PGL: What Could A World Tour Schedule Look Like?

Short of the PGA Tour and European Tour merging their lucrative World Golf Championships and Rolex Series events, and shedding ten events each to free up more money, the two major tours will continue to face wild swings in field quality. That’s because a year-round structure forces players to decide when to take breaks and when to use the Tour’s as springboards.

As Rory McIlroy alluded to down at Torrey Pines, the World Golf Group has seized on many vulnerabilities in the current models. One of those weaknesses: bloated schedules and excessive TV money distribution for lesser events.

While any schedule is fluid, scheduling has been one significant appeal of the Premier Golf League. Granted, putting something down on paper is one thing, actually lining things up in the way of quality venues and good fits with major sites, is an entirely different beast.

Here, as of a year ago according to my sources, was a proposed Premier schedule working around what they called the “sanctity” of the men’s major championships.

Again, as I originally reported, the dreams of an 18-event slate out of the chute seems less likely than ten events. But for the sake of pondering how this proposed Tour could succeed or force the current tours to rethink things, this is probably how most would draw up a world tour schedule.

How The Premier Golf League's Team Component Works And Who Might Be The Founding 12 Player-Owners

Outside of the major championships, “Cup” events are undoubtedly golf’s most exciting. Whether the Walker, Solheim, Ryder or Presidents Cup, they never seem to fail to prove entertaining even when not very close (which is often). The kids today are loving the PGA Junior League, team sports are cooler than individual pursuits and even tennis is looking back to a re-imagined team concept to liven up their non-major season.

With those factors in mind, and needing a massive financial hook to lure top players who feel underpaid, the Premier Golf League poses an existential threat to professional golf in many ways. The proposed team element may just be its greatest strength in making the case for re-imagining a stagnant professional game.

As I reported exclusively here, major dollar figures have been floated for franchise valuation down the road ($350 million to $750 million by year seven). So as the group continues to make their case behind the scenes in hopes of starting this tour in 2022, here is some background beyond the plans for 54-hole individual stroke play events.

—Modeled after Formula One’s concurrent individual and team formats, a season-long points race leads to an individual bonus payout and determines team seeding at the final event

—Featuring 3 days of match play, all 12 teams of 4 players each vie for a $50 million purse. (This is on top of the 17 prior events playing for $10 million each week, plus appearance fees each week based on a ranking system. However, I still do not see the initial season lasting more than ten events if it hopes to lure most of the names below, but we’ll see.)

—Two scores from the four teams would count each day during the season. Those points build the team’s place in standings, and eventually leads to seedings where the top four will receive a vital playoff first round bye.

—The team element hopes to deliver a “cohesive season narrative” according to the documents I saw, aiming to engender “greater passion, rivalry and spirit between the players” along with greater fan allegiance and tribal engagement.”

—Get ready buggy drivers and assistants! “Team Managers will represent their teams on and off the course and determining which of the team’s two players each day count toward the world championship performance.”

—The changes in lineups each day, along with the season-ending mini-Ryder Cup format where managers will be making tough-love decisions, makes for the “richest possible media content and entertainment value both on and off the course in terms of news, politics, gossip, strategy tactics and selections (fantasy sport brought to life).” This just in: McIlroy team manager Paul McGinley has moved from EZGO to Club Car in a new three year deal after a weak battery cost him a chance to make a last minute lineup change, etc...

—While not stated in documents, one would presume these dramatics would eventually extend to the proposed feeder tour possibilities, including managers and owners potentially sending someone down or elevating a player clearly ready for the Premier Golf League.

—The emphasis on team maximizes value for team owners, with assorted licensing and merchandising options. Team names to be determined, team colors will be encouraged and are likely to weave in team owner sponsors. Among the names owners are permitted to use: Marshals, Lancers, Wolfhounds, Regulators, Stingers, Reapers and even some familiar names like Patriots, Warriors, Chargers, Vikings and Blackhawks.

—In each round of the playoffs, there will be two rounds of singles and one of foursomes. The plan is for single elimination, creating a round one, a quarterfinals, semi-final’s and finals. That’s potentially a huge amount of golf for the teams starting with round one. Documents suggest “greensomes” may replace foursomes where both players hit drives, a lesser form of alternate shot but a more fan-friendly one.

And now for the $350 million question, who might be the twelve players targeted as a player-owner offered the chance to purchase a team maximum of 75% (documents use the word purchase, but I was not privy to what this would actually entail for players. Presumably there will not be a high price since they hope to lure players away from major Tours. Or perhaps players will be able to join forces with a rich friend?).

Nearly 18 months ago, the list of prospective player owners included some whose games have severely fluctuated since then (Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Francesco Molinari, etc…), making the decision to offer players these roles possibly the most challenging aspect for the league founders.

Based on the initial list I saw and the description of players to be selected as based on “global profile, personality, marketability and playing potential and/or record,” here would be the most likely candidates. Oh, and don’t rule out an elder statesman, great talker or overall personality like Ernie Els, Padraig Harrington or Ian Poulter to enter the equation. (Els said last week he “loved” the idea.)

Anyway, here’s my best guest at their league’s ideal founding set of player-owners:

Rickie Fowler
Dustin Johnson
Brooks Koepka
Hideki Matsuyama
Rory McIlroy
Phil Mickelson
Jon Rahm
Justin Rose
Adam Scott
Henrik Stenson
Justin Thomas
Tiger Woods

While this is all bound to change and more names will enter if the above decline the option, these “elites” face a complicated decision that must factor in the stage of the career, the thinking of others and the desire to take on a responsibility beyond managing their game.

All but Fowler and Stenson are playing this week at Riviera.

Norman On Premier League: "The whole idea of owning a team is something I wish I’d thought about in my concept.”

Yes, he takes his shirt off way too often for a grown man and sees himself as the living brand. He’s also not good with a hedge trimmer in his hand.

But one thing I’ve heard repeatedly upon news of a hostile world tour concept surfacing: Greg Norman was ahead of his time. And we all know Tim Finchem took those ideas in the early 1990s, maybe outplayed Norman, and the PGA Tour adapted with the World Golf Championships.

But as the World Golf Group pushes an individual and team concept, fans and media are trying to wrap their heads around what it all means. Golf.com’s James Colgan talked to Greg Norman after the Shark’s recent trip to Saudi Arabia where he praised the concept but was light on what exactly he saw as smart about the Premier Golf League.

Turns out, he’s been briefed and likes it way more than he initially let on. Some of the quotes from Colgan’s story will not go over well parts of northern Florida.

“Why would they rule it out when you actually look at the financials?” Norman asked. “If you’re a player, my gosh, you’re a professional, so you play golf for a living to make money. When you see the compelling numbers that are in front of these guys, you wonder: how could you not pay attention?”

And so far, not one player of note has been able to completely rule out the proposals as worth considering.

As for the notion of 12 founding team owners who get to enjoy an investment (or sell it) after their playing days?

“The whole concept of owning a team, I think that’s brilliant,” he said. “So, as you fade away as a top player, you still own a team, like Formula 1. The whole idea of owning a team is something I wish I’d thought about in my concept.”

When you get the Shark admitting he hadn’t thought of something, you know you’re onto something.

There is also this comment related to the focus on the must-have stars and the need for this to work now, or never.

“I’m not talking about the players very much, and that’s because, if the concept is right, the players will always be there,” he said. “These guys are pass-through entities. The Tiger Woods’ of the world, the Rory McIlroy’s, the Koepka’s, the Dustin Johnson’s. These guys are eventually going to move on in time. But the concept is not.”

He also mentioned this about the primary funders, the Raine Group.

“There are smart people behind this. The Raine Group, they’re Wall Street geniuses,” Norman said. “They’re not doing this to give away money, they’re doing this to get a return on their investment.”

State Of The Game 102: The Show We Never Thought We'd Have; The First Cut With Kyle Porter

Pods!

So much to talk about and so many fun people to talk to in these wacky times, starting with a special State of the the Game where I promise we technophobic, Golden Age architect cultists don’t gloat too much about this week’s distance announcement. The show page.

And I spoke to The First Cut/CBSSports.com’s Kyle Porter about the distance report and the Premier Golf League story. Hit the link above, or play below, or just go and subscribe already!

Agent On Current PGA Tour Structure: "Tiger Woods can sell a million dollars' worth of tickets...and he has to shoot scores to get paid"

Bob Harig of ESPN.com provides an “everything you need to know about the league trying to challenge the PGA Tour” perspective. Of note, he focuses in on the building sense that top players and their agents see the stars in golf as severely underpaid, something the Premier Golf League appears to have tapped into.

Said an agent who wished not to be identified: "How can an organization negotiate hundreds of millions of dollars of TV contracts and someone like Tiger or Rory goes out and has the same chance of making the same money as some guy who has come off the Korn Ferry Tour? There is no arbitration panel. And no judge would say that is a fair economic model."

Right or wrong, that has always been a successful model of the PGA Tour. Golf fans have enjoyed the democratic nature of the sport, including the occasional unknown taking down a star. In return, the star has benefited from the opportunity to play via endorsement income that the Tour does not see one penny of after giving them a platform.

But in recent years a few things have changed. The schedule is now year-round and the stars are increasingly asked to tee it up more, including “playoffs” after major season when they would like to be recharging their batteries. The top players are called up every year to play a Cup event. In return? A small donation to their pet cause and free merch they’ll never wear again.

With this added “inventory,” the sense of obligation to play has swollen to untenable levels in the eyes of the elite. Which is how we’ve gotten to this messy place where the Premier Golf League can come along and look attractive to top players by countering the current model.

Golf Saudi CEO Confirms Interest In Premier Golf League, Past Discussions With PGA Tour

Martin Dempster reports from the first ever Saudi Golf Summit in King Abdullah Economic City where CEO Majed Al Sorour revealed several intriguing nuggets.

After just wrapping up the hosting of the European Tour, the CEO suggested a second Euro event is on the agenda as are hopes for visits from the Asian Tour, the LPGA Tour and even the PGA Tour where discussions involved a World Cup.

"We have the Ladies European Tour and they merged together with the LPGA, so hopefully we get to the point where we have an LPGA event.

"And, of course, we’d love to have a PGA Tour event. One and a half years ago, I sat with Ty [Votaw, the PGA Tour's chief marketing officer) and had a great conversation on having an idea of putting a PGA Tour event in Saudi Arabia.

"One of the things that we also want to discuss with him is a World Cup and how we’re going to do that in Saudi Arabia, if that’s possible."

You may recall it was just last week that PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan emailed players about the hostile Tour siphoning players away and highlighted that funding was coming from Saudi Arabia, home to public beheadings, among other human rights violations. A more cynical person than I might suspect he was suggesting the money was, uh, not clean.

As for rumored backing of the Premier Golf League from the Crown Prince and his Kingdom-backed Golf Saudi, Al Sorour sounds excited.

“We can address it in multiple ways," he said. "Is it good for the game or not? This is what we’re thinking. If something is good for the game, we should just listen to the people who are leading it, sit down with the PGA Tour if the time permits.

"We’re just here to listen. We love the game and our love for the game will do whatever it takes to make the game great."

That is, if the time permits.

If the CEO were to speak to Monahan this week, he’d have to do it in between rounds of the AT&T National Pro-Am where the Commish is taking a working vacation.

Greg Norman On Proposed World Tour: "I saw it 25 years ago, but maybe the time is right now"

Few refute that Greg Norman’s vision for a world tour was shrewd, but as he noted in comments Sunday, he did not have all of the pieces of the pie aligned.

This makes Norman’s suggestion that the World Golf Group’s proposed tour having “more legs” eye-opening. (That Norman is not involved but still complimenting the idea is notable. Then again he knew who his hosts were in Saudi Arabia, rumored investors in the league.)

From The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster, reporting on the Golf Saudi Summit in King Abdullah Economic City.

"It’s just a matter of getting all the right components together, whether players stay together," said the 64-year-old as he reflected on his own bid, which he tried to push through at a time when he was the world No 1.

"With my original concept, some players loved it and others didn’t like it. I had corporate, I had television, but you need 100 per cent of the pie to be together before we can bake it. From what I’m seeing here, this one has every chance of getting off the ground."

And this is particularly noteworthy given the sense players will not defect.

“Today is that way for sure now. Restraint of trade is not as prevalent - you can’t do it basically in this day and age - so that’s why this one probably has a little more legs.”

Premier Golf League: Gary Player Laments Greed Of Today's Players While Appearing At Saudi Golf Summit

Gary Player undoubtedly flew to Saudi Arabia for the Golf Saudi Summit hoping to better the game. Free of charge.

I also have no doubt that if Player were in his prime he’d have already denounced the idea of accepting massive up-front money to join the proposed Premier Golf League for the opportunity to make less money.

And of course there was some shock in seeing Player lament the proposed golf league, even though some of its funding is rumored to be coming from the same folks hosting the Golf Saudi Summit. (And Golf Saudi is part of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman sportswashing effort.)

From John McCauley’s report:

"I find a lot of greed in the sport now,” Player added. “When someone comes along like this, what do you do?

“Do you discard the PGA Tour where you've played all your life? Are you just going to say ‘to hell with you now?’ I don't like that. It is crazy to say you don't like money, but it's not as though they are struggling.

"I think Rory McIlroy made $23 million last year without even taking in his contracts. How much money do you want? Loyalty to me is very big."

Player did question the idea of a tour with just 48 players, though his suggestion of the current 125 PGA Tour card limit not being enough seems a stretch given ratings for events featuring non-top 100 types.

Player said: "I don't know all the intricacies, but I'd say it is not for me. It might happen, but it doesn't mean to say it is right. I hope it doesn't come to this as I don't want to see a tour with just 48 players.

"Why are we getting so selfish that it is down to 48 players? Next, some guy will come in and make it 20. What we have just now with 125 players is not enough."

Stenson: Proposed Premier Golf League "Both exciting and turbulent"

Because of his global status, Henrik Stenson might be a candidate for one of the 12 founding player-captain franchises in the proposed Premier Golf League. So like nearly all players queried, he could not shoot down the concept.

Stenson is quoted in a story by The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster reporting on a European Tour email to players:

“It was a bit of both, I’d say. Probably more towards stamping down that not. I obviously know what everybody else has seen and read and it seems to be both exciting and turbulent a little bit at the moment.

“It is still early. I don’t think everything has been put on the table from every person or entity involved. It depends on where you are coming from as well. We’ve got a lot of different angles – we’ve got fans, we’ve got sponsors, we’ve got TV viewers, we’ve got players, we’ve got promoters. We are all in this together and the best way going forward would be to try and find a solution where everyone can benefit.”

The final comments are noteworthy. Add Stenson to the list of players noting the need for a solution to problems we were not aware existed until this proposed tour came along.

Tiger Woods Might Have Good Reason To Jump To The Premier Golf League

There is widespread agreement that everything hinges on Tiger Woods.

The proposed Premier Golf League’s potential to steal players from other tours and form a new lucrative circuit could conceivably move forward with most of the world’s best and not Tiger. Alan Shipnuck made the case in his weekly mailbag.

AP’s Doug Ferguson says the World Golf Group’s proposal “doesn’t stand a chance” without Woods, and in making his case notes the many uncertainties of the largely secretive pitch, and this, regarding most pro golfers:

Among many challenges facing Premier Golf League is the robust health of the PGA Tour — increasing prize money, stable sponsorship, a new broadcast deal. That might make it tough for any player to risk membership, and to risk the appearance of turning its back on the tour that helped make them famous.

None of those factors mean a thing to Woods at this point of his career as he shifts to a limited schedule designed to protect his physical health. No one begrudges him for doing so, because his passion to win when he shows up remains impressively strong. But given the potential offerings for a Premier Golf League franchise owner and other perks as a founding owner in the league, he will have to entertain their offer.

In no particular order, reasons Tiger will be tempted to join the Premier Golf League:

—After win number 83, he only needs PGA Tour events as major champioship prep. Woods has reached the Hogan post-accident stage where another huge piece of history is around the corner with his 83rd win. That victory will set the new mark for most PGA Tour titles. But once secured, PGA Tour appearances are nothing but tune-ups for the major championships.

—The money could be insane. When news of a $15 million Players purse broke last week, the thinking in Ponte Vedre clearly was a show that money is flowing back into player coffers. But given the Premier Golf League’s plan, the value of their financial offerings could make even the Players purse look average. The PGL is floating of $10 million weekly purses split among 48 players instead of 65 or so making a PGA Tour cut. On top of the purse, a season long pool for individual and team competitions will be in play. Then there is a structured appearance fee concept based on world ranking just for the players to show up. And reportedly huge travel perks such as private jet flights covered by the league. Even then, should Tiger care about purses when…

—The money could be really insane for him. Holding all of the cards, Woods is expected to be offered substantial incentive to join the tour as a franchise founder. A lump sum payment north of $100,000,000 million seems like a good starting place, though I’d bet he gets more. His franchise will immediately be the most valuable should he ever decide to sell to a billionaire owner some day.

—Deal packaging could make him look insane if he says no. Major backers of this league can put together other elements to entice Woods: golf course design opportunities, expansion of his Foundation, hiring his TGR Live to run events, etc, etc... He may be looking at solidifying his post-career business in ways that only Michael Jordan and a few others can relate to.

—He could be convinced at ten events. While my reporting said the concept had been knocked down to ten events before the season ending championship, the PGL insists they are shooting for their original concept of 18. Woods will never play that many along with the majors. Maybe he negotiates a legend’s clause to only play a select number. However, common sense says he’s not alone. Ten events, the majors and two or three PGA Tour events (Genesis, Memorial, Bay Hill?) will be the maximum for Woods, with other elites wanting a similar schedule. And remember, there will be no more pleas to play the FedExCup playoffs, WGC’s in Memphis in July, and other cumbersome obligations at this stage of his career.

—The Hero World Challenge would be an ideal PGL stop. One other guaranteed Woods appearance each year: the 18-player Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas. While sanctioned by the PGA Tour, this could become a stop on the PGL circuit depending on various out clauses and other components to the event’s PGA Tour arrangement.

—A PR hit can be overcome. If Tiger were to flee for another tour, he can bank on a few things happening. Haters will say he’s bailing on the Tour that gave him an opportunity for a big check and they won’t be wrong. He can point out that Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer were key players in of overthrowing the PGA of America in the early sixties and they suffered no long term image damage. Fans will accept if Tiger makes such a move as long as they can still see him finish off his career in majors, in the Genesis and occasional Memorial, or when he plays the Premier Golf League. As long as their media platform does not overcharge for the privilege.

—The PGA Tour Brand Is Strong But… Within short time, if enough players defect, “The League” or the “PGL” could become synonymous with golf. A solid 99.5% of the sports viewing public cannot tell you the difference between the PGA Tour and the PGA of America. Or who runs what major events. While Woods could be seen as a deserter and the man who left the PGA Tour in the dust, memories fade faster than ever and as strong as the PGA Tour is, as profound as their charitable efforts are ($3 billion mark passed recently) and as beloved as many tournaments have become in their community, it’s not a dealkiller for Woods, and possibly Mickelson. Other players? Maybe.

Podcast: Talking New World Tour Possibilities With Hank Haney

We chatted about Torrey Pines week and the new world tour concept.

As always you can subscribe to The Hank Haney Podcast wherever pods are found, or listen below:

The Regionals: Premier Golf League Has A Feeder Tour Concept In Mind, Too

I recently mentioned on a podcast or two what I saw as one apparent gaping hole in the World Golf Group’s proposed Premier Golf League: where will the next stars come from? And where might players struggling in the league lland if they are not playing at an elite level?

Turns out, the group addressed this too.

Anyone can imagine forming a 12-team, 48 player league now that we’ve seen basic details. But golfers come and go. Games peak and deteriorate. It’s a cruel sport.

As we’ve seen in recent years, fans, marketers and the precious M’s are eager to see new talents break through.

The PGA Tour and European Tour, at their finest, showcase elite talents but prove just as satisfying when a journeyman makes a life changing run or a young player graduates to the winner’s circle.

The World Golf Group has actually addressed finding a place for 264 professionals. A well-placed source highlighted plans for “The Regional Series” to bring more players into the Premier Golf League equation.

The key points:

—Planned as a year-two concept following the establishment of the primary Premier Golf League. This means 2023, based on the current proposed timing.

—The “tiered feeder structure” plays under a “Global Series” format, featuring three tiers defined by region: America, Europe and Asia.

—It will provide “enhanced earning opportunities for the “leading 264 touring professionals” to “cater for and enfranchise the next layer of professional golfers and generate a coherent, compelling and correlated, multi- layered seasonal narrative." B-speak translation: feeder tours taking on the PGA Tour/Korn Ferry/Asian Tour/European Tour.

—The three regions will each create a winner and provide “guaranteed, exclusive access to the Premier Golf League.”

—The Premier Golf League intends to fill “any gap” in earnings compared to current standards on their respective tours, and offer this less-than-subtle jab: “although should such a situation arise it would suggest that the leading players are currently subsidizing the earnings of less well-known players on existing tours.”

—The PGL will pay a “subsistence fee” to cover travel and accommodation costs.

Obviously, there are still huge questions to answer about available venues, media interest and just how many players not invited to the initial Premier League would jump ship. But this does at least address how the organizers have envisioned the development of stars, or redevelopment of top talent.

Mitzvah Alert: Mickelson Plays Saudi Pro-Am With Premier Golf League Founders

The Scotsman’s Martin Dempster tells us the amazing coincidence of all amazing coincidences: Phil Mickelson was paired up in Saudi Arabia’s European Tour pro-am round with founders of the Saudi-backed Premier Golf League.

After playing with Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of the Saudi Golf Federation, Colin Neville, of The Raine Group, London financier Andrew Gardiner and one other man only identified as “Richard,” Dempster quotes Mickelson has fascinated by the league concept.

“It was fascinating to talk with them and ask some questions and see what their plans are. Where they started, how they started, why and just got their background, which was very interesting.

“I haven’t had the chance to put it all together and think about what I want to say about it publicly, but I do think it was an informative day for me to have the chance to spend time with them.”

Who says pro-am rounds are a waste of time!

PGA Tour Digs In To Ward Off "Team Golf Concept" With Threats

I’m picturing a quaint scene down in Ponte Vedra Beach. Former Commissioner Tim Finchem, his reddish-brown-blond hair having turned grey in retirement, sitting in a wicker chair, sipping vino as his replacement Jay Monahan stops by one afternoon. The mentor knows what’s up: Monahan needs advice on how to handle the Premier Golf League.

“How’re your girls?” Finchem asks.

“They’re smarter than I am,” Monahan says. “They would have seen that adding more and more tournaments, even if it meant begging Guy Boros to play despite being retired for ten years, was a terrible idea.”

“What about this Premier Golf League business?”

“I’ll handle it.”

“I never wanted this for you,” Finchem says, weepy. Now remember, ''Whoever comes to you with this Premier Golf League meeting, he's the traitor, don't forget that.”

If only the current predicament were so cinematic.

Actually, Monahan is maintaining the hard line approach his predecessor took against subversives, according to reporters who have seen the PGA Tour Commissioner’s email to players and first reported on yesterday: the PGL is a hostile bid and releases will not be granted.

Rex Hoggard quotes from the email to players in this GolfChannel.com item.

Although funding information for the Premier Golf League has been vague, Monahan’s letter references “funding from Saudi interests” and adds, “We understand that Team Golf Concept is focused on securing player commitments first as they have no sponsorship or media offerings or rights.”

At last week’s player meeting, Monahan outlined “significant increases in prize money and comprehensive earnings over the next decade [on the PGA Tour]” as a result of new media rights deals and other revenue streams. He also appeared to draw a tough line for any players who may be interested in the Premier Golf League.

“If the Team Golf Concept or another iteration of this structure becomes a reality in 2022 or at any time before or after, our members will have to decide whether they want to continue to be a member of the PGA Tour or play on a new series,” Monahan wrote.

Well ok then, no releases will be coming and once you go, there is no coming back.

Noteworthy: Monahan citing the PGL’s lack of media “offerings or rights” to the players, just as news of ESPN+’s PGA Tour deal would soon and magically get out. And this on top of early news of the Players purse increase soon after news of the hostile Premier league was revealed here.

Golf Gods work in mysterious ways!

But most incredible of all is Brian Wacker’s GolfDigest.com story about the release issue and Premier Golf League, where he quotes a Player Advisory Council member not seeing it happening. But it’s deep in the piece where a line that will make all sponsors, TV executives and non-top 50 players stop in their tracks.

And yet changes could be on the horizon. According to one source, Monahan had a conversation last week with McIlroy and Rickie Fowler about the potential new league, during which he expressed his concerns about the sustainability of the status quo for the PGA Tour in the long term.

As the tour has stockpiled events, built a wraparound schedule—despite warnings that it was oversaturating the product—and created playoffs doling out big cash and mediocre ratings, the Commissioner may be acknowledging the status quo is not sustainable on the cusp of signing new media deals to fund…the status quo.

Report: Monahan Tells Players Premier Golf League "Recently secured funding from Saudi interests"

My initial report on the World Golf Group’s proposal noted that Middle East money was part of the funding, but a release by the group in response sought to distance the effort from that. Instead, the Raine Group was suggested as the financing arm of the proposed Premier Golf League.

However, No Laying Up’s Tron Carter shared portions of a redacted version of an email sent to players by PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan vowing to enforce current regulations while noting the investment from Saudi Arabia. The email also suggests substantial guarantees for the 12 team owners that would make up the initial iteration of this competing tour.

Presumably, Monahan is highlighting the likelihood that the loathsome Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is involved, and that players would essentially be taking a form of dirty money. Certainly a huge consideration in all of these machinations.

And yet, as the European Tour returns to Saudi Arabia this week, it should be noted that several top PGA Tour members are playing thanks to releases from the PGA Tour.

Speaking of the Saudi event, Morning Read’s Dave Seanor considers the effort to “grow the game” this week and the issues arising from golf’s dance with the Kingdom.