Grant Horvat has caused quite a stir on the PGA Tour, having rejected an invite to play at the Barracuda Championship.
All eyes are on The Open Championship this week, with Royal Portrush playing host to the fourth and final major of the season.
But the PGA Tour is also continuing at the Barracuda Championship, which is taking place at Tahoe Mountain Club.
And YouTube sensation Horvat had been invited to take part, but the American decided to turn down the offer.
Horvat had intended to video his efforts in California but was not allowed to do so, leading to his decision to reject the invite.
Dan Rapaport reacts to Grant Horvat rejecting PGA Tour invite
PGA Tour player Michael Kim saw both sides of Horvat’s PGA Tour invite rejection, with Dan Rapaport now echoing that perspective.
He said on Dan on Golf: “We live in a society where it’s really black and white and you are expected to be on one side of this but I understand both sides.
READ MORE: Wesley Bryan issues apology after what he said about Grant Horvat’s situation with the PGA Tour
“From Grant’s perspective, Grant is not one of these YouTubers who is like I want to be a PGA Tour player.
“There are YouTubers who have been Tour players or mini-Tour players like Sean Walsh or even Micah Morris.
“Grant has always said it’s not about playing on Tour, I am not trying to be a professional golfer but it would be really cool if I could bring you guys inside the ropes of a PGA Tour event.
“For him the whole point of this is to be like I have played in a PGA Tour event, here is what he is like. If he doesn’t do that he doesn’t get the benefit of bringing his audience inside with him, he is just another player in the field.
“From the PGA Tour’s side, if they let someone inside the ropes filming competition that is a can of worms. Every person is going to be like I want to do that, I want a camera crew.”
PGA Tour put in tricky situation by grateful Grant Horvat
It is certainly an interesting situation regarding Horvat and the PGA Tour, which arguably would have gained more attention if not for The Open this week.
In that light, the PGA Tour would have likely increased interest in the Barracuda Championship had they allowed Horvat and his team to film.
The YouTuber has amassed a huge following online, and has collaborated with the likes of Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Scottie Scheffler.
At the same time, however, many other players in the field may not appreciate the attention one bit as they look to make the cut and ultimately earn as much money as possible.
But on the other side of the coin, many others may love the increased attention and the fanfare around an event that is undoubtedly being overshadowed this week.
One very important point is that Horvat is in no way bitter about his situation, which certainly deserves to be both highlighted and praised.
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