The PGA Tour are set to fend off any temptation players may have from their new Saudi-backed rivals LIV Golf, with the formation of an eight-event mega-money series of their own for the 2023 season, according to reports. The controversial LIV Golf Series has sent shockwaves across the world of golf over the past year.
The breakaway circuit - backed by the Saudi Arabian Investment Fund - has formed an eight-tournament tour which offers players the chance to compete for an eye-watering £20 million prize fund at each event. As well as this, the series led by ex-world No. 1 Greg Norman has looked to entice some of the world’s best golfers in and with lucrative signing on fees in excess of £100 million.
This has resulted in the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeCahmbeau and the soon to be announced Brooks Koepka turning their back on the PGA Tour in search of the LIV Golf millions.
Not to be deterred though, the PGA Tour have hit back at their newly formed rivals with a lucrative change to their own schedule. According to Golf Digest , it has been reported that commissioner Jay Monahan has informed players in a mandatory meeting that the circuit will introduce a no cut eight-event series throughout the 2023 campaign.
Each of the eight tournaments will reportedly have a purse of £16 million, with the top 50 players from the FedEx Cup standings from the previous campaign taking part. Those outside the top 50 will also see a change in schedule, with a set of events put together to allow them to compete for their tour card and improved status for the following season.
The switch up would see the first PGA Tour scheduling change for the first time since the 2013-14 campaign, when the implementation of a wrap-around season was introduced. This however is set to change, with the American-based circuit returning to a calendar year schedule.
This is not Monahan’s first move against the Saudi League, after previously confirming that all those competing in the LIV Series will receive suspensions from the PGA Tour. The commissioner informed players of the punishment following the inaugural day of the rebel circuit earlier this month which took place at the Centurion Club, St Albans.
The American informed players of the suspension via a memo. Per Golfweek, the memo read: “We have followed the Tournament Regulations from start to finish in responding to those players who have decided to turn their backs on the PGA Tour by willfully violating a regulation. Simultaneous to you receiving this memo, the players are being notified that they are suspended or otherwise no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play, including the Presidents Cup.
"This also applies to all tours sanctioned by the PGA Tour: the Korn Ferry Tour, PGA Tour Champions, PGA Tour Canada and PGA Tour Latinoamérica.” After its opening event in St Albans, the LIV Golf schedule will return next week, as it ventures onto American shores for the first time when heading to Portland.
