Fans and experts in the field of golf often speculate whether the current model of the PGA Tour is really good, and whether it can lead to positive results in the long run. Paul McGinley, a well-known face of the golf scene, commented on the moves of PGA officials and the current system, believing that golfers should not choose the tournaments they play in.
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The direction in which sports are going today does not guarantee that the PGA Tour will achieve good results, so the Golf Channel analyst gives an interesting view of the situation.
I think as we've moved into the modern day, with billion-dollar TV contracts, media rights and multi-billion-dollar businesses that sport has become, particularly golf.
I think we need to evolve away from being a members organization and that includes moving away from independent traders for players picking and choosing the tournaments they want to play in. For the good of the game.- he said, as quoted by Golf Monthly.
With the arrival of LIV Golf, the PGA Tour tried to strike back, with the desire to strengthen its status on the golf scene. PGA officials decided to present signature events, which caused different reactions. In the 2023 season, golfers could miss one of the elevated tournaments. The consequences of missing them were the loss of Player Impact Program money, at least partially.
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Rory McIlroy felt it best on his skin.
Although from the 2024 season PGA officials have decided to soften those rules, McGinley stresses that PGA officials must have more control over everything.
"If it's going to be really run as a business and compete against the NBA, NFL, soccer etc, the administration needs to be more in control of the product, he said.
It's very difficult to be in control of the product when you don't know who is playing and you're hoping the players are going to turn up.
Paul McGinley shares his views
McGinley believes that players on the PGA Tour have too much control when it comes to making big decisions, which hinders the progress of the sport. The Irishman stresses that LIV Golf handled it better, because their players are under contracts and are obliged to play in all tournaments. Also, he does not believe that players should be paid less, but in a different way.
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When they are under contracts, the organization knows exactly what it is selling to sponsors and can guarantee them which players will perform in certain years, which enables business and negotiations.
