A lot of folks summed up Jay Monahan’s presser. David Dusek’s interpretation of the answers hits on the key points.
The full transcript is posted at ASAPSports.com.
There were obvious omissions in today’s slapped together reaction to LIV Golf:
After all this time of disruption, this is the most creative you’ve got? More money to events already in good shape, smaller fields and no cuts (except The Players)? All those fancy pizzamakers, perks and fancy offices producing a WGC concept light on the world or originality?
What is going on with the updated DP World Tour alliance details that were close to being unveiled?
It’s easy to sympathize with Jay Monahan’s dilemma. He’s trying to retain the current PGA Tour structure while funneling more money back to players who would rather get appearance fees. But he’s largely putting forward solutions that veer closer to LIV Golf’s exhibition-vibe format and still building everything around an August playoff that gets mediocre ratings.
At the same time, the Global Home’s refusal to take outside forces seriously—until it was too late—is a key driver of this mess. No one could have imagined the Saudis sending silly money to never-weres and has-beens, but you still have to plan for worst case scenarios. No?
Anyway, on to Monahan’s opening statement.
As I said to our members yesterday in a player meeting, we will ultimately come out of the current challenge stronger because of our loyalty and support of our players and fans, the best in the world, as well as our planned future growth and with our values as our North Star.
And as I also said to the players yesterday, let me be clear. I am not naive. If this is an arms race and if the only weapons here are dollar bills, the PGA TOUR can't compete. The PGA TOUR, an American institution, can't compete with a foreign monarchy that is spending billions of dollars in attempt to buy the game of golf.
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We welcome good, healthy competition.
No you don’t.
The LIV Saudi Golf League is not that. It's an irrational threat; one not concerned with the return on investment or true growth of the game.
Currently no one organization owns or dominates the game of golf. Instead, the various entities, be it Augusta National or the USGA or the LPGA or the PGA TOUR or the PGA of America work together to meet our own respective priorities, but with the best interests of the game overall at heart.
I knew it was Barzini. Maybe “DP World Tour” was in the speech and the shine off Jay’s Daytona blinded him when he got to the part where the strategic alliance partners get a mention.
But when someone attempts to buy the sport, dismantle the institutions that are intrinsically invested in its growth, and focus only on a personal priority, that partnership evaporates, and instead we end up with one person, one entity, using endless amounts of money to direct employees, not members or partners, toward their personal goal, which may or may not change tomorrow or the next day.
Finally, we might get the Crown Prince named by a golf organization. Progress!
I doubt that's the vision any of us have for the game. Now, I know legacy and purpose sound like talking points that don't mean much, but when I talk of those concepts, it isn't about some sort of intangible moral high ground. It is our track record as an organization and as a sport.
On the PGA TOUR, our members compete for the opportunity to add their names to history books, and, yes, significant financial benefits, without having to wrestle with any sort of moral ambiguity. And pure competition creates relevancy and context, which is what fans need and expect in order to invest their time in a sport and in a player. That's the beauty of the PGA TOUR. We have and always will provide a global platform for members to compete against the very best, earn their stardom, and become household names.
Yeah but the kids today…oh sorry, shame on me criticizing the coveted demo. Go on…
You just heard from Exhibit A, Scottie Scheffler's meteoric rise over the last four years: Korn Ferry TOUR Player of the Year in 2019, PGA TOUR Rookie of the Year in 2020, Ryder Cup Rookie in 2021, World No. 1, FedExCup leader, having won four times in six weeks, including the Masters tournament. His journey is that of a true meritocracy. If you're good enough, you will rise to the top; and if you don't continue to earn that top spot, someone else as hungry and as talented is right there to take your place. Again, that's the unique beauty of what the TOUR has and always will offer to fans. It's damn good and it's worth fighting for.
Back to the kids today part. You know, the greatest generation of athletes to ever descend on golf course? They really believed the hype.
Now finally and most importantly, I want to talk where the PGA TOUR is headed. We don't expect to overcome this current challenge by relying on our legacy and track record alone. 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.
Money, money, money!
Those plans are obviously accelerated in light of the current environment and we have some exciting developments coming out of yesterday's policy board meeting that will further secure our status as the preeminent golf TOUR in the world.
This includes moving forward with our future product model for the 2022-23 season and beyond, a return to a calendar year schedule beginning in 2024, with the FedExCup contested from January to August, culminating with the FedExCup playoffs, and followed by the fall events, which will determine the top 125 and finalize eligibility for the next FedExCup season.
Gee, who could have seen the need to do that? No details goes missed at the GH.
Revised field sizes for the FedExCup playoffs in 2023 and beyond of 70 players for the FedEx St. Jude Championship, 50 players at the BMW Championship, and 30 players at the TOUR Championship.
The 70 players who qualify for the first playoffs event will be fully exempt for the following season, including the invitationals.
Oh so like, a playoff that’s actually a playoff. Kinky!
The creation of a series of up to three international events to be played after the conclusion of the fall schedule, which will include the top 50 players from the final FedExCup points list.
Those were going to be out alliance partners but, well, maybe not now?
Alongside these changes, the policy board also amended the resource allocation plan to increase purse sizes at eight events during the 2022-23 season, with an average purse at 20 million dollars.
Where have I seen that number?
Again, there is more work to be done and details to confirm, but implementing substantial changes to our schedule gives us the best opportunity to not only drive earnings to our players, but also improve our product and create a platform for continued growth in the future.
I know that's a lot to digest.
Actually not enough.