‘Stuck in Its Way’: LIV Golf Pros Make a Bold Claim Snubbing PGA Tour’s Efforts to Make Golf ‘Cooler’

Things were pretty sorted when it was just the PGA Tour, with its traditional format and loyal following. Then came LIV Golf, the Saudi-funded league in 2022, and flipped the script by swaying away some of the biggest names in golf by offering them huge sums. The divide between the two leagues was immense, and the backlash was real. But honestly, can anyone say they’re not hooked by the rivalry? We’ve got LIV players cashing in, while PGA pros are all about climbing the leaderboard.  

Sure, the competitiveness is exciting, but let’s face it—there’s always been more to sports than just the game. There’s the politics, the drama, the quest to outdo each other. It’s all part of the story. At first, it was all about gaining viewership, and despite being the new kid, LIV was actually doing pretty well compared to the PGA Tour. Now, LIV is making a bold claim: they’re doing more to make golf “cooler” for the audience.

Don’t believe us? Take the guys from Majesticks GC—Ian Poulter, Henrik Stenson, Sam Horsfield, and Lee Westwood as they are the front and center in this claim. One of them put it this way: “I’ve thought for quite some time that golf has gone a bit sort of staid, stuck in its way. It’s a big machine that the cogs are grinding over and over. It’s a bit of a dinosaur, really.”

They’re basically saying that golf, like any other business, has to evolve or get left behind. And LIV thinks it’s been the one to do that. They’re not just talking about the game itself but how it’s presented to the world. One of their biggest moves? Bringing in celebrities to their pro-am events. Whether it’s POTUS Donald Trump, NBA legend Charles Barkley, or influencers like Katie Kearney and Hailey Ostrom, LIV has brought everyone to their event to tee up some serious traction.

But does that mean the PGA Tour is falling behind? Not exactly. Bringing celebrities into the mix isn’t exactly revolutionary—it’s more about pulling in a crowd from other industries to watch the sport. The PGA Tour has been in on this too. Just look at this year’s WM Phoenix Open. The event saw a star-studded lineup, including country superstar Jake Owen, along with other entertainers, TV personalities, and musicians.

So while both leagues are going all out to stay ahead in this rivalry, they’re still grappling with a common problem: viewership. Maybe R&A chief Martin Slumbers has the answer to that one.

Why is there a drop in golf’s viewership?

Golf used to be simple—players played, fans cheered, and that was that. But with LIV Golf’s arrival, there has been a split, and the hard truth is that fans are outgrowing the sport somewhere. R&A chief Martin Slumbers didn’t hold back saying, “I genuinely am concerned about the divisiveness in the men’s professional game. I think that is turning off people from watching.”

It’s not just the divide; the connection between pros and everyday golfers isn’t what it used to be. Slumbers pointed out that “there are very few players today who drive recreational golf,” as the game now leans more on influencers and its social appeal than its stars to draw in amateurs.

Then there’s the constant talk about money—contracts, prize purses, and dollar signs everywhere. “People are bored by that, and they get turned off,” he said. Fans want iconic moments on legendary courses, not endless chatter about who’s earning what.

And interestingly, the solution to it lies in the issue itself. Golf needs less politics, fewer dollar headlines, and a return to its roots—where the focus is back on the players, the sport, and the stories that make it special.