USGA CEO Mike Whan is no stranger to hard conversations. His voice carries weight, and his decisions don’t go unnoticed. In 2023, he faced criticism for changing a rule that directly impacted LIV golfer Talor Gooch’s entry into the U.S. Open. Clarifying that he did not mean any malice towards Gooch, he said, “Any time we make changes to our criteria going forward it impacts somebody and that stinks, but we can only look forward.” Now, with the $3 billion merger just extending, Whan’s latest comments have raised some eyebrows.

Whan recently sat down for an exclusive interview with Golf Digest. There, he was asked about how this PGA Tour and LIV Golf saga’s impact on golf, Whan was honest. “Whenever I walk into a room these days, the first three or four questions I get are always about [professional infighting], and that’s OK.” Well, there is no lying here. Ever since LIV’s inception, there has been a fight in the golf world, between fans, pros, and in general. Whan finds this OK, that is strange since its impact on the game has been ugly.

But he also knows what the game would have been if everyone was not talking about LIV Golf vs, PGA Tour; “But if we weren’t talking about this, we’d have to be talking about the greatest swing in golf in history.” One of the most surprising, or rather eye-opening things he said were these nine words; “The game’s big enough to host all kinds of tours and all kinds of formats.” 

Whan remarks this as the greatest golf swing, what does he mean? The numbers of viewership this year have been bad. Well, he says this in reference to the popularity of the sport; “Forty-six million people playing golf in the United States, and the growth being driven by demographics that didn’t used to be considered a big part of this game: juniors and people of color. Men’s golf is only up a little bit. There are a thousand more girls’ golf teams today in high schools in America than there were 10 years ago. Golf is almost equal with soccer. In terms of business, I joined this game when I was 29, and it’s never been righter than it is right now,” said the 59-year-old.

This coming from Whan is indeed surprising, especially when his policies have sparked division before. Gooch’s frustration was understandable when he discovered that an updated qualifying criterion meant he was no longer eligible for automatic entry into the 2023 U.S. Open.

The USGA changed the language of one of its rules. The rule used to say “Those players qualifying for the season-ending Tour Championship” now read, “Those players who qualified and were eligible for the season-ending 2022 Tour Championship.” Because Gooch had joined LIV Golf and was barred from competing in PGA Tour events, he found himself shut out under the new rules. “That was obviously disappointing because that changed rule only affected one person, which was me,“ Gooch voiced on the 73rd Hole Podcast.

So you see how swift the change in Whan’s tone is. The change is there but what he says also makes sense. The game of golf is big enough to accommodate all kinds of formats and leagues, we as a community need a little more perspective to welcome it. There have been a few experiments lately, such as Creators Classic, The Showdown featuring Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, and Brooks Koepka.

However, Whan says that despite the controversy, the sport has been resilient, and it’s hard to disagree with. 

How did the year shape up according to Whan?

As the golf season winds down, Mike Whan took a moment to reflect on how the USGA year wrapped up. “In my four years in this job, this was our best,” he said. Sure, there were challenges, like the extreme weather that affected events, but most venues really showcased their best qualities. Kudos to the resilience and adaptability of the organization.

Whan also pointed to the U.S. Open at Pinehurst as a highlight, emphasizing how crucial it was to get it right since they’ll be back every five years. It’s clear that there’s a long-term vision at play, and maintaining that level of excellence is a priority for him and the team.

Looking forward, the successes of 2024 lay a solid groundwork for what’s next. With more people getting involved and a commitment to featuring golf’s best venues, the USGA is set up for even more success in the years ahead.

As we look forward, the question remains: how will the ongoing rivalry shape the future of golf? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!