It seems our beloved sport is undergoing quite the shake-up, and I'm here to tee up the latest news for you. It's time to talk about the PGA TOUR and LIV Golf; these two are mixing things up more than a caddy juggling a bag full of clubs. So buckle up, grab your favorite putter, and let's dive right in!
The PGA TOUR Calendar Reset and More
First off, let's talk about the PGA TOUR. It's going back to the future by returning to a calendar-year schedule starting from 2024. You heard that right folks - we're saying goodbye to the wraparound season and hello to a traditional January-December tour. Does this mean I'll have to buy a new calendar? Probably not, but it's an excuse to get one with pictures of beautifully manicured golf courses on it!
And that's not all, folks! We've got more changes coming than a golfer has swing thoughts. Brace yourselves, because the FedExCup Playoffs will now be a tighter squeeze than trying to fit your golf cart into a too-small parking space. The top 70 will make the cut for the first event at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, and only the top 50 will swing their way to the BMW Championship. And as usual, the top 30 will have the honor of competing for the FedExCup at the TOUR Championship.
International Events and Prize Purses: Onwards and Upwards
But wait! There's more. The TOUR is also making room for up to three international, no-cut, limited-field events. Details are still under review, but I'm already dusting off my passport and packing my sunscreen. And did I mention the purses? We're talking about increases that would make even the biggest high-rollers blush. Some events in 2023 will see their purse sizes balloon faster than a golfer's scorecard on a bad day. The biggest jump? The Sentry Tournament of Champions, going from a cool $8.2 million in 2022 to a whopping $15 million in 2023. Now that's what I call a pay raise!
LIV Golf: A Merger to Remember
While we're on the subject of changes, let's hop on a plane and fly over to LIV Golf, where things are getting as spicy as a jalapeño in your golf bag. They're in talks to merge with the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. Yes, you read that right. The three are planning to create a whole new entity, like Frankenstein's monster, but less scary and more… golf-y? The PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, is set to be the chief executive of this yet-to-be-named company, with Yasir al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, as chairman.
Now, this has sparked controversy that's hotter than my sunburn after a day on the links without sunscreen. Some are even calling for Monahan to resign his role at the PGA Tour. Yet, some players like Rory McIlroy, think this merger will be as "good for golf" as a perfectly executed bunker shot. All the details about these changes can be found here: PGA Tour, LIV Golf & DP World Tour merger: Sport's leading figures called to testify at Senate hearing
What's Next for Golf?
So, what does all this mean for golf, the PGA, and LIV? Well, it's a bit like trying to read a putt on a super fast green – it could go any which way. But
one thing's for sure, the sport is evolving, and the changes could potentially bring more excitement, bigger prizes, and a truly global golfing schedule. So, buckle up, golf fans. We're in for a ride that's more thrilling than a sudden death playoff!
Wrapping Up
As always, keep your swing smooth, your putts straight, and your golf news fresh. Stay tuned for more updates on this rollercoaster ride we call golf. And remember, no matter how many changes come our way, the heart of golf remains the same: it's just you, the ball, and that pesky little hole in the ground.
Until next time, golfers. May your drives be long and your putts short!
