Tour Confidential: Ryder Cup player pay, biggest PGA Tour change, Tour-PIF news

Check in every week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the hottest topics in the sport, and join the conversation by tweeting us at @golf_com. This week, we discuss potential Ryder Cup player stipends, the biggest proposed PGA Tour change, the latest PGA Tour-PIF developments and more.

Pending approval by the PGA Tour Policy Board, big changes are coming to the Tour regarding membership, field sizes, pace of play, Monday qualifiers and more. You can read about the proposed changes here (and some burning questions here), but what’s your take on the most significant development, and are you in favor of it?

Josh Berhow, managing editor (@Josh_Berhow): The biggest news has to be that the number of full-status players will drop from 125 to 100. In short, it will make it a little more special to secure a PGA Tour card and strengthen that core group of members, but at the same time it’s not like the guys just outside that line won’t get any starts anywhere. Far from it. I don’t mind the cutthroat nature.

Josh Sens, senior writer, (@joshsens): That reduced number of full-timers is definitely the one that jumps out first. But cutting back on Monday qualifiers also caught my eye. At first blush, it seems like an unfortunate change, since who doesn’t love the Cinderella story of some unknown squeaking into a tournament at the last minute and going on to win? Thing is, the record shows that stories of that kind almost never happen, that most Monday qualifiers wind up missing the cut or being non-factors. Bottom line: reality trumps romance. In the end, it seems like a sensible change.

Alan Bastable, executive editor (@alan_bastable): Yeah, no doubt the trimming of the full-status number is the headliner change; that kind of reduction is going to be a big deal to the vast majority of players who have to scratch and claw for their livelihoods from season to season. In terms of a logical change, shrinking field sizes makes a lot of sense. Sure, we’ll lose out on a few Cinderella winners, but getting rounds completed before dark should be a priority. It’s wild that nearly three out of every 10 rounds this season spilled into the following day — that’s not good either for players or fans. Mostly, though, I found myself unmoved by these tweaks, none of which will make the Tour “product” significantly more compelling. The Tour and players should be laser-focused on how to improve the TV viewing experience, starting with sinking some of that surge in Tour investment into fewer commercial interruptions.

According to a report from Golfweek, players and captains from the 2024 Presidents Cup were allowed to do what they pleased with their $250,000 stipend they received for playing in the event (in previous years, players were allowed to use those sums to donate to charities of their choice). Golfweek reported next year’s Ryder Cup stipend could be a similar format to the Presidents Cup. This news comes after the recent uproar over a massive uptick in Ryder Cup ticket prices. Given all this information, is it time to actually pay the players?

Berhow: I’d have to look back at my previous stance here, but I’m pretty sure I was against paying players and thought it wasn’t too much to ask millionaires to represent their country once every couple of years. But something about the increased Ryder Cup ticket prices at a place (Bethpage) that’s long been praised for and proud of its accessibility and affordability has irked me. Pay the players.

Sens: In my ideal world, the PGA of America would use the proceeds to cover just the costs of running the event and give all the other profits to charity. And the rosters would be limited to (already very rich) players who are willing to play for pride and country. But I know that’s not how capitalism works.

Bastable: Players playing for nothing might have made sense in the early days of the Ryder Cup when teams crossed the Atlantic not by plane but by boat, but the times they are a-changin’. The event is now arguably the game’s second biggest spectacle behind the Masters, and a financial windfall — to the tune of tens of millions of dollars — for its organizing bodies. If getting paid (even on principle) is important to the players, then perhaps it’s time to cut them a check. Look at the Olympics, where no less than seven countries pay out their gold medalists six-figure bonuses. Here’s an idea: Ryder Cup teams could pay out their players on performance. Say, $50,000 for every point won. Make ’em earn it.   

Amid golf’s continued divide, there was another reported meeting last week between PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan. How significant is this news in the interest of a deal being completed? A little? Or a lot?

Berhow: I’m bored with this. They have jets and can meet whenever they want.

Sens: Word is they were just trading casserole recipes. I read that on social media, so it must be true. Come to think of it, maybe they should try sharing a potluck meal. None of these other meetings seem to be leading anywhere

Bastable: Right. I think we’re all at or well past the point at which only an official announcement about the PGA Tour and PIF’s path forward together will get our attention. Fans are frustrated, jaded, disenchanted. Even when a deal is hammered out and presented, it’s going to take a long time to re-engage those fans who have walked over the past couple of years. I, for one, remain hopeful, though. There are too many smart people in the room — and the stakes are far too high — to screw this up.

The 10th installment of TNT’s The Match won’t involve any pro golfers, but instead a collection of eight actors, comedians and athletes. The Match: Superstars will feature Bill Murray, Mark Wahlberg, Charles Barkley, Wayne Gretzky, Michael Phelps, Nate Bargatze, Ken Griffey, Jr. and Blake Griffin. The event takes place on Nov. 21-22 at Breakers West Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla. Thoughts on the new format/lineup?

Berhow: I’m going to shock myself here and say I’m mildly interested in this (at least more than other lineups). My gripe about The Match has always been that it’s difficult for most of these golf stars to flick on that switch and become entertaining between the golf shots, which is crucial to good television. But having some comedians (Murray, Bargatze) and characters (Sir Charles) and the inevitable squirrely shots from amateurs means there might be some fun unpredictability to this.

Sens: Bill Murray is great. Charles Barkley can be funny. But the whole thing sounds painfully contrived to me. Now, if you got them altogether and let Nikki Glaser roast them on Comedy Central, I’d watch that.

Bastable: I’ve always felt A-list pros bring a sense of gravitas to The Match. Not to mention pressure. Remember when Tom Brady looked like a 25-handicapper in the 2020 edition with Phil Mickelson and Tiger Woods? That was great theater! You get the sense he wouldn’t have struggled so mightily with Blake Griffin and Nate Bargatze in tow instead. This next Match just feels like a watered-down version of the American Century.

Happy Halloween (a few days late)! What’s your favorite golfy Halloween costume you’ve stumbled upon over the years?

Berhow: I’ve always been a fan of the wholesome Masters caddie uniform, but one of my social feeds recently showed a group of about a dozen guys — a player, a caddie and fans in the gallery — walk through neighborhoods hitting shots like they were playing Augusta. Love the commitment.

Sens: I actually played a post-work twilight round on Halloween this year. I put a lot of work into the costume and showed up dressed like a golfer, but it was no use. The get-up fooled no one.

Bastable: I’m still waiting for someone to figure out how to dress up as the scariest thing in golf: aerated greens.

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