Since last year, the PGA Tour has been focused on providing an exciting experience for fans. The tour also announced new norms set to be implemented in 2026, aimed at increasing both viewer engagement and improving the experience for participants. Ironically, the 2025 season is not shaping up as desired for Jay Monahan and his team, with a significant decline in viewership from event to event.

At the Sentry, viewers described the event as “a waste of money,” despite tournament winner Hideki Matsuyama achieving the lowest 54-hole score (-27). Now, to make matters worse, the Tour is facing another crisis—the unexpected withdrawals.

Before the second round of the $8.7M event, Brian Campbell, who carded a decent score of 67 in round 1 withdrew Shockingly, the 27-year-old Tom Widing was also on the list. He was four strokes over par after a 74-round on Thursday. Widing secured his membership on the USA tour this season through a successful 2024 on the Korn Ferry sub-tour.  The reason for withdrawal? A ‘mystery illness.’

A similar thing happened at the Zozo Championship or the Sanderson Farms Championship as well last year when a series of golfers withdrew because of being sick.

These recent withdrawals will undoubtedly decrease fans’ interest in the 2025 Sony Open even more! Shockingly, they aren’t the only ones. Even before the tournament began, Michael Thorbjornsen withdrew without providing a reason, allowing Lanto Griffin to step in. Before that, Davis Riley withdrew on Sunday, and as a replacement, Trevor Cone joined the field. The list does not stop here.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout too stepped out providing Danny Walker the field position. And if you thought it couldn’t get worse, Jake Knapp also WD because of a back injury. He appeared in The Sentry last week and finished at T56. However, after the consecutive withdrawals, the event had to go ahead with 143 players only. But do you really think this is the only tension maker for the PGA Tour?

High-profile absences are also adding to the PGA Tour’s woes

The world no. 1, Scottie Scheffler—who captivated fans with his skills and charm last season—announced that he would not be playing the first few events of the opening events due to a “puncture wound to the palm of his right hand from a broken glass.” He is set to make his return at the Pebble Beach.

Rory McIlroy is not a fan of playing in Hawaii: “I’m not a huge Hawaii guy, so I’ll probably skip it.” He will start his PGA Tour season with AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AM, just like Scheffler. But he will start his DPWT season early, with Hero Dubai Desert Classic, where he’d return as the defending champion.

With so much turmoil surrounding the PGA Tour events this season, the big question is –  What steps will Jay Monahan take to elevate its viewership and excitement for the upcoming events? What do you think? Let us know below!