Former PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh takes brutal JIBE at LIV Golf, calls it a ‘failed experiment’

Outgoing CEO of PGA of America Seth Waugh blasted LIV Golf and claimed that their product was not superior compared to the PGA Tour.

Former PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh takes brutal JIBE at LIV Golf, calls it a ‘failed experiment’

Seth Waugh (Image via AP News)

Ahead of the 2025 LIV Golf season, the Saudi-backed tour has once again come under the spotlight. As they get ready to usher into a new leadership era, departing PGA of America CEO Seth Waugh took a brutal jibe at them. He would label them as a ‘failed experiment’.

LIV Golf was established in 2021 and had it’s first season in 2022. Their establishment saw several big PGA Tour players join them on huge contracts, leaving the world of golf divided.

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Despite having some top names, LIV Golf has failed to attract viewers. Similarly, the PGA Tour has also struggled in viewership.

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Waugh, who served as the CEO of the PGA of America for six years, said that LIV is not a superior product. In an interview with Golfweek, he did add though that the two tours need a deal.

LIV is a failed economic experiment… It’s not sustainable. I don’t care how much money you have, burning it doesn’t feel very good… And I don’t see any way out for them. I don’t see light at the end of the tunnel where it’s gonna transform that league. So they need a deal. And then the Tour needs one as well.

Seth Waugh said as per Golfweek

LIV Golf governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan and PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan shook hands on a merger deal in June 2023. Since then, there have been several talks on how the PIF, the body that backs LIV Golf, and the PGA Tour will work out.

However, so far the deal is yet to be finalized. They are also facing some issues regarding approval from the United States’ Department of Justice.

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Seth Waugh reflects on PGA of America approving paid compensation for US Ryder Cup players

At the end of the last year, the PGA of America took a bold decision and approved the payment of US Ryder Cup players. In the interview with Golfweek, Outgoing CEO of PGA of America reflected on this ‘controversial’ decision.

Seth Waugh
Seth Waugh (Image via SB Nation)

In the long history of the Ryder Cup, players did not get paid directly. The US golfers would receive $200,000 in gifts which they could donate to any charity of their choice.

Now the US players will receive $500,000 from participating in this biennial event. $300,000 of this will be for charity, while the remaining $200,000 will be their stipend.

Reacting to this development, Waugh claimed that it was a “bad look” for them now.

Golf was supposed to be playing for a higher purpose. That’s what the Ryder Cup signifies, you know? And because we give 20 percent of our television rights to the PGA Tour already, we are paying the players… I don’t think it’s gonna change their lives because it’s not a big enough number to matter to them… I just think for the players to ask to be paid for it is kind of a bad look.

Seth Waugh said

This decision of the PGA of America sparked heated debates on social media. While many blasted them for allowing this, there were some who supported it. Even golf great Tiger Woods nodded in support of this decision and claimed that he felt “it’s great”.

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It is likely that this topic will become the center piece of attention once again when the event takes place later this year. After a heavy defeat in 2023, Team USA will likely be under more pressure to more now at the Bethpage Course in New York following this decision by the PGA of America.