The PGA Tour announced the 2022-23 season schedule on Monday. It also announced an increase in prize money to $415 million (A$591).
The increase came amid a growing challenge from the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series. The rival tour offers the highest purses in sports history, drawing well-known golf players from the PGA. The number of events held by LIV Golf will also be increased, from eight events in 2022 to 14 in 2023.
PGA commissioner Jay Monahan said that the US PGA decided to tighten its playoffs and boost select purses based on suggestions from fans.
“The overwhelming sentiment was they wanted more consequences for both the regular season and the playoffs and to further strengthen events that traditionally feature top players competing head-to-head,” Monahan said. “We feel strongly we’ve accomplished all of these objectives.”
A total of eight invitational tournaments have their purses boosted. These include the Players Championship, which will distribute $25 million (A$35.6 million) among its champions. It will also offer $145 million (A$206 million) in bonus money.
Another tournament with an increased prize pool is the FedEx Cup playoffs at $75 million (A$107 million). This tournament will also trim the number of players from 125 to 70.
The January Tournament of Champions will increase its purse from $12 million to $21 million by next year. Meanwhile, the Genesis Invitational will have its prize money increased from $17 million to $28 million. The tournament will be hosted by Tiger Woods in February,
The PGA is slated to have 47 tournaments in the 2022-23 season, which include three playoff events next August. When the season ends in late 2023, there will be events for those outside the top 70 to earn a spot in the 2024 PGA campaign and a series of international events, which will feature the PGA’s top 50 players in a limited field, no-cut format.
Calls to boycott LIV Golf
LIV Golf has drawn protests due to human rights issues in Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, several big-name players such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, and others have left PGA Tour in favor of LIV Golf.
During an interview with Sports Illustrated, 1997 PGA Championship winner David Love suggested boycotting LIV Golf.
“Well, here’s the biggest lever; and it’s not the nice lever,’’ Love said. “But if a group of veterans and a group of top current players align with 150 guys on the Tour, and we say, ‘Guess what? We’re not playing,’ that solves it, right? If LIV guys play in the U.S. Open, we’re not playing. If they sue in court, and they win, well, we’re not playing. You know, there won’t be a U.S. Open. It’s just like a baseball strike.’’
Love also said that he tried convincing golfers not to leave the PGA. He said he reminded them they would not be able to participate in the Presidents’ Cup or Ryder Cup again.
“Some of them understood it. Some of them think they are going to court or whatever and are going to prevail, and they’re gonna get to come back,” he said. “What they don’t seem to understand is that players make the rules. So we can strengthen the rules rather than loosening the rules, right?”