIV Golf rebels would have their suspensions lifted if they were impressed by the PGA Tour’s changes and wanted to return, Monahan replied: “No.”
“They’ve joined the LIV Golf Series and they’ve made that commitment. As I’ve been clear throughout, every player has a choice, and I respect their choice, but they’ve made it. We’ve made ours. I think they understand that.” The lawsuit may suggest otherwise!
Interestingly, Monahan denied reports that the PGA Tour would have to renounce their tax-exempt non-profit status, but he did admit to being open to more creative workarounds to line the pockets of their members, which brings us on to the launch of yet another golf league…
TIGER AND RORY ARE BRINGING US MONDAY NIGHT GOLF
A new golf league is coming to the PGA Tour in January 2024 – it just won’t take place on an actual golf course. Tiger and Rory are behind the creation of TGL, a new tech-driven exhibition series which will rival Monday Night Football and see six teams of three PGA Tour players competing on a virtual golf course.
The details remain sketchy at present, but the league closely resembles Topgolf rather than traditional golf, with each match taking place in a stadium arena (a bit like the 16th at TPC Scottsdale). Each team will play five times over the 15-week season on Monday nights, with playoffs and a final to follow.
The location of the custom-built venue has yet to be determined, but our understanding is that simulators will be used and players will hit their drives and approaches into a cinema-sized screen. The action will then move to a dedicated short game complex for chipping and putting in front of a live audience.
Tiger and Rory are the first golfers to sign up to the series, which comes with the promise of 18 holes taking no longer than two hours. Which should make the slow play police happy.
‘TIGER AND RORY ARE THE FIRST GOLFERS TO SIGN UP TO THE SERIES, WHICH COMES WITH THE PROMISE OF 18 HOLES TAKING NO LONGER THAN TWO HOURS’