When Has The PGA Tour Ever Done What is Best For Golf

During these fateful years since men's professional golf descended into a melodramatic soap opera with a geopolitical edge, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has rarely been out of the headlines, but his recent health-related absence would have offered a degree of respite from immediate scrutiny while his lieutenants were grilled under oath by the US Senate.

Now back at work, Monahan again raised eyebrows following the leak of a memo that was dispatched to players. It was a wide-ranging message to both stars and the rank-and-file membership, which included mention of a lucrative compensation fund to reward golfers who remained loyal to the circuit, in addition to the creation of a task force to determine the best pathway back into the family for those who joined LIV Golf.

However, if you are more than a little tired of hearing about this never-ending journey to make impossibly rich men even wealthier, one revelation from Monahan was considerably more intriguing.

Earlier this year, The R&A and USGA announced their proposals to rollback the golf ball for professional and elite amateur tournaments through the introduction of a Modified Local Rule that would combat the ongoing impact of continued distance gains.

Defying the governing bodies, Monahan confirmed that the PGA Tour would not support this change, writing: "As you know, we have spent the last two years undertaking a comprehensive analysis of distance on the PGA Tour and its impact. Although there has been some level of support for limiting future increases, there is widespread and significant belief the proposed Modified Local Rule is not warranted and is not in the best interest of the game. Following a discussion on the topic at a recent PAC (Player Advisory Council) meeting, we have notified the USGA and The R&A that while the PGA Tour is committed to collaborating with them - and all industry partners - to arrive at a solution that will best serve our players, our fans and the game at all levels, we are not able to support the MLR as proposed. As the formal feedback period to the USGA and the R&A comes to an end and this process evolves, I will be in touch with updates."

Some may read that statement and question just when the PGA Tour has truly acted in the best interests of the game.

Was it best for the sport when the PGA Tour's 12-month schedule effectively monopolised golf at the highest level and ensured that the biggest names would rarely venture outside the United States?

Was it in the best interests of golf when (for many years) each of the "World" Golf Championships were solely contested on American soil?

And was it best for golf when Monahan weaponised human rights and the grief of 9/11 families to combat the existential threat posed by LIV Golf, only then to hypocritically backtrack on that confessed morality to make a clandestine deal with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund that remains under investigation by the US Department of Justice?

(Image Credit: Kevin Diss Photography)

The PGA Tour has been an extraordinarily successful organisation. Its model has made hundreds of non-household names wealthy beyond their status. The charities associated with its tournaments raise commendable sums for meaningful causes. But recent events have shown that the tour first looks out for its own interests.

Some observers would argue that public opposition to LIV in reality had nothing to do with human rights or morality, but was singularly motivated by concern that the PGA Tour's established position as market leader was being threatened.

Ultmately, the tour was acting like any large business or powerful corporation would in the situation, but that is the fundamental difference between it and The R&A and USGA.

You can pick holes in the governing bodies, but their initial motivation is to genuinely put the best interests of the game first. That is their responsibility. Many disagree with the proposed Modified Local Rule - some even think it would be simpler and cleaner just to roll back the golf ball entirely for everyone, but the intentions are spot on.

Curbing distance would even make the PGA Tour's product more engaging. Think of the recent Scottish Open and the enthralling finish involving Rory McIlroy and Robert MacIntyre. It was only the breezy conditions in East Lothian that made the scenario possible, but consider just how thrilling it was to see these players hit longer clubs into a par 4, introducing jeopardy and allowing both the Northern Irishman and Scotsman to display just how multi-dimensional their skills are.

But this isn't just about making pro golf more interesting to watch or even to restore the integrity of classic courses. More pressing is the need to ensure that the game is environmentally sustainable for the future.

Golf courses have been extended and made longer, placing greater demand on land and resources. And it isn't only the layouts you see on TV - any venue that has a desire to host a professional or top amateur event has to stretch its boundaries well beyond anything that 99% of golfers will require in their own rounds.

Once again, the PGA Tour's stance appears to be less about the game and more about control. Can we even be certain who really calls the shots anymore? They have committed to engage with The R&A and USGA, but the signs aren't immediately encouraging. The hugely likable Tony Finau made a telling comment the other day: “Yeah, I would say the main thing is that the PGA Tour is taking a stand on the rollback of the golf ball. I think that that’s important, setting a precedent moving forward hopefully. You know, my opinion has always been that we should have our own rulebook on the PGA Tour and we should abide by those."

That's the crux of it - no rules laid out by those blazer-wearing amateurs, no oversight from elsewhere, not abiding by pesky regulations, the PGA Tour should establish its own standards for themselves. That's the direction we're heading in.

So, when you hear something from TOUR HQ in Ponte Vedra Beach about acting in the best interests of golf, it's probably wise to ignore the sentiment.

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