Ryder Cup participant pay, largest PGA Tour change, Tour-PIF information: Tour Confidential

Test in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most popular matters within the sport, and be part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we focus on potential Ryder Cup participant stipends, the largest proposed PGA Tour change, the most recent PGA Tour-PIF developments and extra.

Pending approval by the PGA Tour Coverage Board, large modifications are coming to the Tour concerning membership, subject sizes, tempo of play, Monday qualifiers and extra. You possibly can learn concerning the proposed modifications right here (and a few burning questions right here), however what’s your tackle essentially the most vital growth, and are you in favor of it?

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): The most important information needs to be that the variety of full-status gamers will drop from 125 to 100. Briefly, it’s going to make it slightly extra particular to safe a PGA Tour card and strengthen that core group of members, however on the similar time it’s not like the blokes simply outdoors that line gained’t get any begins anyplace. Removed from it. I don’t thoughts the cutthroat nature.

Josh Sens, senior author, (@joshsens): That diminished variety of full-timers is certainly the one which jumps out first. However slicing again on Monday qualifiers additionally caught my eye. At first blush, it looks like an unlucky change, since who doesn’t love the Cinderella story of some unknown squeaking right into a event on the final minute and occurring to win? Factor is, the report exhibits that tales of that sort nearly by no means occur, that almost all Monday qualifiers wind up lacking the reduce or being non-factors. Backside line: actuality trumps romance. Ultimately, it looks like a smart change.

Alan Bastable, government editor (@alan_bastable): Yeah, little question the trimming of the full-status quantity is the headliner change; that sort of discount goes to be a giant deal to the overwhelming majority of gamers who need to scratch and claw for his or her livelihoods from season to season. When it comes to a logical change, shrinking subject sizes makes quite a lot of sense. Positive, we’ll lose out on a number of Cinderella winners, however getting rounds accomplished earlier than darkish needs to be a precedence. It’s wild that just about three out of each 10 rounds this season spilled into the next day — that’s not good both for gamers or followers. Principally, although, I discovered myself unmoved by these tweaks, none of which can make the Tour “product” considerably extra compelling. The Tour and gamers needs to be laser-focused on tips on how to enhance the TV viewing expertise, beginning with sinking a few of that surge in Tour funding into fewer business interruptions.

In keeping with a report from Golfweek, gamers and captains from the 2024 Presidents Cup had been allowed to do what they happy with their $250,000 stipend they acquired for taking part in within the occasion (in earlier years, gamers had been allowed to make use of these sums to donate to charities of their alternative). Golfweek reported subsequent yr’s Ryder Cup stipend might be an analogous format to the Presidents Cup. This information comes after the current uproar over an enormous uptick in Ryder Cup ticket costs. Given all this data, is it time to truly pay the gamers?

Berhow: I’d need to look again at my earlier stance right here, however I’m fairly positive I used to be towards paying gamers and thought it wasn’t an excessive amount of to ask millionaires to symbolize their nation as soon as each couple of years. However one thing concerning the elevated Ryder Cup ticket costs at a spot (Bethpage) that’s lengthy been praised for and happy with its accessibility and affordability has irked me. Pay the gamers.

Sens: In my splendid world, the PGA of America would use the proceeds to cowl simply the prices of working the occasion and provides all the opposite earnings to charity. And the rosters can be restricted to (already very wealthy) gamers who’re prepared to play for satisfaction and nation. However I do know that’s not how capitalism works.

Bastable: Gamers taking part in for nothing may need made sense within the early days of the Ryder Cup when groups crossed the Atlantic not by aircraft however by boat, however the instances they’re a-changin’. The occasion is now arguably the sport’s second largest spectacle behind the Masters, and a monetary windfall — to the tune of tens of thousands and thousands of {dollars} — for its organizing our bodies. If getting paid (even on precept) is essential to the gamers, then maybe it’s time to chop them a examine. Have a look at the Olympics, the place at least seven international locations pay out their gold medalists six-figure bonuses. Right here’s an thought: Ryder Cup groups might pay out their gamers on efficiency. Say, $50,000 for each level gained. Make ’em earn it.   

Amid golf’s continued divide, there was one other reported assembly final week between PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan. How vital is that this information within the curiosity of a deal being accomplished? A bit of? Or quite a bit?

Berhow: I’m tired of this. They’ve jets and may meet each time they need.

Sens: Phrase is that they had been simply buying and selling casserole recipes. I learn that on social media, so it have to be true. Come to consider it, possibly they need to attempt sharing a potluck meal. None of those different conferences appear to be main anyplace

Bastable: Proper. I feel we’re all at or effectively previous the purpose at which solely an official announcement concerning the PGA Tour and PIF’s path ahead collectively will get our consideration. Followers are annoyed, jaded, disenchanted. Even when a deal is hammered out and introduced, it’s going to take a very long time to re-engage these followers who’ve walked over the previous couple of years. I, for one, stay hopeful, although. There are too many good individuals within the room — and the stakes are far too excessive — to screw this up.

The tenth installment of TNT’s The Match gained’t contain any professional golfers, however as a substitute a set of eight actors, comedians and athletes. The Match: Superstars will function Invoice Murray, Mark Wahlberg, Charles Barkley, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Phelps, Nate Bargatze, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Blake Griffin. The occasion takes place on Nov. 21-22 at Breakers West Nation Membership in West Palm Seashore, Fla. Ideas on the brand new format/lineup?

Berhow: I’m going to shock myself right here and say I’m mildly on this (at the very least greater than different lineups). My gripe about The Match has all the time been that it’s troublesome for many of those golf stars to flick on that swap and turn into entertaining between the golf photographs, which is essential to good tv. However having some comedians (Murray, Bargatze) and characters (Sir Charles) and the inevitable squirrely photographs from amateurs means there is perhaps some enjoyable unpredictability to this.

Sens: Invoice Murray is nice. Charles Barkley might be humorous. However the entire thing sounds painfully contrived to me. Now, in case you received them altogether and let Nikki Glaser roast them on Comedy Central, I’d watch that.

Bastable: I’ve all the time felt A-list professionals carry a way of gravitas to The Match. To not point out stress. Keep in mind when Tom Brady appeared like a 25-handicapper within the 2020 version with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods? That was nice theater! You get the sense he wouldn’t have struggled so mightily with Blake Griffin and Nate Bargatze in tow as a substitute. This subsequent Match simply seems like a watered-down model of the American Century.

Comfortable Halloween (a number of days late)! What’s your favourite golfy Halloween costume you’ve stumbled upon over time?

Berhow: I’ve all the time been a fan of the healthful Masters caddie uniform, however one in every of my social feeds not too long ago confirmed a bunch of a couple of dozen guys — a participant, a caddie and followers within the gallery — stroll by means of neighborhoods hitting photographs like they had been taking part in Augusta. Love the dedication.

Sens: I really performed a post-work twilight spherical on Halloween this yr. I put quite a lot of work into the costume and confirmed up dressed like a golfer, nevertheless it was no use. The get-up fooled nobody.

Bastable: I’m nonetheless ready for somebody to determine tips on how to costume up because the scariest factor in golf: aerated greens.