The PGA Tour has announced a further “overhaul” of its 2024 season schedule following the threat of the LIV Golf Series, with similar no-cut and scaled-down events expected to be introduced.
THE PGA Tour is set to introduce a number of no-cut, limited-field events into its 2024 schedule as it continues to battle with LIVGolf at the top of the professional game.
The Tour will host eight designated events with rosters between 70 and 78 players, with the usual mid-round cup also scrapped. The US-based tour confirmed the changes had been approved by its policy board on Tuesday, with commissioner Jay Monahan informing players via a letter.
The move is the latest in the PGA Tour’s efforts to fend off the threat of LIV Golf, work in which the tour’s two greats, Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods, have played an important role.
Many were quick to criticize the new schedule, which bears great similarities to that of their LIV rivals. McIlroy, however, defended the overhaul, saying no-cut events existed on the PGA Tour long before the formation of the Saudi-backed series.
Speaking at this week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational, he said: “The only reason no-cut events are so big is because LIV happened, but there is precedent for no-cut events. It There have been uninterrupted events since I was a TOUR member and beyond too.
“Are there maybe going to be a few more?” Maybe. This has not yet been decided. But if we follow this path, there is precedent that argues in favor of seamless events. He keeps the stars there for four days. You ask Mastercard or whoever to pay $20 million for a golf event, they want to see the stars on the weekend.
“They want to be assured that the stars are there. So if that’s what’s supposed to happen, then that’s what’s happening.” Woods, an 82-time PGA Tour winner, hinted at a schedule change last month. Discussing the idea upon his return to the Genesis Invitational two weeks ago, Woods commented: “We’re kind of figuring this all out and it’s been a variety of different models.
“Different opinions, trying to figure out what the best product is, what the best competitive environment is and what we should do in the future.
“Yes, limited fields, what is the number. Cuts? Yes or no. What is the number, where are we going. How many players are playing in the event? OK, what is the possibility of entering the events designated?”
What do you think of the changes to the PGA Tour? Let us know in the comments section below.
Tour critics include LIV stars Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter. The former tweeted: “So… Remove WGCs. Load OWGR in your favor. Create 10 on-course events limited only to PGA Tour members (like WGCs). Add to that 4 majors, players, FedEx Cup . It’s a complete cut schedule for a top player. It grows the game.”
And Poulter was quick to join in, adding: “Oh my God, my God…. When will the penny drop with so much of what actually happened here. You really don’t have to be (a rocket scientist) to understand. very similar to another product that the media and commentators have talked about so much. I’m all ears now, I’m waiting.
