Many golf fans annoyed after ‘ridiculous’ PGA Tour decision before The Players Championship which is being called ‘a disgrace’

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While there is plenty to criticise the PGA Tour for right now, it definitely does appear that the tour deserves credit for trying to appeal to a different audience and embrace the way that many fans are now consuming the game of golf.

The PGA Tour has launched the Fan Forward program, with players encouraged to be more accommodating with the media, while also delivering a better product for the broadcasters with regards to slow play.

But the tour is also trying to do more to win over those who watch much of their golf content on social media.

The inaugural Creator Classic was played the day before the 2024 Tour Championship, with several big content creators teeing it up on the back nine at East Lake. And the second event has just taken place at TPC Sawgrass on the eve of the Players Championship.

Some fans angry after clip from the Creator Classic ahead of the Players Championship

It was Grant Horvat who won the event, while Fat Perez had his own moment to be Tiger Woods on the 17th hole as he holed a monster putt from the back of the green.

But not everyone enjoyed what they saw from those who were involved. Barstool Sports’ Trent Ryan finished 29 over par for eight holes. And in one clip, Ryan – who won a qualifier to play – managed to take an incredible divot when trying to play the ball out of the rough at one stage.

The divot was so large that the ball came back to rest in a very similar spot. While some saw the funny side, others were less than impressed, with one fan writing: ‘Get him off the course. This is a disgrace‘.

Another said: ‘Literally so embarrassing. Cannot believe people think this is good for the game.’ Elsewhere, one viewer wrote: ‘Get these hacks off the course please‘. And another said: ‘Stop making a fool of the sport.’

There have been calls for the Creator Classic to stop after this event, with one fan writing: ‘Cancel all of these in the future. Thank you.’ Another posted: ‘Get off the course. That’s ridiculous.’

But there was also plenty of support for Ryan, with one fan writing: ‘The amount of people upset about this creator classic is pure comedy. Will hate on anyone doing something they wish they could.‘

Another said: ‘That is classic Trent. Love it.‘

The change to the Creator Classic the PGA Tour needs to consider

Much like TGL, the Creator Classic is never going to be every fan’s cup of tea. And you can understand why those fans want to see the course in the best condition possible before the flagship event on the PGA Tour.

But the PGA Tour is likely to benefit from opening the doors to these content creators. Last year’s Creator Classic attracted more viewers than LIV Golf’s event that same week.

Perhaps the way forward would be playing the Creator Classics in the days after the main event has taken place. But it is hard to imagine that Wednesday’s event is going to have much of a negative impact on the next few days.