Former PGA Player Director BLASTS the Tour's new format " VERY,VERY HYPOCRITICAL"

[Chambokl]

I am stunned as to where all the "new" money has come from on the PGAT. Sponsors ponying up because they are guaranteed the best will show up to the enhanced events? At the same time weaker fields are created for the other events so shouldn't it work the other way too? They can't be happy about that. Or was the money always there? Personally I enjoyed the end of the Palmer event. Will I tune in for the weaker ones? Probably less so now. I have no interest in watching any LIV, team based or otherwise.

You got that right . . .

[bl8d]

the money was always there! The PGAT just wanted to keep the players on a short leash.

LIV, like it or not ,was THE needed eye opener that the PGAT was a purse snatcher.
Norman always said the PGAT was a group of tight fisted scrooges living high off the hog the players provided, not unlike the IOC fat cats club

[ginrin]

All that money was a huge part of the player's pension, which is one of the best in sports. There are a lot of pros out there and the ability to compete and make yourself a name is still part of the American dream. Don't kid yourself but only a few tour players actually fly commercial and they usually get comped everything these days.

[dmcdam]

I think the threat was that LIV would continue to poach the top players.

If PGAT lost Rory, Rhambo, Spieth, JT, Homa, Schauffele/Scheffler ( are they even two people?)... at some point it becomes the Korn Ferry and sponsors won't or can't support it. If all the good players ended up on LIV the sponsors would eventually follow them.

To date, the LIV roster is a combination of has-beens, journeymen and questionable oddballs like Reed and Perez. That came to an end with Cam Smith (mullet be damned, he's a very good player and seems a good lad too). That was when LIV became a legit threat.

LIV also represents a potential threat to the media rights, which make up almost half of the PGAT's revenue. Lucky for them they just signed a new contract that doesn't expire until 2029. Then again, who knows if there may be viewership metrics that impact the dollar figures within the current contract. You can guarantee LIV will come up as a point of discussion in any negotiations regarding the future renewals of media rights. If they're still around by then it will certainly have a negative impact on the next contract.

[emvee]

I am stunned as to where all the "new" money has come from on the PGAT. Sponsors ponying up because they are guaranteed the best will show up to the enhanced events? At the same time weaker fields are created for the other events so shouldn't it work the other way too? They can't be happy about that. .

I figure RBC might be the new template. You get one elevated event and one crap, I mean non-elevated, event. In RBC's case, it might work out well. Its crap event is the Canadian Open and having one of their sponsored players win is more likely against a field of guys named Joe.

I can't see many sponsors hanging around if your marquee player is someone like Lucas Glover or Kevin Streelman (not to pick on either of them).

[nomullies]

I figure RBC might be the new template. You get one elevated event and one crap, I mean non-elevated, event. In RBC's case, it might work out well. Its crap event is the Canadian Open and having one of their sponsored players win is more likely against a field of guys named Joe.

I can't see many sponsors hanging around if your marquee player is someone like Lucas Glover or Kevin Streelman (not to pick on either of them).

So sponsors will do two? I think RBC is the exception. You'd think they would somehow find a way to make a national open as old as the Cdn an elevated event. Nope. Funny, at least I know those two you mention.

[Ignatius Reilly]

There was a players' meeting this week and James Hahn skipped it.

Rory was not impressed.

[bk51]

the money was always there! The PGAT just wanted to keep the players on a short leash.

LIV, like it or not ,was THE needed eye opener that the PGAT was a purse snatcher.
Norman always said the PGAT was a group of tight fisted scrooges living high off the hog the players provided, not unlike the IOC fat cats club

Here's the prize money breakdown for the Players Championship...

https://www.golfchannel.com/news/pla...-figure-checks

Every name on this list should be sending Greg Norman a thank-you card.

[nomullies]

All that money was a huge part of the player's pension, which is one of the best in sports. There are a lot of pros out there and the ability to compete and make yourself a name is still part of the American dream. Don't kid yourself but only a few tour players actually fly commercial and they usually get comped everything these days.

Tom Hoge apparently. Not even first class. Regardless of how much money he wins that week.

[bl8d]

Tom Hoge apparently. Not even first class. Regardless of how much money he wins that week.

Maybe he clued in that your chances of surviving a plane crash increase near the back section.
First class seating is typically in the front.
https://www.google.com/search?client...id:W--dC5kuQ8Q

[nomullies]

Maybe he clued in that your chances of surviving a plane crash increase near the back section.
First class seating is typically in the front.
https://www.google.com/search?client...id:W--dC5kuQ8Q

Good thing we booked near the back on an upcoming trip. A few rows with only two seats means I can stretch my long legs without bugging someone. I hate flying.

[Johnrw]

To me the problem with big events is the ranking points. They are so high, it makes it very difficult to move into that tier, and just as hard to move out.

[rulie]

Tom Hoge apparently. Not even first class. Regardless of how much money he wins that week.

An aside, does anyone recall when/where Tom Hoge won his first professional event? (I think I know the answer until someone finds otherwise)