PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — While Jay Monahan acknowledged that the LIV golf leagues emergence had a profound impact on the PGA Tour, with future events featuring a smaller field of 70-80 players and no 36-hole cuts in the future, he insists that the rival circuits will not be the exact same.
Monahan spoke to reporters before the Players at TPC Sawgrass on Monday. Monahan stated that despite the dramatic changes in the PGA Tours model, it will still be vastly differ from the LIV Golf League. This league is made up of 12 four-man teams competing at 54-hole tournaments without cuts and shotgun starts.
I would ask: Does it really seem like we look the same? Monahan spoke to a reporter asking about the similarities among the circuits. You know, players that compete in our events in the new format next year will be eligible to compete in them. They will have earned it through top-50 positions in the FedEx Cup and their performance in fall and finally in these swings. This is what this organization has stood for.
The PGA Tour will host 16 events starting in 2024. The format and field sizes for these eight tournaments will not change.
The Genesis (which is the other designated event), and eight additional events will be added. Tiger Woodshosts), the Arnold Palmer Invitational (which is also hosted) and the Memorial. Jack NicklausThe hosts) will have limited fields of 70-80 players with no cuts. The Tournament of Champions Hawaii will be another event that has been designated. It will feature between 50 and 60 players with no cut. The four other events that have been designated have not yet been identified. The tour does not plan to rotate them from one season to the next.
Monahan said that the PGA Tour should have its best players playing in more events, and that they should have them playing in all four rounds. This is for sponsors, media partners, fans and media partners. Monahan stated that more than 95% were competing against one another at majors, while it was less than 40% at tour event events.
Monahan stated, The heartbeat of the changes announced are our efforts to present the best PGA Tour to fans and provide maximum benefits to every PGA Tour member across all tiers. Weve examined all competitive models, and it was evident, perhaps, that regardless of how we do things differently, we must have our top performers competing against one other more often. This is what fans want and what fans have been asking for.
The eligibility criteria for the eight events are players who have at least 50 FedEx Cup points in the previous year. Players not otherwise eligible will be those players who have at least five points in the current swing.
Monahan made the changes public in a memo to members last Wednesday. Monahan met Tuesday with TPC Sawgrass members. The world No. 1 golfer was not present. 1 golfer Jon Rahm Justin ThomasThey claimed they were not there.
McIlroy was heavily involved with the changes and said that the mood was better than he had expected. Although the majority of tours top players are supportive of the changes, some top 50 FedEx Cup players are concerned about not having enough access for the designated events. This year, the purses for the $20 million purses are worth $20 million.
McIlroy stated that I think when more data and information was presented to them they came around or were more informed on what their opinions were. It was beneficial for them to see that and see the reasoning behind what were trying to do here. After the information was presented, I found that the temperature in the room wasnt as high as I expected.
Players have been discussing the topic of not having cuts in eight designated events, which has limited field sizes. Monahan and McIlroy pointed out that Woods won 26 PGA Tour tournaments without cuts. Nicklaus won 17, while Palmer won 23.
Monahan stated, Those wins, the format didnt diminish those accomplishments as they sit here today. I believe the same will be true as we look ahead to 2024, 2025 and 2026. I think you will find the same answer when you ask about what brought you here. There was and is still a lot of debate and discussion on whether or no cuts should be made.
Monahan explained that the 2024 schedule, which will be published sometime in the summer, will keep the non-designated events relevant since players will have an opportunity play their way to the larger events. It is expected that there will be at least two or three events that are not designated, sandwiched between the designated ones.
McIlroy stated, I think theres enough danger built into the system. Obviously, there are going to be eight events that have no cuts. I think the cuts you need to make to be able to enter those events, making it into the playoffs, are worth it. [and]To be in the top 50, you must be a member of the following: [are]You must meet certain requirements to be eligible for those events. I believe its fair to offer eight events per year that guarantee four days for the players.
McIlroy disclosed for the first time Tuesday that he and Woods initially proposed a new model where the top 50-60 players on the PGA Tour would compete in 14 designated events each year. According to their models, around 80% of those players would still have been eligible to compete in the higher-priced events from season to season.
The star players reached an agreement with the top players to reduce the number elevated events from 14 down to 8. In the adopted model, retention in the top 50 will be approximately 60%
Monahan confirmed the WGC – Dell Technologies wont be on 2024s tournament schedule. Due to COVID-19 travel restrictions, the WGC HSBC Champions in China is the only remaining World Golf Championship event. Monahan said that it would be difficult foresee when tour will play there again.
Monahan stated that he would never say that anything has failed. But I think you can see where the PGA Tour is headed right now. Its with these designated events. Its because of the concentration of the top players on the PGA Tour competing at them, and I dont think that will change as we move forward.
LIV Golfs CEO and Commissioner was informed last week about the PGA Tours changes. Greg NormanTweeted that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.
McIlroy stated that there is no doubt about the threat from LIV Golf. LIV Golf has signed several major champions in the past. Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson, Brooks KoepkaAmong others, they sparked change on The PGA Tour.
McIlroy stated, Im going to not sit here and lie; the emergence or the emergence a competitor to PGA Tour has benefited every player of elite professional golf. I dont think theres much incentive to innovate when youve been the most successful golf league in the largest markets in the world for the past 60 years. This has prompted a lot innovation at the PGA Tour. The system that was quite, I would venture to say, outdated is being redesigned to try and reflect the 21st century media landscape.
Rahm said, Without LIV-Golf, this wouldn’t have happened. As I have said, this threat has made it possible for the PGA Tour to make changes.