ORLANDO, Florida – The 2021-2011 PGA Tour season is in the books and by now you have heard about the schedule and prize money changes announced by Commissioner Jay Monahan. This was clearly a responsive move to the LIV Golf Invitational series signing stars from the PGA Tour such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
The multimillion increases in PGA Tour prize money however are an order of magnitude less than the signing bonuses LIV Golf used to attract the big names paying a guaranteed minimum for teeing it up in each of the 54-hole tournaments. This year there are 14 with more in the works for next year.
Fans of the PGA Tour may be the big winners however since the PGA Tour received commitments from their top 20 players (except for Cam Smith) for a minimum of 20 events with 17 stipulated as “must-play” next year.
Top level competitors playing against each other at first class venues more often than previously should be a terrific bonus for fans.
Keep in mind though a negative possibility is the fields of some other PGA Tourevents may suffer from the top 20 players concentrating on the 17 tournaments required in the new alignment.
The huge advantage the PGA Tour can exploit though is their dominating presence in the broadcast media. LIV Golf does not have a broadcast contract and relies solely on digital channels and consequently their exposure is minuscule in comparison.
The new PGA Tour scheduling, oddly enough, sounds like what Greg Normanoriginally said was his reason for the creation of the LIV Golf series, i.e., top stars playing more frequently against each other while adding the meaningless “feel good” phrase of “growing the game.” Some of those grabbing the tens of millions in upfront money from LIV Golf said they objected to the PGA Tour control of their image and media rights, but LIV Golf now owns their image and media rights making them functionally employees earning a salary plus performance bonus.
According to some of the defectors another reason for jumping ship was being able make more money for playing in fewer events. But, now after the schedule realignment and massive money being added to the various prize funds the difference between PGA Tour and LIV Golf has become less though LIV still only plays 54 holes in their series. Then of course there’s the further advantage that LIVplayers may, if they wish, wear shorts. The embarrassment of shunning the system which provided competition against the best in the world and made them millionaires is evident in some comments from LIV players. These include the justification of being employees of Saudi Arabian investors with the disingenuous, “We’re golfers not politicians.”
Presumably others will opt to sign with LIV Golf as more players rationalize taking the money without acknowledging their responsibility to their own legacy and the game. For instance, Dustin Johnson with 24 PGA Tour wins, and two majors was sure to be tapped for the World Golf Hall of Fame, but now? Will the WGHOF criteria for entrance change?
Keep in mind the PGA Tour is not a charity it is a sports entertainment business just like the National Football League or Major League Baseball though it does provide a platform for over $200 million in charitable donations annually. The basic idea is the PGA Tour must provide a show people are interested in seeing.
It is supported by corporations who provide money for prizes, advertising, and other expenses believing that by associating their company with professional golf they will reach a portion of the overall population having higher than average disposable income. Obviously, a demographic many companies feel is a very a desirable target for their products.
Just as with any investment the PGA Tour sponsors have a responsibility to their shareholders to receive an appropriate return so having the PGA Tour showcase the best players more often would seem to be a good plan for them.
