KAPALUA (Hawaii) — Jay Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner, described a scene Sunday in which two rival leagues were on different paths. Even though the PGA Tour is still trying formulating plans for a new structure in 2024, Monahan said that there was still a lot of work to be done.
Monahan stated, Were now at a point where its product against product.
He spoke in a formal setting, the first time since Augusts Tour Championship. He described a 2023 calendar of high-level tournaments that offer an average of $20 million in prize money.
The Sentry Tournament of Champions was Kapalua where the PGA Tours year began. LIV Golf, a Saudi-funded league. Greg NormanLaunched in June, it finished its inaugural year by hosting eight tournaments.
LIV Golf is not scheduled to resume until February 23-26 at Mayakoba Golf Resort Mexico. The resort had hosted a PGA Tour tournament every year since 2007. Each LIV event has a prize fund of $25 million. $5 million is dedicated to a team competition.
Including bonuses, Dustin Johnson made just over $35.6 million in eight events.
Six more players were suspended by the PGA Tour after the Tour Championship — including the British Open champion Cameron SmithAnd Joaquin Niemann— To sign deals to play at LIV Golf. Smith would have been Kapalua’s defending champion.
Outside of the ropes is LIVs antitrust case against the PGA Tour. The tours countersuit against LIV is also involved. The trial of the original August lawsuit is not scheduled for January 2024. However, summary judgment can be filed by June 30th.
Monahan stated he can only watch what the PGA Tour is doing.
We have our agenda. Monahan stated that we have a schedule and will continue to improve and improve upon it. They have theirs. We will continue to be the most competitive and aspirational tour for mens professional golf.
He stated, What they have differs from what we possess. We are going down our path, but theyre going up theirs.
LIV Golf is renowned for its 54-hole events, which have no cuts and a shotgun starter. The event combines individual scores with 12 four man teams. The Official World Golf Ranking is yet to confirm whether the circuit will receive points.
The tour is currently reorganizing its schedule to avoid LIV Golfs challenge. Players hope that the schedule will last a decade or more. This year has been referred to by key players as a bridge to 2024.
The goal is to bring in the best players more often, and to give fans a better idea of who is playing and where. LIV Golf requires its players to participate in all 14 events whenever they are completed.
There is also a push for smaller fields. The Sentry Tournament of Champions is one of five events this season that has not been cut. The Match Play in Texas could be on its final leg.
Monahan stated that even though the 2024 elevated events have limited fields, he felt it important that there be a cut.
He stated, I have always believed that a cut is essential to the sport. Depending on where you end up in the field that is, thats absolutely something to think about.
Monahan said that he expects to announce the fall schedule at The Players Championship in March. It will offer players a chance to secure their 2024 status, and Monahan believes that even top players may want to compete.