The PIF merger was signed almost 15 months ago. However, there has been no concrete update on the arrangement so far, given that it is almost a year after the deadline. This has left not only golf fans but many professional golfers frustrated. One such player is Rory McIlroy.

According to the Northern Irishman, the golf community comes before the players, and it is only because of their hype that the professionals get the limelight. “I’ve been saying this for a long time: I think golf and golf fans deserve to see us together more than just four times a year. That’s what we’ve tried to do,” said McIlroy. He also added that he thinks issues between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf can be resolved but will require compromise on both sides. 

Well, it looks like Billy Horschel too agrees with him. In the latest episode of Any Given Monday with host Ryan French, the PGA Tour Pro said, “The changes need to be done for the sponsors and the fans, and that route and the players need to be on board with those changes. And if that means traveling around the world, or that means doing some things differently than what historically we have done.” He added that the players do not come first, the sponsors and the fans do, and thus the professionals must be on board with whatever changes come along the way.

A while ago, the world got to know that a few PGA Tour pros are reluctant to travel outside of America to play golf, and this is proving to be a major hindrance in the merger. PIF stands for making golf a global sport and giving it visibility everywhere. PIF also aims to make Saudi Arabia the next sports capital, so going outside the US is a necessity. It was also reported that if this does not happen, PIF is even willing to walk away from the deal.

According to the podcast, although there is very little chance of the audience getting the changes they want fast. However, it is important to ensure that the changes made are the right ones, and not just based on reactions, like omitting the qualifiers, which was not something the spectators wanted. “We didn’t make sure that the changes that we make going forward are the right changes that lead to success down the road,” he concluded.

However, it looks like some action must be taken, and quickly. The 2024 season has already faced a severe drop in viewership, both virtually and on the course. And if this goes on, the sport of golf might be at risk indeed.

What caused the drop in the TV viewership rates?

The developments in 2024 have raised significant concerns for golf’s stakeholders. This season has witnessed a 2.2 million drop in the viewership rate excluding the majors. It is around 20% down (2.7m) from its previous year, according to Sports Business Journal’s Josh Carpenter. This is because the inflated money is only concerned about spending on big players instead of bringing on expansion. While the shifting of big names like Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, and Phil Mickelson might be one of the reasons, there is more.

NBC did not renew their contract with Paul Zainger in November 2023. They gave him lesser pay, and the budget went through cut after cut since he joined in 2018. They also cut down on several resources. “Occasionally, you lose the airplane or the blimp,” then “lose the speed shots and then the big camera that covers the ball from the tee as it flies over the water,” he added in his interview with Golf Week.

He also added that the commercial prospect of the channel is surely one of the reasons behind the drop as it truly hindered the experience of fans watching from home. Not to forget the technical glitches faced time and again. Be it for the US Open live streaming or the tournament at Pebble Beach.

What are your thoughts on the matter? Do you agree with Billy Horschel and Rory McIlroy?