Anonymous ex-board member makes startling claim about PGA Tour x PIF deal - "LIV has actually helped all the players"
A golf commentator recently shared that he ran into a former PGA Tour board member. Their conversation, naturally, shifted to the pending LIV Golf merger. Bob Ball, the commentator, said that he was all in on LIV from the very beginning, and wondered why everyone had reacted with such animosity.
As their conversation continued, the ex-board member, who remains anonymous, eventually shared some interesting notes. First and foremost, he indicated that LIV has actually been better for the sport than anyone on that side of the debate had expected.
The Tour has been forced to add more money to their prize purses to compete with LIV's financial benefit. That seemingly proved to be good for players who stayed put:
“LIV has actually helped all the players, on the PGA Tour as well, because it forced changes and they are making more money.”
The ex-board member also added that LIV has been really good to the players who defected:
“LIV has been great for the players that went to LIV because they get guaranteed money.”
But of course, the initial reaction was supposedly frustration. Most on the Tour side were upset with LIV according to the ex-board member, and for seemingly good reason:
“Look, they’re competition and they took our product. For the PGA tour, the players are our product and the value of the enterprise.”
Now, things are beginning to shift. The merger, while still pending for over a year, will dramatically change how LIV and the PGA Tour function. Golf as a whole will never be the same, but it also likely won't have the deep divide it once had thanks to LIV's arrival. The former board member's attitude may symbolize how most people will feel in the future.
PGA Tour board member acknowledges the benefit of LIV Golf
For a lot of golfers, there comes a time when they can't quite keep up. Those who are on the older side but not at retirement age have a difficult time winning against stars like Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, and Ludvig Aberg.
While they can't make it to the Champions Tour yet, LIV is an alternative that some have already tried. The anonymous PGA Tour board member admitted that golfers over 35 who are finding wins harder and harder to come by ought to give LIV some consideration.
Of course, they're still talented enough to win sometimes, but the field is less stacked on LIV Golf and there's more money to be had. Until they reach the Senior Tour, the Saudi-backed circuit provides them a chance to win and make money without having to struggle so hard.
The board member and Ball spoke about a few players they believe should have a defection on their radar: Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas, and Rickie Fowler.