The war of words between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continues this week in the media as more players switch allegiances and others defend the status quo. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan poured some fuel on the fire this week, referring to the Saudi-backed golf tour as an ‘irrational threat’ trying to buy the game.
“We welcome good healthy competition,’’ Monahan told reporters as the tour prepares for the Travelers Championship, “but the LIV Saudi golf league is not that. It’s an irrational threat that’s not concerned with a return on investment or true growth of the game.”
Monahan admitted that the PGA Tour doesn’t have the financial ability to compete with LIV Golf if it’s just about money.
“If this is an arms race, and if the only weapons here are dollar bills, the PGA Tour can’t compete,” he added. ‘The PGA Tour, an American institution, can’t compete with a foreign monarchy that is spending billions of dollars in an attempt to buy the game of golf.”
In response to LIV Golf’s structure and massive contracts, the PGA Tour has upended the way it pays golfers as well. The tour will be increasing some tournament purses by millions, creating a three-event international series, and a new FedExCup playoff structure, all of which will provide more financial incentives for current tour golfers.
“We don’t expect to overcome this current challenge by relying on our legacy and track record alone,’’ Monahan said. “We’ve been on a path for a number of years to strengthen and evolve our product for the benefit of our fans and players alike. Those plans are obviously accelerated in light of the current environment and we have some exciting developments coming out of [Tuesday’s] policy board meeting that will further secure our status as the preeminent golf tour in the world.’’
With so many of the sport’s big names, such as Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, and Phil Mickelson defecting, the PGA Tour has to dig in and figure out how to make sure the sport’s future stars consider playing for them over LIV Golf. But that could be easier said than done if dollar signs are all that they see.
