As we approach the one-year anniversary of the surprise “framework agreement” between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf's financial backer, the Public Investment Fund, many golf fans are confused. Although the two sides appeared to have reached an agreement, rifts remain in the professional golf world. I recently received an email from a friend that said, “Why is the PGA letting his LIV players play in the Masters?” I replied that it would take about an hour to explain, so it would be better to discuss it directly.
But the purpose of this post is to help people like my (ignorant) friend. If this had been written back then, I might have just texted back the link. Because the PGA and the PGA Tour, what he meant, didn't let LIV golfers play in the Masters. The Masters, or Augusta National Golf Club, was making that decision. That's because Augusta National hosts the Masters.
However, the club does not hold any other professional events on the calendar, including the second (men's) major, the PGA Championship. And this event can also invite people, as Talor Gooch and several of his other LIV members did recently. It's also the time when the PGA (Professional Golf Association) vs. PGA Tour confusion is at its peak. So this he split up the two organizations in 1968, primarily touring pros Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus, who were, of course, given the media rights paid by the networks to broadcast the tournament. I was hoping for a bigger portion.
You don't need to know all of this for the quiz, but remember that the PGA (Club Pro) and the PGA Tour (Tour Pro) are two separate organizations. The quiz is a joke, but here's what else you need to know to keep golf's most powerful body straight.
You know it like this: We are a group of golf instructors who run the PGA Championship and Ryder Cup.
Distinguishing features: New headquarters in Frisco, Texas, giant PGA Championship winner's trophy, and slogans “Last Shot of Glory” and “This is MAJOR!” (Rest In Peace)
Harters says: “The PGA Championship should only count as a half major!”
you know that: That (men's) golf tour with the best players. (Again, the PGA Tour and the PGA are not the same organization; one is made up of the best golfers in the world.)The other is made up of the world's best golf instructors, who spend most of their time doing things other than golf. )
Distinguishing features: A season-long FedEx Cup Points Race with $25 million in prize money, The Players Championship, a new “signature” event offering a $20 million purse, and a marketing department that's more “living under par” than “they're good.” I thought that was a better slogan.
Harters says: “Money can't buy a major championship!”
You know it like this: A (women's) golf tour with the best players.
Distinguishing features: female golfer. No, but seriously, just like on the men's side, there is a division of opinion between the Tour Pros (LPGA Tour) and the Teaching Pros, but it's not as pronounced because everything is still under the jurisdiction of the LPGA.
Harters says: “They don't get the same TV ratings as men!”
You know it like this: This umbrella organization determines all golf rules for the United States and Mexico and administers national championships such as the U.S. Open.
Distinguishing features: Blue blazer, difficult course setup.
Harters says: “They ruin the U.S. Open more than they run it!” Also, “Why can amateurs tell us pros what to do?” Lately, golf balls With the movement to roll back this phrase has become frequently repeated. (We also have a fun explanation for this.)
You know it like this: An even older (hence the “ancient”) governing body that runs the British Open, otherwise known as the Open Championship for Hard.
Distinguishing features: Headquartered in St. Andrews, the home of golf, the company sets the rules of golf for the rest of the world except the United States and Mexico.
Harters says: “We should have acted sooner about the men-only club hosting THE OPEN!”
You know it like this: World rankings for men's golf. This is self-explanatory.
Distinguishing features: The formula, the two-year rolling period, the coveted top 50 status, and the decision not to count LIV golf events for ranking points.
Harters says: “How do people go up and down on weeks when they don’t even play?! PGA Tour events are unfairly weighted! DP World Tour events are unfairly weighted! LIV is unfairly weighted! (Basically, no one agrees with OWGR.)
You (still) know it as: European tour. (Name changed in 2022. The reason is money.)
Distinguishing features: It's a year-round schedule that takes you around the world and features a mid-season points competition called the Race to Dubai. Previously, the award list was called the Order of Merit. The DP World Tour also hosts the Ryder Cup on this side of the pond. That's why star players like Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, who resigned after moving to LIV Golf, will no longer be eligible to participate in the biennial event.
Harters says: “It's much easier to win on this tour than on the PGA Tour!” Well, that's what Paul Azinger said. And (*duck*) he’s not wrong…
You know it like this: That minor league tour.
Distinguishing features: Battlefield Promotions is the path to the PGA Tour, with new sponsors added every few years. (The LPGA Tour also has a feeder tour called the Epson Tour.)
Harters says: “What the heck is Korn Ferry?” They say it's consulting or something. (I know that Epson manufactures printers.)
You know it like this: senior tour
Distinguishing features: Thanks to technology, golf carts, and uncut 54-hole events, these old men can hit farther than they could in their heyday.
Harters says: “The prize pool should go to the PGA Tour or the Korn Ferry Tour instead of being offered as another pension plan for (primarily) wealthy golfers!”
You know it like this: A Saudi-backed golf league.
Distinguishing features: Questionable business plans, (huge) endorsement deals, teams, Greg Norman, 54-hole events with no cuts (also like Seniors), no OWGR ranking points (also like Seniors), Pat Perez's lottery ticket.
Harters says: “Everyone knows ACES!” But they say it in a mocking tone. Confused again? please do not worry. There's a lot going on. Therefore, face-to-face meetings may be necessary.