Authentic copycats? How the PGA Tour’s 2024 regulation changes are a reflection of LIV Golf’s precedent
The PGA Tour's 2024 regulation changes have raised a lot of eyebrows, with many calling them the copycats of the LIV Series.
Follow Us
LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour
The LIV Golf Series and the PGA Tour have been going head to head ever since the latter’s inception. The Saudi-backed series has not been dealt with kindly. From harsh words to courtroom drama, it is facing an uphill battle day by day. Golfers who defect to the Series are shunned by the Tour.
The LIV Golf series, however, brings a fresh new format to the golf scene. The number of players is less, who follow a shotgun tee-off. There are also no-cut tournaments, which means that all players get to play all rounds. This, along with their exceptionally new team format brings a fresh new angle to a rather traditional game of golf.
The LIV Golf series recently went as far as to allow players to wear shorts while on course. This action which was severely appreciated by all, regardless of their tour preference. However, the backlash against the Series and its format has been massive. It has been cut off from the OWGR points too. All it seems to be doing at the moment is pouring in money.
Why does the PGA Tour rival the LIV series?
Now however, while the LIV Golf series might be suffering, the PGA Tour has come up with its own changes to their tournaments starting 2024. Simply put, these changes have raised eyebrows all over the world. The drastic change in format will include a smaller field for many of the events- as less at 70 to 80. The prize purse for many events has also increased.
The Tour has done away with the midway cuts, and will now have smaller 36-hole courses. While the Majors, the Players Championship and the FedEx Cup will remain untouched, the rest of the events will be severely impacted. With these changes, one might even say that the PGA Tour has done this in response to the LIV Series.
Does the PGA Tour feel threatened by the LIV Golf series? Maybe. The new force that the LIV Series came in with has certainly affected the PGA Tour, whether they would like to admit it or not. The changes that the PGA Tour has made to its 2024 season come as a clear reminder that maybe the game of golf needs a bit of a change.
How does the PGA Tour’s changes affect the future of golf?
The revamp is a very necessary one, especially as a younger tour tries to overpower what is known to be a legacy and tradition. It might be hard for the PGA Tour to admit that the changes are being made solely on the basis of self-improvement. Rather, they seem to make on the grounds of retaliation and maybe even fear.
The Tour, for now, seems to be stuck in limbo. Holding on to traditions might be important to carry on a legacy. But as the world progresses and times change, could it be time for the PGA Tour to let go, and admit that they tried something new because of the existence of another series?
The PGA Tour has remained very adamant about nullifying the LIV Series. However what it fails to acknowledge is that instead of fighting the series, it should try and incorporate it within its years of foundation-building. This will not only be a stepping stone for the PGA Tour or the LIV Series but also a stepping stone for the game of golf.
In case you missed it:
PGA Tour overhauls player impact program, Tiger Woods set to miss out on millions
LIV Golf’s TV debut draws over 3 million viewers, defies critics
Stay Updated!
Saivee Phatak
(1164 Articles Published)