Why has the PGA Tour changed their schedule and what could it mean for non-designated events? | Golf News

Andrew Coltart thinks that the changes on the PGA Tour for this year have been very good, but the question of whether the proposed ‘no cut,’ the limited field may be a very unnecessary step.

I believe in the meritocracy system, so I think the person who wins the PGA Tour card should ask to play the tour and not just part of it. You’ve earned the right to play in the ‘Premier League’ of golf, haven’t you?

In the face of stiff competition, the PGA Tour has completed these high-profile events so far, with the WM Phoenix Open, Genesis Invitational and now the Arnold Palmer Invitational providing some of the best and most impressive with the strongest fields we’ve ever seen. outside the major.

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After the announcement of some ‘radical’ changes to the PGA Tour last week, Rory McIlroy, James Day and Billy Horschel reacted and discussed the reduction of the field in some events.

It’s best to play together and it happens more often. Interest is at its peak. Job done! Now, new proposals have been submitted: reduced fields and No Cut. They are interesting to say the least, but are they really necessary?

There are a lot of things to consider when making this change for 2024, especially since there are so many exempt and eligible players. There are over 200 eligible players for a field of around 144, so it’s definitely time to whittle down that number. Otherwise, players simply won’t get a chance to play.

I worry that the promoter of the non-designated tournament, where the strength of the field and the world ranking points offer drops from the cliff, can choose to invest elsewhere. If you can’t get the big names on your show, will you ever get the money you want?

There is a big market out there and of course the big players don’t play small events by choice. Of course, if that happens, then the chance to play for what some consider to be a ‘well run’ will be affected as it may limit their ascension to that upper echelon. I realize the business is not built on this individual, but the top players always climb that ladder.

The proposal of an uncut system is also interesting. We had this with the World Golf Championship, which is now gone. Cuts, whether making or losing, play a big part in our game, because they increase the danger and bring the game closer to real life.

Cuts mimic the struggle of holding a job and where the real pressure lies. Missing pieces is just horrible, but it makes you play more and harder. You must enter another event because the missed cut will lose you points and financial ground. The only way to get it back is to play additional events, so that must be a good thing right?

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One of the highlights of the golfing calendar takes place this month at The Players, with hourly coverage from TPC Sawgrass live on Sky Sports.

Also getting paid to do a bad job, in my mind at least, promotes growth or improvement. There are clear examples now and you don’t have to look too hard. It does not happen at the bottom of the argument, where it is necessary, so what should happen to the boys at the top where they will not miss a few thousand here or there?

They’ve got that right and I agree with some of them, but by giving them points and pounds when they underperform, you’re slowing down the natural evolution of the game, possibly preventing future progress.

We have been around the WGC and it seems to give some players who are struggling with the game in the grace moment of the year to sort out the form. A luxury ill-given to those who can not participate in the ‘no cut’ event.

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Jon Rahm says he doesn’t need the world No 1 ranking to validate his performance after returning to the top spot after winning the Genesis Invitational.

Having a cut and close to full field event helps bring new names to the game. It helps the game stay vibrant and fit the growth narrative. Should they implement this new change? I’m not sure we can get over what we just witnessed.

How does it compare to the DP World Tour?

I looked at the DP World Tour, where we had an event that was elevated status to try to try and attract more players to come and play. The idea is that it will financially lift all the other events around it, but that would only happen in a perfect world.

Arguably that means the majority of our players are playing with less money and world ranking points. Smaller events are not supported by our stars and the events are reduced, in the only way that the stars can play often by hosting events. It gives a lot of publicity and gives a public platform that gives back to the game.

DP World Tour is potentially under threat before the strategic alliance with the PGA Tour and they need to get a lot of heads together to try and understand things, although you obviously won’t please everyone.

There are many people out there who think they know a lot of things, players and caddies alike, who know absolutely nothing at all. It’s a very, very uncertain time for the game in general and the DP World Tour doesn’t have the luxury of the PGA Tour, so they do what they have to do to survive.

Both Tours have a relationship going on for 40 plus years at least, and it’s a great opportunity to work even closer and give access to more DP World Tour members to unlock the rewards available to top class touring professionals.

There is a suggestion that Europeans are too comfortable at home, where they try America but don’t work hard enough to stay, but I don’t buy it. The European players have had some time to adapt to all the changes when they moved there, because the lifestyle is very different and they don’t have the family feeling on the DP World Tour.

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There’s plenty of action to catch on Sky Sports Golf in 2023, with majors, the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and more!

There are more friendships in Europe, which is the benefit of the new Ryder Cup. Crossing the pond can be lonely, as time away from friends and family often takes its toll. That’s why some players have struggled to find a foothold on US soil.

There are now some very good opportunities for DP World Tour players to play a more global schedule through this strategic alliance and the route to the PGA Tour should be the target.

Watch the Players throughout the week live on Sky Sports. Live coverage begins on Tuesday with a ‘Live from The Players’ show at 2pm, while the opening round is on Thursday from 11.30am on Sky Sports Golf!