The PGA Tour is set to introduce some big changes to proceedings in the next few years and a number of voices within the game can’t get on the same page when it comes to those changes.
The PGA Tour is looking to press on with big alterations to its product, including less cards for Korn Ferry Tour players, reducing fields to 144 players, and also cutting the number of players who keep their place from the FedEx cup from 125 to 100.
It’s been suggested that a number of players are happy with the proposed changes, especially when it comes to fields being smaller.
Of course, Wesley Bryan has conceded he has no issue with being kicked off if he doesn’t play well enough.
However, one man who isn’t happy with the changes is Padraig Harrington, who has labelled the changes as ‘terrible’, accusing some of trying to keep it a closed shop.
Still, while Harrington is a respected voice in the golfing world, Smylie Kaufman still isn’t on his side.
Why Smylie Kaufman disagrees with Padraig Harrington about PGA Tour changes
Speaking on the latest episode of his Smylie Kaufman podcast, the former PGA Tour player admitted he actually disagreed with some of the negativity towards the proposed changes.
“I think we debated them and I think we do like them. That’s what’s difficult about the PGA Tour. You’ve got a lot of guys with a lot of opinions. 200 plus members you are trying to appease with fields that are tightening, a different world in the professional golf landscape,” Kaufman said.
“You have to imagine there’s a lot of people who feel that way but from our perspective, somebody that played the game, was one the Tour and in media now and can see both sides, if I was still playing I’d 100% be in the boat of ‘I want every opportunity to play’. Now, I don’t really see it that way.
“It’s such a fine line. But one of the main reasons they talked about is not being able to finish on Fridays. That’s not the end of the world though, guys don’t really care, they just want to play. So when it comes to daylight, I get it can be used as an excuse, I think the players on the Korn Ferry or whatever will be like ‘we don’t care, just give us a tee-time'”.
PGA Tour at a crossroads to make changes after LIV Golf impact
The PGA Tour has hit a bit of a moment in time when it comes to keeping interest in the product, with TV ratings dropping and the ongoing presence of LIV causing issues.
They need to do something to change it up a bit and these rule changes will be their way of trying to do that.
There’s been suggestions PGA officials could well go ahead with the rules but tweak them and given the amount of players involved, that might be the best course of action.
Regardless, though, the PGA needs to reach some sort of agreement with the PIF and LIV and soon.
Fans are being continually turned off and with major stars like Tiger Woods nearing the end of their career, the TOUR needs to keep evolving.
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