That’s fair, but no one is saying to dump stoke play. Just less events, which leads to better fields, that are played on different set up’s with different games/matches. Both can exist
***2022 PGA Tour Thread***
- Thread starter BigJCy
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That’s fair, but no one is saying to dump stoke play. Just less events, which leads to better fields, that are played on different set up’s with different games/matches. Both can exist
Doubles tennis players in shambles after reading this.
There's so many events especially at the beginning of the season that nobody cares about that maybe would be a tad more interesting if they weren't just 72 hole stroke play events. How many non-stroke play tournaments are there out of the 50 or whatever total? Maybe 3 or 4? There's room for change while still having more than enough 4 round stroke play events.
We will see. I just think these different setups will lose their luster quickly. I'm sure it will have an OK reception, but at the end of the day golf is golf no matter how you try to spin it and people will want stroke play at the end of the day.
I get what you’re saying, but keep in mind that stoke play is a recent thing. The history of the game is rooted in match play.
Variety is good. It’s partly why The Match has been successful
I do think the PGA's emphasis on putting money into the PIP Fund shows how out of touch they are to actual change.
Hard disagree on the field comment. The RBC has 10 of the top 50 players in the field. LIV has 6.
With that said there are definitely some simple changes the PGA Tour could make that would be beneficial. I see their number of tournaments the way I see bowl games. There are just too many meaningless PGA events/bowl games. Get rid of some of the fat and have stronger fields. If there are less events you could also offer bigger purses.
So just go a week here and there with absolutely no event? These second tier events are worth watching, but more importantly, often give the initial boost to the careers of the up and coming younger golfers.
I think saying the field is arguably stronger is fair. The RBC has 10 of the top 50 players in a 156 player field. LIV has 6 of the top 50 players in a 48 player field. 6.4% of the RBC players are in the top 50, 12% of the LIV is in the top 50. It's certainly arguable.
LIV would have 6 of the top 50 regardless of the size of the field. They have 48 player fields because they don't have enough players for more.
What's wrong with having a week in between events here and there? The up and coming players have the Korn Ferry Tour to earn their way onto the main stage. The second tier events are worth watching to golf enthusiasts but not to the general public.
It will be interesting to see what happens for sure. Right now I'd say Dustin is really the only big loss. Bryson has been broken for a while now. Reed is one of the least popular players on tour. Most of the other names of note are 40+ and aren't particularly competitive.
If LIV is really offering guys like Dustin $125 million I can't blame guys for leaving. That's insane money. It still feels gross to me because it's blood money but I understand why they would do it.
You think that CBS and the Golf Channel are just slapping those up for poor ratings? Apparently they get enough to keep doing it.
I agree. I'd like to see them cut events and add to the KFT schedule. They are ruining some of the long running events and just have a really watered down product. That, and it's the same thing every week outside of maybe ten weeks.
I'd like to see them do something with a PGA/LPGA event in some fashion. I'd like to see the Fed Ex Cup go to match play for the final. Can you imagine watching Rory vs someone like Kevin Kisner or Bryan Harmon play for 15 million bucks head to head? I'd like to see more course variation although it's impossible because as soon as you go somewhere that isn't the most predictable place in the world, like Trinity Forrest, the Tour either neuters the place or everyone ******* until they move it to another cookie cutter PGA Tour course like Craig Ranch. I find myself taking in Euro Tour stuff more and more these days because at least there's some variety, not to mention the broadcasts are much better.
Bryson brings bigger ratings than Dustin because he’s polarizing; he’s a major loss for PGA sponsors.
There’s more to it than just competitive concerns. The PGA cultivates good relationships with cities, charities, fans, etc by having, for example, the Zurich Open.
For things like the early season “swings” West Coast, FL, Texas it also gives a chance for the majority of guys to go “home”. Hawaii is a nice vacation.
I saw someone on Twitter make this case about Bryson, Reed, Sergio, etc. You think these guys aren't a loss because they aren't popular, but part of what makes things compelling is having someone to root against. But/for gambling interests, you wind up with events having Scheffler, Burns, JT, Homa, etc., it's hard to have much investment because they're all kind of the same guy.
The Zurich added two man teams with alternate shot and best score and no one cared that much. I doubt adding those formats will change the viewership and popularization of golf.
