By Mark Halpern
If you have been watching the 19th hole (our Golf podcast of the Network), Ross and I have been discussing the newly formed Saudi league and players that were jumping ship. Brooks Koopeka has been a PGA star over the last few years, but yesterday decided to leave the PGA to play in the newly formed LIV league. There will be more before this week’s PGA tournament begins this Thursday.
One of the reasons many players are joining this new venture is for them to get a fresh start and try to cement themselves in the Golf world. The other reason players decided to jump ship is that the PURSE (Money to be won) was to be over 20 million dollars per event. The PGA, at the most, is 17.5 million per event, up from 15 million last year. Someone once said, “Cash is King” (Donald Trump). With average purse winnings possible of 5-10 million more than PGA events, indeed, they will join.
The PGA has been taking much flak for forcing players to choose one league. The PGA has rarely come under scrutiny for anything, and what’s happening now is not boding well with fans and Players. So yesterday, the PGA announced that it is adding 8, yes 8, tournaments of 20 million to the schedule. These will be limited field and no cut event (means you keep playing unless you withdraw.) The events will be split between spring/summer and fall and feature the top 50 golfers on the PGA by Fedex points. There will be alternate tournaments for players who are outside of the top 50, so they can earn a better spot next season. Now the PGA is stepping up and trying to keep the focus on them other than the LIV league.
In a fair and just world, there would be one united league where players worldwide can compete on an even scale. However, we live in a competitive world, and whoever can flash the most significant bill fold wins. In the words of Rodney King, “Can’t we all just get along.”
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