Home/Golf

USA Today via Reuters

USA Today via Reuters

The PGA Tour has been facing constant threat over the past two years. Of course, the European Tour and the PGA Tour harmoniously co-exist, but a bigger and more attractive breakaway league is planning to hit the sands and make them obsolete. Yes, the Premier Golf League is once again gaining strides and has returned with bigger news this time. 

There have been various talks about the breakaway tour over the last few months. Initially, it was supposed to be backed by a group of Saudi investors, but the picture has completely changed. 

BBC’s Iain Carter delivered a report that may give the PGA Tour yet another cause for concern. Carter has learned that the ‘Premier Golf League’ would be a Formula One-like competition where there will be 18 tournaments a year featuring the 48 best men’s players in the world. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

But what’s more enticing is that the project is worth in excess of $20 billion, according to Andy Gardiner, who is the boss of World Golf Group, the organization behind the funding of this league. 

USA Today via Reuters

Premier Golf League is aiming for a January 2023 start date

Premier Golf League events will also add up to the World Golf Ranking points. Andy Gardiner recently connected with BBC Sport where he extensively opened up about the plans they have in mind. Every tournament in the Premier Golf League will be worth $20 million, with the winner’s payout being $4m. 

In contrast, the highest winning purse on the PGA Tour is $2.7m, courtesy of the Players Championship. This new breakaway league is in no way related to the Saudi-based ‘Super Golf League,’ clarified Gardiner. 

“The January 2023 date right now is entirely feasible. We will see how the conversations go with the community that we want to embrace,” Gardiner told BBC Sport. 

via Reuters

Gardiner also pointed fingers at the PGA Tour and European Tour to embrace new competition. According to him, the tournaments in the Premier Golf League will take place across three days with no cuts to make it even more interesting. 

There is very little possibility of all three tours joining hands, according to Gardiner. “There have been barriers, but there is no need. I’ve listened to players talk about being banned, they are not going to ban the players, I can assure them of that,” he added. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Gardiner is extremely confident about their new proposal and aims to reach an agreement with the pre-existing tours. He also assured that no players will be banned and that the Premier Golf League events will also add up to the World Golf Ranking points. 

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Read More: Jason Day to Miss U.S. Open 2021 and End Major Championship Streak