More Money: PGA Tour Announces Lucrative Changes to Combat LIV Golf Threat

The PGA Tour announced its schedule yesterday, bringing in a host of changes to its events. The biggest change, expectedly, is the total purse allotted to each tournament, with some events witnessing a prize jump of over 175%.

Eye-catching deals to catch LIV off-guard?

The LIV Golf series has been able to lure a number of high-profile players on their side. The key factor has always been money. While the Players Championship offers a $20 million purse, it is comfortably surpassed by the $25 million purse allocated to each LIV event. The disparity is visible at both ends of the table as well. The winner of a LIV event receives never-seen-before prize money worth $4 million, and players who finished rock bottom take home $120k. These are all figures setting aside the large payouts devised by the Saudi-backed event to tempt golfers to switch to their side.

For quite a while now, the PGA Tour has been promising fresh changes to its existing structure. The Sentry Tournament of Champions, contested amongst the previous year’s Tour winners, is the biggest gainer in terms of prize money. Played in Hawaii on the island of Maui, the total purse of the competition has increased, from $8.2 million to $15 million.

Similarly, the Genesis Invitational played in Pacific Palisades, California, has witnessed an increase from $12 million to $20 million. The World Golf Championship will see a similar prize structure.

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Two out of three FedEx Cup Playoff events, the St. Jude Championship, and the BMW Championship, are also set for a total purse of $20 million. The Players Championship, a premier event on the golf calendar, will have the biggest purse of all, with its already eye-watering $20 million increased to $25 million.

Other Changes to the PGA Tour

There were a few other notable changes in the Tour schedule. The Rocket Mortgage Classic is now moved from late July to late June. The Scottish Open, a popular tournament in the DP Tour, will be co-sanctioned, whereas the CJ Cup will now officially move from Korea to Congaree Golf Club in South Carolina.

The Battle between PGA & LIV

The PGA Tour has been facing stiff competition from the LIV Golf series, helmed by CEO Greg Norman. Major Championship winners such as Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and Dustin Johnson, among others, have left to represent LIV golf.

Contrary to statements that only older players have switched to LIV, even younger players, such as Bryson DeChambeau and James Piot, have pledged their support to the rebel series. Many high-profile players have also resigned from their Tour membership.

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