via Reuters
Golf – The 150th Open Championship – Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Britain – July 12, 2022 Tiger Woods of the U.S. during a press conference REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
via Reuters
Golf – The 150th Open Championship – Old Course, St Andrews, Scotland, Britain – July 12, 2022 Tiger Woods of the U.S. during a press conference REUTERS/Andrew Boyers
The PGA Tour has been making big moves to undermine its nemesis, LIV Golf. They may hold the upper hand over the lucrative Tour when it comes to earning OWGR points for its players. Despite that, many golfers don’t mind making the jump to the Saudi-funded Tour. Nonetheless, the American Tour is reportedly altering yet another rule to tackle the defectors.
While only a week left before the commencement of LIV Golf’s second season, it has continued its persuasion of signing new players from the PGA Tour as well as other Tours. In its latest signing, the Saudi-funded Tour signed a European Tour player who was quite upset with the American Tour, which eventually led to the reported rule change from the next season onwards.
Newest PGA Tour rule change from next year onwards
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After signing some of the biggest names in the sport of golf, LIV Golf has shifted its focus to the rising talents of other Tours. Thomas Pieters, world number 34, who is a regular participant in the DP World Tour, was reportedly the latest signing of the lucrative Tour. Though Pieters is a European Tour player, he did make frequent visits to PGA Tour events.
Read More: 2023 Genesis Invitational: Prize Money Breakdown and Winner’s Payout
However, the Belgian golfer was snubbed by the Tour for the ongoing Genesis Invitational. He shared his dismay with the 92-year-old Tour by tweeting his frustration. “Sad to miss my favorite tournament of the year”, wrote Thomas Pieters, before claiming not even the 34th rank could get him in.
Hearing there’s likely going to be a top-50 OWGR clause for next year’s designated events so that every (non-suspended) top 50 player will have a spot in the field. Which would mean that a guy like Thomas Pieters, No. 34 in the world, would’ve be exempt into next year’s Genesis.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) February 18, 2023
Just hours after his rumored move to LIV Golf, notable golf journalist Daniel Rapaport tweeted about how PGA Tour is hoping to avoid any such occurrences in near future. According to the Barstool reporter, the designated American Tour events from next year onwards will have a top-50 OWGR clause, that states any unsuspended player ranked in the top 50 of the Official World Golf Ranking will have a guaranteed spot in the field.
As the headline caught the attention of the golf world, they didn’t shy away from sharing their thoughts. Let’s take a look at what fans had to say about the rumor.
Golf world reacts to PGA Tour’s latest rumored rule change
Too little, too late. #whiff
— J. Ryan Potts (@JRPMCC77) February 18, 2023
PGA being reactionary again? Shocker
— Charley Steidler (@SteidlerCharley) February 18, 2023
If The PGA TOUR was smart, they’d embrace the LIV, and lobby for them to get OWGR points on their events. Guys could hop back and forth, which they’d prob stay more with the tour than LIV, and thus kill LIV chance of having a field with big names in it.
— Chandler Brown 🇺🇸🌵 (@CBforAZ) February 18, 2023
Yet again, an example of the PGA Tour's reactive mindset, that leads to them responding with too little, too late. Not sure what the Strategic Alliance has actually done to assist the DPWT….
— John Conrad (@jerichsen66) February 19, 2023
Surely you are not conflating these 2 things when it comes to Pieters? Any rejection of Pieters by Riv/PGAT would be because he had already joined LIV… not the other way around. Keep monitoring Euro manipulators @NoLayingUp
— Chris (@GinoRubicko) February 18, 2023
And Pieters went to LIV so his whining is now irrelevant
— Twern (@Twern_) February 19, 2023
Why should the @PGATOUR have to include non members in their most lucrative events? If he’s unhappy I’m sure Tiger could hand him something to brighten his day
— Dan O (@VeNoM_DEO) February 18, 2023
Yes not eligible despite being a better player than 3/4 of the field according to the PGAs world rankings system.
— Wesley Southcott (@WesleySouthcott) February 19, 2023
Well thankfully for him and pga tour fans, he doesn’t have to worry about that again. He’ll do just fine on the exhibition circuit
— novacane08 (@novacane08) February 18, 2023
LIV once making things better for PGA Tour players…. More to come
— Reb Benton (@Richard90714670) February 18, 2023
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The new rule means that in case Thomas Pieters avoids going to LIV Golf, he will be guaranteed an invitation to participate in PGA Tour events next year, unlike the ongoing Genesis Invitational. While it may be too late for Pieters to reconsider his decision, it will result beneficial for many European Tour as well as other Tour players who were being snubbed by the PGA Tour despite being highly ranked.
What are your thoughts on PGA Tour’s rumored new rule change? Let us know in the comment section below.
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