News
Monahan announces Tour changes: Top players to play more, guaranteed money, PIP expansion
Commissioner Jay Monahan announced several enhancements to the PGA Tour and its schedule in a press conference ahead of the Tour Championship, Wednesday.
In the wake of last week’s players-only meeting, Monahan announced additional “elevated events” for 2023. Top players (defined as players who finish in the top 20 under the current Player Impact Program and players who finish in the top 20 under the revised PIP criteria) will participate in at least 20 PGA Tour events (up from 15, previously).
Additional items include an expansion to the Player Impact Program (doubled to award $100 million to 20 players) and guaranteed league-minimum earnings ($500K) for full PGA Tour members.
“Our top players are firmly behind the Tour, helping us deliver an unmatched product to our fans, who will be all but guaranteed to see the best players competing against each other in 20 events or more throughout the season,” Monahan said.
Full details from Wednesday’s announcements:
1. Top players will commit to at least a 20-event PGA TOUR schedule (assuming they qualify), which includes:
A. 12 Elevated Events
1. FedExCup Playoffs
A. FedEx St. Jude Championship – $20 million
B. BMW Championship – $20 million
C. TOUR Championship/FedExCup Bonus Pool – $75 million
2. The Genesis Invitational – $20 million
3. Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard – $20 million
4. the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday – $20 million
5. WGC-Dell Match Play Championship – $20 million
6. Sentry Tournament of Champions – $15 million
7. To be announced: four additional Elevated Events – purses of at least $20 million each
B. THE PLAYERS Championship – $25 million
C. The Masters Tournament, PGA Championship, U.S. Open, The Open Championship
D. 3 Additional FedExCup events (of the player’s choosing)
2. For the 2022-23 season, a “top player” will be defined as:
A. Players who finish in the top 20 under the current Player Impact Program AND players who finish in the top 20 under the revised PIP criteria
3. Expansion of the Player Impact Program
A. Reward 20 players a total (up from 10) for 2022 and 2023
B. Total bonus pool of $100 million (previously announced as $50 million) in 2022 and 2023
C. For 2022, any player on the revised criteria list who is not on the current criteria list will receive a payout equal to 20th position (most likely two or three players)
D. Players will receive their PIP bonus at the end of the season after competing in the 12 Elevated Events and three non-elevated events, as outlined above
4. Launch of “Earnings Assurance Program”
A. For fully exempt members (Korn Ferry Tour category and above)
B. Guaranteed league minimum of $500,000 per player (TOUR funds any gaps in earnings)
C. Rookies and returning members will receive money up front
D. Must participate in 15 events
E. Replaces “Play15” Program
5. Travel Stipend Program
A. For non-exempt members (126-150 category and below)
B. Receive $5,000 for every missed cut
C. Subsidizes travel and tournament-related expenses
D. Does not impact tournament purses
Commissioner Jay Monahan discusses the state and future of the PGA TOUR ahead of @PlayoffFinale. https://t.co/x8ADYFdINZ
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 24, 2022
A copy of the letter Monahan sent to PGA Tour members, via Golf Digest’s Daniel Rapaport, below.
Here’s the letter Jay Monahan sent to PGA Tour membership today. Some more changes.
—$5,000 for missed cuts
—Getting to Tour Championship comes with a two-year exemption
—No more 15-season minimum for lifetime membership. So Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas immediately have it. pic.twitter.com/JXyiXX09Qz— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) August 24, 2022
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Tour Photo Galleries
Photos from the 2024 Zurich Classic of New Orleans
GolfWRX is live on site this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans for the PGA Tour’s one-and-only two-man team event.
As usual, general galleries, WITBs, and pullout albums — including some pretty spicy custom putters and headcovers — await your viewing.
Be sure to check back for more photos from the Big Easy, as we’ll continue to update this page with additional galleries throughout the week.
General Albums
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Monday #2
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #1
- 2024 Zurich Classic – Tuesday #2
WITB Albums
- Alex Fitzpatrick – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Austin Cook – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Alejandro Tosti – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Davis Riley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- MJ Daffue – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Nate Lashley – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- James Nicholas – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Kevin Streelman – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rasmus Hojgaard – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Tom Whitney – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- SangMoon Bae – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Daniel Berger – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Rory McIlroy – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Russ Cochrane – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Aldrich Potgieter – WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Steve Stricker WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Drew Brees WITB (Legendary New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Derek Carr (New Orleans Saints QB) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Thriston Lawrence WITB – 2024 Zurich Classic
Pullout Albums
- MJ Daffue’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Cameron putters – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Swag covers ( a few custom for Nick Hardy) – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Custom Bettinardi covers for Matt and Alex Fitzpatrick – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Doug Ghim’s custom Cameron putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
- Patrick Cantlay spotted testing a Scotty Cameron blade putter – 2024 Zurich Classic
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News
Morning 9: Tiger’s TGL teammates | Woosnam’s criticism of Cantlay | Rory’s return to tour policy board
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News
Tour Rundown: Six-pack of tourneys follows Masters
Brazil and Texas were kindred souls this week, at least when it came to weather. Both regions experienced torrential delays, and three tournaments were held up. The LPGA, PGA Tour Americas, and PGA Tour Champions were compelled to reduce play or work extra holes into Sunday. As if that weren’t enough, South Carolina and the PGA Tour fell victim to nature’s wrath, with lightning postponing the conclusion of the event to Monday.
The year’s first women’s major championship was celebrated in Texas. The Chevron is gaining a bit of tradition in its second year after relocation. This year’s event culminated in the continued coronation of the game’s current best. The Korn Ferry Tour saw a top-twenty performance from a 15-year old amateur, while the second event of the week on the big tour found a winner in the Dominican Republic. Six events is more than a handful, so let’s get right to it, with this week’s (delayed) Tour Rundown.
LPGA @ Chevron Championship: Korda corrals second major title
The winter of 2022-2023 seems so distant for current Nelly Korda. A mysterious ailment sapped all of her energy, just as the world appeared to have finally emerged from the pandemic. We never quite secured the complete information that we desired, but no one can say that any of us deserved to know more than Nelly wished to share. One thing is for certain: Nelly Korda has returned to top form, and the world number one golfer is at least one level above anyone else on tour.
Korda began her 2024 campaign with a January victory in the Drive One Championship. In her next start, in March, she continued her assault on the record books, with a win at the Se Ri Pak. She won again the following week, at the Ford, then defeated Leona Maguire in the final match at the T-Mobile Match Play, for a fourth consecutive victory. Would the increased hype around a major championship have an impact on her game? Well, no.
Korda began play at the Chevron Championship with a score of 68. She trailed Lauren Coughlin by two after 18 holes, but caught her with a second-round 69. Coughlin would ultimately tie for third spot with Brooke Henderson. Henderson played with Korda on day four, but the middle third of the round was her undoing. Making a late move was Maja Stark. House Stark closed with birdies at 17 and 18 to reach 11 under par. Both Korda and Strak played the final three days in identical numbers: 69 each day.
Korda held a firm hand on the tournament over the course of the final day. She stood minus-four for the round through ten holes, before a bit of sloppy play made things competitive again. Bogeys at 11 and 15 opened the door a wee bit for Stark. Korda was equal to the test, however, and closed stylishly with birdie at 18.
Safely around the green on the 72nd hole
Watch @NellyKorda‘s historic finish now on NBC! pic.twitter.com/1zaAYtbaCz
— LPGA (@LPGA) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour 1 @ RBC: Scottie, so hottie!
Nelly isn’t the only golfer on fire, although Scottie Scheffler still has a ways to go to match her. Scheffler proved this week that he has a game for all courses. After winning comfortably at lengthy Augusta National, Scheffler shifted gears and game to the wee Sea Pines course, and won again. That’s two weeks in a row for the man from New Jersey/Texas, so let’s learn how he did it.
Scheffler totaled 69 on day one, and found himself six shots behind leader J.T. Poston. Scheffler revealed that his teacher, Randy Smith, would tell him that he didn’t need to be the best 15 year-old; just the best 25 year-old. It was easy, then, to play the long game and consider all 72 holes, instead of just 18. Scheffler improved to 65 on Friday, and then went even lower on Saturday. His 63 moved him to the top of the board, and caused the golfverse to wonder if Scheffler would win for a second consecutive week.
Sunday saw all the chasers fall away. Scores between 70 and 72 from Patrick Rodgers, Collin Morikawa, and Sepp Straka meant that others would need to seize the day, if Scheffler were to do more than coast. Wyndham Clark and Justin Thomas each moved inside the top five with fourth-round 65s, but no one ever got close enough to the world number one. The win was Scheffler’s 10th on tour, and made him the betting favorite for next month’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
Scottie Scheffler can save par from just about anywhere.
Including the water ?
(Presented by @CDWCorp) pic.twitter.com/RUqL2sBrr9
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 22, 2024
PGA Tour 2 @ Corales Puntacana: Baton Boy claims 8th Tour triumph
If you’ve ever seen Billy Horschel toss a club, you know that he doesn’t do so in anger. More likely is a calculated, soaring arc, paired with a look of fractured disbelief, followed by a quick catch of the cudgel. Ergo, Baton Boy. This week on the island of Hispaniola, the native of Grant, Florida, outworked and outhustled everyone else on Sunday. Horschel gathered seven birdies and an eagle, on the way to a 63 and a 23-under par total.
The former Florida Gator zipped past the four golfers in front of him, and left the remaining field in the rear-view mirror. Horschel’s round was two shots better than anyone else, and moved him two shots ahead of third-round leader Wesley Bryan. One of the famed Bryan Brothers, Wes closed with birdie at the last to post a 68 that would have won the week on any other day.
Walking it in with a fist pump ?@BillyHo_Golf is 9-under on the day and leads by two @CoralesChamp. pic.twitter.com/N6rjL1GGGA
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 21, 2024
Korn Ferry Tour @ LeCom Suncoast: It’s Widing in extra holes
Miles Russell probably won’t have to serve detention for ditching class on Thursday and Friday. The high school freshman made his KFT debut, survived the 36-hole cut, and toyed with a top-ten finish. He ultimately tied for 20th at 14-under par, six shots behind the three co-leaders. My guess is that Epstein’s Mom will write him a note, and he’ll get a pass. By finishing top-25, Russell earned a spot in next week’s event. Yikes!
Back to the top of the board. Patrick Cover, Steven Fisk, and Tim Widing all found their way to the magic number of -20. Fisk made birdie at the last, after bogeys at 16 and 17. Cover had three bogeys on the back nine, but a birdie at 14 was enough to get him to overtime. Widing was plus-one on the day through four, but played interstellar golf over the final 14. Six birdies moved him from Russell-ville to extra time.
The trio scurried to the 18th tee, where Cover drove into a fairway bunker. He was unable to reach the green with his approach, made bogey, and exited the overtime session. Widing and Fisk returned to the final deck once more, and matters were resolved. Fisk was unable to convert a long par putt, and Widing (pronounced VEE-ding) tapped in for his first KFT title.
The feeling of relief when you know you won. ???
Tim Widing is now a champion on the #KornFerryTour. pic.twitter.com/K0vgiZ21UG
— Korn Ferry Tour (@KornFerryTour) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Americas @ Brasil Open: Mr. Anderson finds a way
Golf is a funny game. Matthew Anderson held a lead with one round to play. He made six pars on Sunday, and sprinkled the rest of his card with birdies and bogeys. In complete contrast, Ollie Osborne played consistently on the day, posting four birdies and zero bogeys. Connor Godsey was not far off Osborne’s pace, with seven birdies and but two bogeys on the scorecard. So, of course, Matthew Anderson won by a stroke over Osborne and Godsey.
Not how, but how many, is another one of those platitudes that we all learn early on. Despite five bogeys through his first 14 holes, Anderson summoned the defiant grit to make birdie at the 71st and 72nd holes. After making deuce at the penultimat hole, Anderson’s swerving effort at the last looked as if it should miss low, but it had enough pace to stay inside the hole and fall for a closing four at the par-five finisher.
Birdie-birdie finish to secure the ?
Mississauga-native Matthew Anderson is your 69th ECP Brazil Open Champion. pic.twitter.com/ONE8hIUjeS
— PGA TOUR Americas (@PGATOURAmericas) April 21, 2024
PGA Tour Champions @ Invited Celebrity: Broadhurst stands tall
What do you call a tournament that begins on Friday, takes Saturday off, and finishes on Sunday? Fortunate is one adjective to use. A weather system moved through Texas this weekend, and made a mess of things in Irving. After Thomas Bjorn signed for 64 on day one, rain and all things counter-productive moved through the Las Colinas resort, ensuring that Saturday would be nothing more than a rest day. When Sunday arrived, conditions had improved, and the game was on. Bjorn was unable to preserve his Friday magic, although he did record a 70 for -8. He finished in a third-place tie with Y.E. Yang.
David Toms, the 2001 PGA Championship victor, presented Sunday’s low round, and moved to 10-under par. Toms made one mistake on the day. He lived in the rough on the 9th hole, ultimately making bogey. The rest of the day was immaculate, as seven birdies came his way, resulting in a six-under par 65. Only one golfer was able to surpass Toms, and that was Paul Broadhurst.
Broadhurst nearly matched Toms for daily honors. His mistake came early, with bogey at the second. He bounced back with eagle at the third, and added three more birdies for 66 and 11-under par. Over his first three seasons on the Tour Champions, Broadhurst won five times, including two major titles. His fifth win came in 2018, making this win his first in six years. A long time coming, for sure, but well earned.
Looking at the hole is working for @PBroadhurstGolf ?
He leads by one after a clutch birdie on 15 @InvitedCC. pic.twitter.com/S0rhcVwaeE
— PGA TOUR Champions (@ChampionsTour) April 21, 2024
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KP
Aug 27, 2022 at 1:54 pm
Dear LIV players,
Thank you for improving our earning potential and quality of life on tour. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Sincerely,
Every PGA Tour player
joe
Aug 26, 2022 at 12:27 am
Monahan should resign if the health of the tour is truly his aim.
I do enjoy people like TW talking about integrity and honor and such. Its good for a laugh
If nothing else LIV has removed most of the D bags from the tour and for that I’m eternally grateful.
I think what we ultimately have to come to grips with is that its too difficult for players to work their way up financially (thinking mini tour guys etc), yet its too demanding on the top talent to keep the pace of the 12 month schedule.
Does anyone remember when the tour had an off season? We started with the masters and ended with the PGA. It was better for the players and better for the fans. Perhaps less money for the tour…is the tail wagging the dog?
Jack
Aug 26, 2022 at 6:33 am
I’m also eternally grateful that most of the D bags went to LIV…
joe and Jack
Aug 28, 2022 at 5:01 pm
You two bottoms should meet up and get it over with. GAW GAW GAW slobber slobber slobber oh Im so eternally grateful GAW GAW GAW
MhtLion
Aug 25, 2022 at 2:05 pm
Great changes! 15 years late, but still a great change.
Tiger McIlroy
Aug 25, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Monahan: “us crusty boomers at PGA are finally making the changes you’ve been begging for decades, and oh by the way Saudi evil, Saudi Saudi Saudi blood money sportwashing buzzword buzzword buzzword, capiche?????”
Gary Ahlert
Aug 25, 2022 at 10:34 am
i agree with what everyone above has said. There ought to be a big thank you and apologies to all those players like Phil, Johnson and the rest who stood above all this nonsense, lies and hypocrisy.
Scott
Aug 25, 2022 at 7:30 am
I find it amazing that Phil and others had been saying “you need to make some changes or we’re looking at something new”, and that after all that has happened, they decide to make some of these changes. I’m not quite sure the logic in allowing some of the biggest names in the sport (Mickelson, Johnson, Koepka, Dechambeau) to leave and be banned from your tour, then afterwards fulfill some of their requests.
I’ve never been offered more money than I’ve made in my entire working career to work for someone I don’t align with morally, so I’m not going to speak to that. I will say, however, that if McIlroy and others are so concerned about this “money grab”, then why are they pushing for so much more money for their own pockets? Does he need the extra millions from the PIP that could easily be donated to the charitable causes the tour helps? Hard to listen to someone criticize the greed of others while they are working to line their pockets more.
GMatt
Aug 25, 2022 at 9:53 am
You hit the nail on the head, what I want to know is where is all this money coming from? If the PGA tour is truly a 503c entity then will the money come from present salaries, charitable donations, increased sponsorship fees?
Just like the present economy, the money has to come from somewhere, they can’t match the ? from the Saudi’s so is the PGATS now unsustainable?
Jack
Aug 25, 2022 at 1:41 am
Just a minor point, they can’t have the Top players competing if 30 percent of them play on the LIV tour. This is a watered-down tour trying to match LIV. The PGAT tried hard to discredit LIV and the players that departed for LIV. The PGAT failed in every way imaginable and now are left scrambling and pushing lame limited field events.
dat
Aug 24, 2022 at 10:28 pm
Flop here, not really advancing the game or tour at all.
Paul
Aug 24, 2022 at 9:29 pm
Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free. The love of money is the root of all evil. Beware and bow in prayer for forgiveness before the Lord. A once pure game is tainted even more. Repent of your sins and be baptised and you shall be saved. This is why no one plays a 1 iron anymore.
Michael
Aug 24, 2022 at 8:22 pm
Did the PGA tour just rob a bank or hit the lottery? Where’s all this extra money coming from, lesser %’s to charity?
For me, the average golf TV watcher, I do see pluses. Yes, there e/b top-tier & lower tier events. And some lower tier events will not have much star power. But that’s the way professional sports are going anyway. It’s definitely a factor of the rich getting richer but it’s good to see some compensation for everybody on the tour as it may give new guys a bit more time to develop into stars.
I’m glad to see PGA tour commissioner Tiger Woods come out with all this stuff. Ugh, you seriously think Jay Monahan has this was influence? He’s been overmatchef & outplayed since LIV started. Finally had to bring in the big dog to lay down the law & implement some changes.
Tom K.
Aug 24, 2022 at 5:54 pm
The Greg Norman lit a fire under Jay “Klaus Schwab” Monahan.
Roy
Aug 24, 2022 at 4:22 pm
So basically now the PGA tour is a 17 event tour. All the other lower tier events will exist for players to try and qualify for this tour…..
Roy
Aug 24, 2022 at 3:16 pm
SO basically you will have 17 events on the PGA tour. The remaining events on the PGA Tour 2nd Tier will be used to try and qualify for “the worlds greatest tour”
Jolter
Aug 24, 2022 at 2:26 pm
So the rich get richer while the players who actually make up the Tour for all the other events get the shaft. For saying they can’t compete with the money, it sure looks like that is what they are doing. This reactionary philosophy could be the downfall of the PGA Tour as we know it.
GMatt
Aug 24, 2022 at 12:41 pm
Seems as though Jay Boy is scared sh!fleas from LIV and is trying to prevent his top talent from leaving. Problem is the “secondary talent” players aren’t getting squat and it’s giving new Korn Ferry grads an eye opening as to whether to join the PGA Tour and struggle to cover expenses or take whatever offers they may get from Norman. I think Monaghan royally miscalculated and is hedging the future
Sam
Aug 24, 2022 at 12:25 pm
Isn’t this precisely why Phil Mickelson joined LIV originally? To leverage the PGA tour into change. It would seem Phil got them to do exactly what he wanted them to ultimately.
Chris
Aug 25, 2022 at 6:48 am
Exactly. Phil Mickelson was correct all along. The players owe him a debt of gratitude at a minimum. I still see very little change for the bottom players who deserve better compensation.
DG
Aug 24, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Monahan and McIlroy are jokes to use words like “integrity”. Where did all this newfound money for te PGA Tour come from? Monahan has obviously been asleep at the wheel. He makes over $4M per year and needs to be replaced. McIlroy needs to now apologize and recognize the martyrdom of Norman and the LIV players and thank them for having the guts to stand up to the PGA Tour. The abuse and vilification they’ve absorbed has enriched all of the cowardly and/or stupid PGA Tour players. I think it should now be obvious that McIlroy is a money-grubbing hypocrite. Now, fire, Monahan and have the new commissioner welcome the LIV players back.
Kelly
Aug 24, 2022 at 11:26 am
All the PGA talks about is money and looking after the elite players. No different that the LIV tour. I like the big start fields of well over a 100 players. I enjoy watching a Monday qualifier play well. All it seems you are doing is making the rich get richer and the average PGA pro or Horn Ferry Pro have a tougher time to make a living. It seems the PGA only wants to look after the top players. So much for Jay’s put down of the LIV tour. Yes money is the be all and end all for these guys.
Paulo
Aug 24, 2022 at 10:29 am
Too little too late. They need to be proactive not reactive