PGA implements changes for golfers in response to rival Saudi-funded LIV Golf Tour

The PGA Tour is implementing a plan for its golfers in response to the threat posed by its rival, the Saudi-funded LIV Golf which has lured away some of its members with colossal contracts.

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced that top players have committed to playing in at least 20 tournaments next year that will offer purses between 15 and 20 million dollars.

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These competitions encompass those that are already being held, including the four majors, the three FedEx Cup playoff events, the Players Championship, and the Arnold Palmer Invitational. The PGA will also require the golfers to play three regular Tour events.

Monahan says that they will soon announce four competitions with purses of $20 million apiece that will be considered elevated events.

PGA revises Player Impact Program

The PGA has also amended its Player Impact Program (PIP), which has been a system that determines the eligibility of some golfers to participate in its contests. The revised program will put more value on the athlete’s appearances on television and other media, as well as fan awareness, instead of social media.

PIP will offer a total of $100 million in 2023, twice the $50 million offered this year, for the top 20 players with the most impact on golf fans.

Assured income for members

The Association also formulated an Earnings Assurance Program which ensures that their members will receive salaries. Fully exempt members who sign up for at least 15 events will receive a $500,000 league-minimum salary. Non-exempt members will be given $5,000 every time they miss a cut.

These changes come in the wake of a members-only meeting headed by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy which was attended by 23 top players and took place after the BMW Championship last week. The meeting sought to solidify the ranks of the PGA in the face of its competition with the Saudi Arabia-financed LIV Golf Series.