The PGA Tour is set to host the inaugural Creator Classic just before the Tour Championship; unfortunately, YouTube golf star stalwart Rick Shiels won’t be in attendance.
Shiels has been one of the pioneers of YouTube golf and has nearly breached the three million subscriber number.
Just this year, the Englishman has filmed content with Bryson DeChambeau, Tommy Fleetwood, and fellow YouTube star Grant Horvat. Shiels also famously attempted to qualify for The Open.
YouTube golf is undoubtedly on the rise, and the PGA Tour has taken note in 2024. The Myrtle Beach Qualifier gave social media stars the chance to earn a spot on a certified tour event.
And now, the PGA is allowing some of the world’s biggest YouTube stars to play at East Lake just before the Tour Championship.
Rick Shiels snubbed from Creator Classic at East Lake
The Creator Classic will see YouTube’s finest take on East Lake’s brand-new back nine. The tournament will consist of eight holes of gross stroke play before a playoff takes place between the top four finishers.
DeChambeau even asked for an invite after the PGA Tour’s announcement. DeChambeau, unsurprisingly, won’t be in attendance, and Shiels will join the big-hitting LIV Golf man on the sidelines.
Speaking in his latest podcast episode, Shiels has reacted after receiving a surprise snub from the PGA Tour.
“I’ve checked my mailbox, Instagram DMs, I checked my post. I even reactivated my MySpace account to see if there were any invites,” Shiels explained.
“Your boy didn’t get invited. Still, I would’ve liked to be invited to say no, because I am on holiday. It’s very interesting. I think it would’ve tested my confidence in my golf game.
“I haven’t been invited, but I would’ve liked to have been invited to say no because I am on a family holiday. I have posted on the PGA Tour’s website.”
The OG of YouTube golf should’ve been invited to East Lake
Quite why the PGA Tour snubbed Shiels is a mystery. The Englishman is the OG of the space and was thoroughly deserving of a spot in the competition.
Many of the people competing at East Lake wouldn’t be there without Shiels’ influence. He was one of the first to really push golf on YouTube and ultimately inspired the likes of Peter Finch and Grant Horvat.
Of course, everyone in attendance is 100 per cent deserving of their spot; it’s just a shame Shiels won’t get to test his game at one of golf’s most famous venues.
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