With the world of golf continuing to be split down the middle thanks to LIV and the PGA Tour’s ongoing battles, things are still frustrating for plenty in the game.
For fans, there’s now a clear divide with some preferring to watch the LIV players and others preferring to tune into the PGA or DP World Tours.
Of course, there are those who simply love any golf and will happily watch whichever tour is producing the best golf and most excitement.
Each tour has stars in its own right as well, with the PGA Tour boasting the likes of Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler, and LIV Golf hosting Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm among their ranks.
Still, the knock on effect of having this split in golf is being felt and after viewing figures for the PGA Tour were published, it seems things are very much still rocky.
PGA Tour viewing figures make stark reading after Rory McIlroy prediction
According to a report from The Mirror, which cites viewing figures from the Business Sports Journal, viewership for the PGA Tour in 2024 has dipped significantly when it comes to the Sunday broadcasts.
The report claims that viewing figures have dropped by half a million on average, or 19%, in what is a bitter blow to the PGA Tour.
Losing viewers is no good for anyone in the game and the likes of Jay Monahan will be concerned that a near 20% drop is not a good look.
Indeed, this is just what Rory McIlroy said might happen. Back in 2023, McIlroy said the following:
“I would say the numbers on LIV aren’t great either in terms of the people tuning in. I just think with the fighting and everything that’s went on over the past couple years, people are just getting really fatigued of it and it’s turning people off men’s professional golf, and that’s not a good thing for anyone.”
Golf has to work something out
This just shows that in some way, the impact of the LIV tour has had an effect on matters relating to the PGA.
Whether or not it is due to people watching LIV or simply becoming sick of golf in general and the money side of things, is another debate entirely.
But clearly, both tours need to work together now to work out a common ground and bring the game back together in some way shape or form.
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The mini match with DeChambeau, Scheffler, Koepka and McIlroy in December is a start of sorts but it is this sort of thing that is going to build bridges and help matters.
Hopefully, then, the game can sort itself out and we’ll see more of the best from both tours competing against each other more in the future.
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