After LIV Golf’s Threat, Tiger Woods Influencing a ‘Penalty’ Decision Invites Staggering Reactions From Top PGA Tour Pros

Golf has evolved over time. The PGA Tour has seen many greats who have changed the face of the game with their skills and earned their place to host events their way. Arnold Palmer was one of the first golfers to have a namesake Invitational event. Jack Nicklaus followed suit with the Memorial Tournament. Recently, Tiger Woods joined the two GOATs of golf to host a particularly entertaining event, the Genesis Invitational.

Despite the new rules that are coming into play in the next season, thanks to players fawning over LIV Golf’s ‘no cut’ rule, there is an internal controversy. The PGA Tour has deemed these three events among the 8 elevated events for next year, and the greats have opted for a cut system for the tournaments they host. So, even though the PGA Tour is sticking to the new conventions set by LIV Golf, Woods, Nicklaus, and Palmer are hosting things their way.

What the PGA Tour players think of Tiger Woods and the other golf legends’ events and their unique rules

After a harrowing couple of months since announcing a framework agreement with the competition circuit backed by the Saudi PIF, the PGA Tour is working out a new system, or rather, reviving an old system with a few changes. The 2023–24 season will witness a decade-long forgotten tradition of calendar events, and the latest development is to not have a cut system.

However, the three golf legends events will have a cut. Woods himself spoke about the matter recently and said, “I certainly am pushing for my event to have a cut… I still think that there needs to be a penalty for not playing well.” And while Nicklaus agrees with him, considering his event too will feature a cut, let’s see what other PGA Tour players, including his close friend JT, have to say about it.

Justin Thomas

JT had a terrible time in the 2022–23 season on the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. However, the former world no. 1 recognizes that the cut system so insistently implemented in the elevated events is not a bad thing.

He spoke about how he would have wanted to do things his way if he was hosting an event. “When those guys have done all they have and they’re the one that’s put in the time. Tiger, I’ve seen firsthand how much he does that week. If he wants to have a cut in his event, I think that’s more than OK to allow that I would say,” he stated as per GolfWeek’s recent report.

Adam Scott

Scott consistently made the cut in the current season, and even if he did not achieve titles, he had a good run. His view of the cut system is rather open-minded. He said he understands why the hosts would want to maintain the old way of doing things; it is about consistency. He admitted that he would have done things differently, but also that he was not too worried.

Billy Horschel

Horschel missed several cuts in the 2022-23 season. Despite that, he had an understanding of what the older players had in mind. He said that it makes sense not to have a cut, as many fans can witness their favorite golfers playing on the weekend when they are not bogged down by their personal educational or professional commitments.

However, he also admitted that the players in the past have worked really hard to make the Tour what it is. Therefore, they deserve a chance to do things their way, at least at the events they host. “We knew those three events wanted a cut, and I’m fine with it. I plan to be in those events, and I have no issues with it at all,” he said.

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The PGA Tour players seem to recognize the efforts put in by those who came before them. They also realize that the uniqueness of these events is warranted since the GOATs of Golf worked hard to be where they are.

What are your thoughts on implementing the cut rule? Would you want to host a golf event of your own with your personal choices? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below.

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