Has the slow play issue suddenly been resolved? No! But did the fans completely ignore it at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am? Definitely! While the field was not as slow as it was for the 2025 Farmers Insurance Open, there were still a few instances throughout the four days that caught the spotlight. Collin Morikawa’s out-of-bounds drama on Saturday was certainly one of them. But the fans weren’t too critical about that.

The reason? Rory McIlroy! Watching the Irishman dominate the course made everyone forget the worst aspects of the PGA Tour. They were focused on watching McIlroy in amazement as he consistently delivered excellence in all four rounds. Perhaps that is what Jay Monahan & Co. were looking for. At least that is what an insider believes.

Rory McIlroy gets credit for improving the PGA Tour

Having players with the caliber of Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, and Jordan Spieth on the course changes the dynamic of the event. This was extremely evident during last weekend’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Who would complain if every 3rd or 4th stroke they watch is of Rory McIlroy’s laser-focused and accurate shots? The man mesmerized the entire community with his brilliant strokeplay and ensured no one remembered the issues they had with Jay Monahan and the PGA Tour.

Right from his first-round ace, McIlroy had caught the attention of every golf fan. It seemed like the PGA Tour’s issues of bad coverage, low TV ratings, and viewership had magically disappeared, given that the Tour’s viewership had been struggling for over a year. It averaged 2.2 million users in 2024, which registered a significant drop of 19% from 2.7 million in 2023.

Every fan was busy following every move that Rory McIlroy made on the course. This bolstered the PGA Tour event’s viewership immensely. He was like a medicine that treated the illness of slow play and unnecessary mid-round interviews. That is what Gary Williams of the 5 Clubs YouTube channel believes in a video they posted a few hours ago. He also compared McIlroy to a Z-Pack, one that gives temporary relief from stress and pain.

Speaking of the kind of impact McIlroy has on the community, Williams said, “Rory McIlroy was exactly what the PGA Tour needed.” He talked about the “slow play problems that were on display at the Farmers Insurance Open” a week ago on the show. He had advised that the PGA Tour should “substitute Scheffler and Rory for those players who were in contention late and tell me you wouldn’t feel differently.”

Williams clarified that “the pace of play wasn’t as excruciating as it was the week before.” However, what actually matters is that “the best players winning golf tournaments and being out in front of fields are the best thing.” The journalist mentioned, “It doesn’t solve the other issues. But it is the ultimate elixir for what ills the PGA Tour.”

Perhaps he is not wrong as Rory McIlroy does bring with himself a large fan following. Having him on the field will always be beneficial for the PGA Tour. But having players like McIlroy win a title is the best thing on the PGA Tour, especially when they are under the radar for so many issues.

McIlroy is not the only one who has such an impact on the fans. Let’s take a look at other players who can drive the TV ratings for Jay Monahan & Co.

Influential players who can drive the PGA Tour’s success

There is no question about Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler being two of the biggest names in golf. McIlroy almost has the same impact as Tiger Woods when he is playing. Speaking of the GOAT, Jay Monahan and his team would benefit from having Woods back on the course. His health might not permit him, but considering the influence he has on the community, the PGA Tour will need to accommodate him in some way to increase their viewership.

A few other golfers who have such an impact are Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, and Bryson DeChambeau. Spieth has been a crowd favorite ever since he made his debut. He may receive all the criticism in the world, but fans are glued to their televisions when he is on the course. The same goes for Rickie Fowler, who is another incredibly famous golfer. He may not be in the best form of his life, but if the PGA Tour still focuses on broadcasting his gameplay, then they probably would benefit from it immensely. Maybe, that would also give him enough confidence to perform better.

The last man on the list is someone who has recently gained a lot of fame, Bryson DeChambeau. The mad scientist makes the headlines with everything he does. He has also managed to give the YouTube Golf space a new lease of life. While he may still be playing for LIV Golf, promoting him during the majors or other events would benefit Jay Monahan & Co. Unfortunately, they did not realize the same when they were promoting The Showdown.

What is your take on the entire situation? Share your opinions in the comments section.