Ryder Cup player payout, PGA Tour big change, Tour-PIF news: Tour Secret

Check in every week for the unfiltered views of our writers and editors as they analyze the hottest topics in sports, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @igalofu_com. This week, we discuss potential Ryder Cup player money, the PGA Tour’s biggest proposed change, the latest PGA Tour-PIF development and more.

Pending approval by the PGA Tour Policy Board, major changes are coming to the Tour in terms of membership, field sizes, pace of play, Monday qualifiers and more. You can read about proposed changes here (and others burning questions here), but what do you consider the most important development, and do you support it?

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): The big news should be that the number of full-time players will drop from 125 to 100. In short, it will make it very special to secure a PGA Tour card and strengthen that core group of members, but at the same time. period it’s not like guys outside that line won’t start anywhere. Far from it. I don’t care about cutthroat nature.

Josh Sens, senior author, (@joshsens): That reduced number of full-time employees is definitely a priority. But the reduction in Monday’s qualifiers also caught my eye. At first glance, it seems like a sad change, because who doesn’t like Cinderella’s story of an unknown entering the competition at the last minute and going on to win? That said, the record shows that stories like this almost never happen, that most players who qualify on Monday end up missing the cut or not making the cut. Bottom line: reality trumps romance. In the end, it seems like a logical change.

Alan Bastable, senior editor (@alan_bastable): Of course, the determination of the number of the full state is undoubtedly a change of subject; that kind of relegation would be a big deal for a lot of players who have to scratch and fight for a living season after season. In terms of logical change, decreasing field sizes makes a lot of sense. Sure, we’ll lose a few Cinderella winners, but getting the rounds completed before it gets dark should be a priority. It’s sad that almost three out of ten rounds this season have been spilled the next day – that’s not good for the players or the fans. Mostly, though, I found myself unmoved by these tweaks, none of which would make the Tour “brand” any more appealing. Tourism and players should focus on how to improve the TV viewing experience, starting with sinking some of this increased tourism investment into fewer commercial distractions.

According to a report from Golfweekplayers and captains of the 2024 Presidents Cup are allowed to do what they like with their $250,000 in tournament earnings (in previous years, players were allowed to use those earnings to donate to charities of their choice). Golfweek it has been reported that next year’s Ryder Cup will be the same format as the President’s Cup. The news comes on the heels of the recent uproar over the massive increase in Ryder Cup ticket prices. Given all this information, is it really time to pay the players?

Behow: I have to look back on my previous position here, but I’m pretty sure I was against paying players and thought it wasn’t too much to ask millionaires to represent their country once every few years. But something about the rising Ryder Cup ticket prices at a venue (Bethpage) that has long been praised and prides itself on its affordability and affordability pissed me off. Pay players.

Senses: In my ideal world, the PGA of America would use the proceeds to cover the costs of running the event and give all other profits to charity. And rosters will be limited to (already very rich) players willing to play for pride and country. But I know that’s not how capitalism works.

Bastable: Players who play for nothing may be making sense of the early days of the Ryder Cup when teams crossed the Atlantic not by plane but by boat, but times are changin’. The event is now the second largest spectacle after the Masters, and the maturity of funds – up to tens of millions of dollars – in its organizing bodies. If getting paid (even on a regular basis) is important to players, maybe it’s time to cut them a check. Look at the Olympics, where no fewer than seven countries pay gold medalists six-figure bonuses. Here’s an idea: Ryder Cup teams can pay their players for performance. Say, $50,000 per point won. Let them find it.

Amid golf’s ongoing rift, there was another reported meeting last week between PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF chief Yasir Al-Rumayyan. How important are these issues to liquidated interest? A little? Or more?

Behow: This is boring me. They have jets and can meet whenever they want.

Senses: The word is that they were just selling casserole recipes. I read that on social media, so it must be true. Come to think of it, maybe they should try sharing a potluck meal. None of the other meetings seem to lead anywhere

Bastable: That’s right. I think we’re all past or well past the point where the only official announcement about the PGA Tour and the PIF’s path forward together is going to pay attention. Fans are frustrated, angry, depressed. Even if a deal is hammered out and presented, it will take a long time to bring back those fans who have left over the past few years. However, I am always optimistic. There are too many smart people in the room – and the stakes are too high – to blur this out.

The 10th installment of TNT’s The Match won’t feature any professional golfers, but rather a collection of eight actors, comedians and athletes. Game: Superstars will feature Bill Murray, Mark Wahlberg, Charles Barkley, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Phelps, Nate Bargatze, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Blake Griffin. The event will be held on Nov. 21-22 at Breakers West Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. What do you think of the new format/lineup?

Behow: I’m going to go out on a limb here and say I have little interest in this (at least more than the other lineups). My gripe with The Match has always been that it’s hard for most of these golfers to flip that switch and have fun. in the middle golf shots, essential for good television. But having some comedians (Murray, Bargatze) and actors (Sir Charles) and the inevitable squirrely shots from up-and-comers means there could be some fun surprises this time around.

Senses: Bill Murray is great. Charles Barkley can be funny. But the whole thing feels terribly contrived to me. Now, if you get them all together and let Nikki Glaser roast them on Comedy Central, I’d watch that.

Bastable: I’ve always felt A-list pros bring a sense of gravitas to Match. Not to mention the pressure. Remember when Tom Brady looked like a 25-year-old handicapper in the 2020 draft with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods? It was great theater! He gets the sense that he wouldn’t struggle as much with Blake Griffin and Nate Bargatze in his place.. This next Match just feels like a watered down version of the American Century.

Happy Halloween (a few days late)! What’s your favorite golf Halloween costume you’ve come across over the years?

Behow: I’ve always been a fan of a nice Masters caddy uniform, but one of my social feeds recently showed a group of about a dozen guys – player, caddy and fans in the gallery – passing by in close quarters hitting shots like they were shooting. playing Augusta. Love to surrender.

Senses: I actually played an after-work round of twilight on Halloween this year. I put a lot of work into the costume and appeared dressed as a golfer, but it was useless. No one wakes up.

Bastable: I’m still waiting for someone to figure out how to wear the scariest thing in golf: the green.