Was it overly harsh for the PGA Tour Council to mock Barstool’s Riggs? Unexpectedly, the PGA Tour Council has come under criticism after an internal meme that made fun of Barstool Sports’ Sam “Riggs” Bozoian was purportedly circulated at a recent council meeting. This surprise remark has caused a flurry of online reactions from fans of the PGA Tour and Barstool’s immensely famous Fore Play show.

An iconic presence in golf’s digital media landscape, Riggs is no stranger to controversy, but this time, the PGA Tour is the one creating headlines, not his opinions on the game. Through Fore Play, where he and his co-hosts combine comedy, player conversations, and original ideas that appeal to golf lovers, Riggs, who is popular for his caustic, unrestrained golf commentary, has amassed a significant following.

Now, fans are wondering if the PGA Tour’s action was impolite or just a bad effort at comedy. What do you think—a low blow or harmless fun? Let’s find out what the fans are saying!

PGA council ‘inside meme’ attacking Riggs Barstool

Barstool himself brought the matter to light on his social media account, drawing light to the council’s conduct by sharing an internal meme that negatively portrayed Riggs. He posted on X, saying, “The @PGATOUR just shared during our Council meeting an internal meme in which I was depicted in quite an unflattering light. Not nice but honestly, I respect it. Feels like progress.” The meme’s dissemination at a formal council meeting was unethical and showed a lack of communication between the PGA Tour’s management and the changing trends in golf media.

In light of the PGA Tour’s recent initiatives to interact with producers of digital content, this event is especially unexpected. The PGA Tour announced in December 2024 that it had established a Creator Council intending to work with leading golf content developers to create common approaches to fan interaction and content creation. Paige Spiranac and Barstool’s “Fore Play” squad were notable participants, demonstrating an understanding of the power digital media influencers have in influencing how the general public views the sport.

The choice to internally ridicule Barstool seems to go counter to these cooperative initiatives. It raises the possibility of an internal conflict inside the PGA Tour over how to combine traditional media strategies with the lively and sometimes irreverent look of platforms like Barstool Sports. Such behavior would jeopardize the Tour’s efforts to update its image and use digital platforms to reach a younger, wider audience. At the same moment, fans also shared their opinions on Barstool’s post. Let’s have a peek!

The PGA Tour council gets negative reactions from fans

Proponents of Riggs and Barstool Sports have been especially outspoken, seeing the event as an unjustified attack on someone instrumental in bringing golf to younger audiences. “The entire damn PGA plus their managers should be portrayed in an unfavorable light,” one Twitter user remarked, casting doubt on the interaction between contemporary digital media celebrities and conventional golf establishments. “The forced chirping is weird and bad for the game,” said another fan. The belief among fans that the PGA Tour’s conduct, particularly in this case, compromises the ethics and professionalism of the sport.

There was more backlash than this. “Someday it’ll be known as The Swing That Saved The Game,” a fellow golf enthusiast sarcastically assured the PGA tour’s management. The comment captures the influence of Barstool on contemporary golf. By blending history and technology and infusing the sport’s culture with new vitality, Riggs brought golf’s allure to youths with his amusing and honest material and grassroots initiatives. Another reviewer criticized the group, calling it a “clown show organization.” “Lol can’t make this shit up. Cringe af” another fan added in support. 

The criticism highlights a larger discussion about how sports media is changing and how established organizations must change as well. As the disagreement progresses, the golf community awaits the board’s response. In a time when information can spread swiftly and extensively, the consequences of private jokes becoming public can be significant and far-reaching. Organizations like the PGA Tour are under growing pressure to adapt their strategy to the latest trends as digital platforms continue to change the way people consume information. What do you think about this topic? Let us know in the comment section.