LIV Golf Did Exactly What It’s Supposed to Do, and the PGA TOUR is Scrambling to Fix It

When LIV Golf became a true competitor in the world of golf several years ago, nobody thought it would be a long-lasting, disruptive, and competitive alternative to the almighty PGA TOUR. 

Three seasons later, that’s exactly what it has done — exposed the PGA TOUR for what it is: an outdated product in need of some serious updating and potentially new leadership. 

The truth is, LIV Golf did exactly what it was supposed to do.

Yesterday’s press conference proved that the TOUR is truly no better off than it was three years ago. In fact, it’s worse. Over a year after scrambling and rushing to announce a merger with the PIF, betraying the loyal players that remained with it despite being offered hundreds of millions from LIV, there is no progress, no transparency, and no true indication that the division in golf is over.

People can act like LIV Golf is some ridiculous, “exhibition” golf event but it did exactly what it was supposed to do — disrupt the PGA TOUR and cause reform in professional golf.

This morning’s presser with Monahan shows the TOUR is in perhaps worse shape than ever

— Joey Klender (@KlenderJoey) August 28, 2024

PGA TOUR Commissioner Jay Monahan’s entire press conference yesterday could have been summed up in a few words: disappointing. As golf fans, we look forward to four weekends a year, and they are all dependent on the best golfers from both the TOUR and LIV coming together to play the Major Championships. 

Toward the end of his presser, Monahan said that despite reports that viewership is down, the Nielsen ratings system, which tracks viewership metrics, is set to adjust how it reports figures. He suggested that it could lead to a “double-digit” increase in PGA TOUR viewership.

With LIV’s viewership also weak, what could be a better solution than to bring all the players together?

Let’s be honest. We all love watching Scottie Scheffler’s magnificent run on TOUR. We all love watching Rory McIlroy bomb drives and occasionally make a run at another TOUR victory. We all love seeing the up-and-comers, the Sahtith Theegalas, the Ludvig Åbergs, and the Tom Kims chase after the big names on TOUR.

But we love it when Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, and even Dustin Johnson (when he gives a damn) play against these same guys. We don’t get it anymore. 

Viewership could be solved with one simple stroke of the pen that would bring golf back together. I don’t mean to lay this all on the TOUR or Monahan. Obviously, the PIF needs to oblige as well. But does it seem reasonable that we are 15 months past the initial PGA TOUR-PIF merger and truly nothing has gotten any better? Does it seem fair that the primes of some players who will be recognized as the game’s all-time best are wasting their primes playing on separate tours?

Regarding Tour/PIF negotiations, Monahan says:

“Have not agreed to a deadline. I don’t think we want to restrict ourselves in that way.”

Yasir and Jay went on television on June 6 and said the deadline for this thing was December 31, 2023.

— No Laying Up (@NoLayingUp) August 28, 2024

Let’s put it this way: nobody would want Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson playing in different leagues, playing the same game. Nobody would want Sauce Gardner defending anyone but Justin Jefferson. Imagine if these players were playing the same sport, but one was in the NFL and the other was in the USAFL (a league I made up).

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan: No Deadline Set for Potential PIF Deal

The point is that the game of golf needs unification and by any means necessary. This entire thing, terms of LIV player's re-entry, how LIV contracts will be handled, how the game will grow in terms of viewership, and many other unanswered questions, could truly be ironed out in the span of three months. I am sure I am being naive; I don't know 1 percent of what goes on in those meetings.

But for the game of golf's sake, bringing things back together should be done at any cost, especially as the offseason is upon us.

One thing is for sure, the PGA TOUR needs LIV Golfers back. LIV showed where this TOUR is weak, and it's weak at its leadership and its process.

Cover Image via Yahoo Sports