19th Hole
The Premier Golf League: Everything you need to know about the proposed new world tour
The Premier Golf League has been a hot topic of discussion in the world of golf this year, and more information has emerged on the potential new world tour over the past few days.
With those recently released details from the minds behind the new concept and with plenty of reaction being given to the press from Tour players over the past week, here’s a breakdown of all the essential details of the Premier Golf League.
Who is behind the Premier Golf League?
CEO of the Premier Golf League is Andrew Gardiner—an attorney and London-based director at Barclays Capital. Together with Gardiner, Colin Neville, a partner at Raine Group—a New York-based sports, media and entertainment investment firm—is reported to have been highly influential in the PGL’s conception.
What is the concept of the Premier Golf League?
The new Premier Golf League would consist of an 18 event circuit featuring the top 48 players in the world who would be competing for a total prize purse of $240 million.
The PGL would involve an eight-month season—including 10 U.S. events—which would be played over 54 holes.
The remaining eight events would be split as follows: four in Asia, three in Europe, and one in Australia.
At each event, there would be a total prize purse of $10 million up for grabs, with the winner of each stroke play event taking home the $2 million winner’s share. The end of season champion would collect a bonus of $10 million.
Would the Premier Golf League consist solely of strokeplay events?
No. Co-existing alongside the individual strokeplay events would be a team event. The team event would consist of 12 four-man teams, with one player from each side being the team owner.
Each team would be competing for a total prize of $40 million with the winner’s share being $14 million.
What other details do we know?
- Shotgun starts for the first two rounds with each captain deciding before each round which two player’s scores would count towards the team event.
- No dress code outside of potential team uniforms.
- A draft system.
- A transfer window.
- A relegation and promotion system as seen in soccer.
- A playoff concept for the final event involving top seeds.
- No course venues have thus far been discussed.
Could a player compete on the PGA Tour and the PGL?
No. Players would have to choose between one or the other.
Could players compete in the PGL and golf’s four major championships?
Yes. Separate bodies run the four majors and therefore players in the PGL could compete in golf’s four biggest events.
When could the PGL launch?
The PGL would likely kick off in 2022 or 2023.
What has the PGA Tour and European Tour said in regards to the proposed new World Tour?
PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan issued a memo to Tour players last month stating
“If the Team Golf Concept or another iteration of this structure becomes a reality in 2022 or at any time before or after, our members will have to decide whether they want to continue to be a member of the PGA Tour or play on a new series.”
European Tour chief, Keith Pelley, has not spoken publicly on the matter.
What have players said about the PGL?
Tiger Woods confirmed at a press conference at this month’s Genesis Invitational that he had been “personally approached” about his potential involvement in the world super-circuit and that he and his team are currently “looking into it.”
Earlier this year, The Scotsman reported that Phil Mickelson met and played with key PGL members during the Saudi International Pro-Am and told the media that he was “intrigued” by the idea.
“I haven’t had the chance to put it all together and think about what I want to say about it publicly, but I do think it was an informative day for me to have the chance to spend time with them.”
Last week, Justin Rose told the Daily Mail that “It’s (The PGL) increasingly becoming talked about in the locker room,” and that “there are a lot of incentives for the guys to be interested.”
Before the WGC-Mexico, Rory McIlroy dealt the PGL its most significant blow yet, when he told reporters that
“The more I’ve thought about it, the more I don’t like it. For me, I’m out.”
The Ulsterman also added that he believes opinions in the locker room are currently split on the concept.
Following McIlroy’s comments, Bubba Watson also ruled out any potential involvement in the PGL telling Golf Channel last week
“It doesn’t matter to me; I’m playing on the PGA Tour. Why go anywhere else, we have the best tour in the world?”
While Xander Schauffele looks to have also sided with the PGA Tour, telling the publication that
“Our commissioner set us straight, you have to pick which tour you want to play on and the benefits we have on the PGA Tour are pretty hard to beat. For me, how young I am and how early it is in my career all the history is made on the PGA Tour and that’s where I want to be.”
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19th Hole
LET pro gives detailed financial breakdown of first week on tour…and the net result may shock you
On Friday morning, Ladies European Tour player, Hannah Gregg, took to social media to share her weekly expenses playing on the LET.
Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour:
Flights: $2600
Work Visa: $350
Food: $377
Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week! ?
Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car ??…— Hannah Gregg (@hannahbggg) April 26, 2024
“Expenses of my first week on Ladies European Tour: Flights: $2600 Work Visa: $350
- Food: $377
- Caddie: $0 because I have an amazing Fiancé
- Hotel: $0 because @GregChalmersPGA sorted me host housing for the week!
- Rental Car: +0 because the Tour Tee guys GAVE me their car
- Gas: $165
- Entry Fee: $130
- Lounge Pass for caddie: $50
- Gym: $0
- Yardage book: $0
- Total expenses: $3672
Made cut, finished 54th, total earned: $1244 Factor in 35% tax on earnings. To break even, needed to finish 24th. To make money, 21st. Guess we have our goals laid out for next event!”
When factoring in Gregg’s free housing, free caddie and free rental car, it’s evident that most LET players would have to finish well inside of the top-20 to make any money.
With ridiculous amounts of money being thrown around in professional golf these days, it’s important to remember the other side of the coin as well. There are countless professionals out there who struggle to get by on their golf salary.
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- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
54-hole golf tour deemed eligible for OWGR points…but it’s not LIV
After a seventeen-month application process, a 54-hole golf tour was deemed eligible for OWGR points.
Unfortunately, for LIV Golf and their fans, it was the Clutch Pro Tour.
After the decision, which is effective immediately, OWGR chairman Peter Dawson issued a statement.
“This is a significant milestone for golf, and OWGR is deeply encouraged by the achievement and the continued efforts in developing the sport of golf in the United Kingdom.”
“We look forward to watching the progress of the Clutch Pro Tour as it continues to play a key role in the development of players from the region,” Dawson added.
OWGR Announcement
Read more here – https://t.co/7J4bFpawqv#OWGR#OfficialWorldGolfRanking pic.twitter.com/ZfBJWCFAm8— OWGR (@OWGRltd) April 25, 2024
The Clutch Pro Tour operates in the United Kingdom and features a 36-hole cut. It also has an open qualifying school.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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19th Hole
Charlie Woods attempting to qualify for spot at 2024 U.S. Open
As first reported by Bob Harig of Sports Illustrated, Charlie Woods will be attempting to qualify for this year’s U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.
The first stage of qualifying for this year’s tournament will be an 18-hole local event on Thursday, April 25th, in Port St. Lucie, Florida.
There will be 84 players in the field, five of which will reach the 36-hole qualifier that will take place in June.
Earlier this season, Charlie attempted to qualify for the Cognizant Classic, and struggled, shooting an 86.
If the younger Woods is able to qualify, he will tee it up in the same field as his father in a few months at one of the more historic U.S. Open venues.
More from the 19th Hole
- The wild reason why Mark Wahlberg was initially denied entry to an Australian golf club
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Edoardo Molinari reveals the latest PGA Tour golfer to turn down ‘good offer’ from LIV Golf
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