The change Nick Faldo was urging the PGA Tour to make which he admitted TV companies would ‘hate’

Add as preferred source on Google

Sir Nick Faldo has garnered a reputation as one of the most uncompromising analysts in the game since he retired from playing competitive golf.

There is never a topic or debate that Faldo avoids getting involved in, and due to his no-nonsense opinions, there is always a clamor to hear what he has to say.

The Englishman won six majors throughout his illustrious career and it’s not unfair to suggest that his impact in golf broadcasting has been equally as resounding as it was on the golf course.

The 68-year-old regularly demands change in the game at the very highest level.

What is the one golf rule you would change if you had the opportunity?

Comment

Like or Comment

Have your say Sign-in now for free

Faldo has called for a ban on 60 degree lob wedges and has often urged the PGA Tour to put a limit on the height of tees.

He constantly beats the drum that the game is simply too easy nowadays in comparison to when he was winning titles regularly.

Faldo is often critical of modern-day superstars as well, Rory McIlroy included.

The man who won The Masters and the Open three times has a bee in his bonnet about the PGA Tour schedule as well, it seems.

The change Nick Faldo urged the PGA Tour to make

Back in 2024, Faldo made it crystal clear that the PGA Tour schedule was lacking one very specific kind of tournament.

As things stand, the Tour is undergoing huge changes, with new CEO Brian Rolapp prepared to push the boundaries when it comes to improving the product on offer.

Perhaps Rolapp should listen to one of the changes Faldo has been urging the PGA Tour to make for quite some time now.

Last year, Faldo told Bunkered that the PGA Tour schedule is in need of more matchplay tournaments.

He said: “We need more matchplay tournaments. We really do. I know TV hates it because you could lose all your superstars on day one, but if we had half a dozen matchplay tournaments, it would even itself out, wouldn’t it?

“The good old World Match Play was such a great event. It really was. But then they got all panicky. You know, round-robin, you can lose and still win. It was ridiculous. Just get on with it.

“Get 64 guys and go wallop, wallop, wallop. They should be playing 36 holes every day, shouldn’t they? Kick them out the door and tell them to go play. I think that would work.

“We used to say that the best day in golf, outside of The Masters, was the first day of the Match Play because 32 players went home. And nobody wants to go home. You need that in our sport again. None of this guaranteed bloody wage packet.“

The PGA Tour would be better with more ‘jeopardy’

Faldo highlighted how the higher the stakes in any sport, the more exciting it is for fans to watch.

He said: “Any sport is at its best when there’s a little bit of jeopardy. It doesn’t matter who you are. You don’t want to get beaten and sent home on day one. You’ll get guys trying their absolute you-know-what off.”

Faldo makes a great point here. There is so much more jeopardy involved with matchplay tournaments.

And he was bang on the money with his comments about the TV companies ‘hating’ matchplay events as well.

The World Golf Championships-Dell Technologies Match Play was last played in 2023, and there is definitely something missing from the PGA Tour schedule now.

Perhaps it’s time for at least one matchplay event to return to the PGA Tour schedule. As Faldo explained, the increased jeopardy would equal much more excitement for those watching on their TV screens.