The landscape of professional golf may be changing, and it may be happening soon.
It seems every time a mention is made of the Premier Golf League (PGL) – a breakaway World Tour funded by Saudi money â something seems to squelch it from happening.
Here comes the PGL again and this time they are hitting in the right spot to spur the interest of the golfers â the wallet.
The latest reports have the PGL offering players contracts of $30-to-$100 million to sign with the project. The group recently set up an office in the Jupiter area in Florida, the home of many PGA Tour players.
Some of the players mentioned as being offered contracts are Dustin Johnson, Justin Rose, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Henrik Stenson, Rickie Fowler, Adam Scott, and Phil Mickelson.
It has been rumored Mickelson has been offered $100 million to be in the figurehead role. He has also gone on the record to say he is giving it consideration because at the age of 51 it would be a healthy payout in the twilight of his career.
In addition to the obscene amount of money just to sign on with the league, the contracts will offer a share with their team. Each team leader would be joined by three other players in 48-player fields with what has been called âastronomicalâ purses in 18-worldwide events. The team leaders would have interest in their respective teams in addition to their share of prize money.
The PGL has planned a September of 2022 launch and have said to be pressing players for a commitment soon.
As you can imagine, the PGA Tour is not welcoming the PGL with open arms. Tuesday night at the players meeting at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan dropped the hammer on the players.
Monahan, who has spoken out against the PGL before, reminded the players they would face an instant suspension and a lifetime ban from the PGA Tour should they sign with the PGL.
That would also mean not being able to play in the Ryder Cup. In addition, it has been reported Augusta National would back the PGA Tour and support the ban meaning no Masters as well.
With the report that the PGL is asking for commitments as soon as possible, it could impact the Ryder Cup set for this September.
It is hard to believe the USGA and the PGA would not join in with the PGA Tour. Last year the European Tour said they had been approached by the PGL with what they said was a âvery compelling offer,â to link up. But Monahan acted quickly and purchased a $90 million stake in the media arm of the European Tour.
It is a lot of money, but there are plenty of players opposing the PGL. Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy are two such players that have voiced support for the PGA Tour.
Justin Thomas recently said he is perfectly happy with the way things are and is also a PGA Tour supporter. Donât overestimate the influence Tiger has even if he is not currently playing.
He moves the needle, and the players are very aware of that fact.
Monahan has also recently set up a $40 million âPlayer Impactâ for the PGA Tour that will reward players for the positive push of publicity in the media and through social media.
So, what happens with all this?
First off this is a money grab plain and simple. I can respect that some will listen to the offer â itâs just too much money not to a least look at the money on the table.
But, in the end I canât see the PGL coming to fruition. It is not going to work unless you get a minimum of two-thirds of the world top 30 players and you sure should hope you get all the top 10.
I donât see that happening and anything less than two-thirds of the top 30 players would de-legitimize the entire league.
Those that are at least entertaining the offers usually have some good, trusted advisors in their respective camps and I fully believe that no chance to play in the majors, as well as the Ryder Cup, would be too much to give up for the rest of their careers.
It is not like any of them are hurting financially right now. As far as competition, we already have the four majors, as well as the WGC events that bring together the best players in the world.
Most of the golfers are well schooled in their financial situations and this is why some are at least listening to offers. But they also know how big the risk-reward factor is when it comes to PGL.
The only golfer it makes sense for in my mind is Mickelson. Another $100 million at the age of 51 would certainly be nice. Then again, you know he would love to be a Ryder Cup Captain and that would disappear should he make the jump.
The PGA Tour is a powerful organization that is protective of its brand and will do what it needs to preserve the status quo of professional golf.
The PGL keeps saying the PGA Tour has no legal right to ban the players and there will be lawsuits if they try to enforce the suspensions and bans.
This will also hit a brick wall.
Playing on the PGA Tour is not a playerâs right but rather is something earned, and you must continue to earn the right to play on tour. Sue away but you just will be throwing money away.
Finally, the fans are not going to be pleased and never underestimate to the power of the fans. Take the recent attempt to launch a âsuper leagueâ in European soccer.
Not long after the announcement, fans started revolting and teams that were committed to the new league were being told they would be banished from big competitions.
The English teams started backing out and the remaining teams decided to suspend the operations of the new league.
Golf fans would react in a similar fashion. They rely on the yearly PGA Tour events in their area to see the top pros up close. Anyone that comes along and takes half the top players would by chastised.
I think the final straw for the players would be if they joined the PGL and took the money-grab, that would be their legacy â trying to destroy the PGA Tour just for money. Sure, there will be some supportive fans, but those would be the minority.
I think a lot of people donât realize how legitimate is this threat. I am concerned but I am also optimistic that cooler heads will prevail and the PGL gets banished and buried in the Saudi deserts.
By Dennis Miller