PGA planning revamp to head off LIV as Brooks Koepka defects
- Koepka, 32, is expected to make his debut on the money-spinning circuit at its maiden US event in Oregon next week
- LIV was expected to announce as many as four new players this week
The PGA Tour is planning to revamp its schedule with a series of lucrative new tournaments, reports said Tuesday, as four-time major champion Brooks Koepka became the latest star to defect to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan detailed proposed changes to the tour schedule at a packed meeting of players early Tuesday at this week’s Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, according to reports.
Proposals outlined by Monahan include boosting purses to at least US$20 million in eight existing marquee tournaments and the introduction of three new US$25 million tournaments that will feature no cuts and limited fields. The schedule overhaul could be in place by the 2023 season.
The moves are the clearest indicator yet of the PGA Tour’s strategy to combat the rise of LIV Golf, which has steadily been luring star names to sign with the upstart circuit that offers US$25 million in prize money for each of its 54-hole tournaments.
Other changes proposed by Monahan on Tuesday included a return to a calendar year schedule running from January to December.
The current “wraparound” season starts in the North American autumn and is unpopular with some players who complain it does not allow for a clearly defined off-season.
Tuesday’s developments came as news broke that Koepka, the world number 19, and Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, the world number 20, have joined LIV.
Koepka, 32, is expected to make his debut on the money-spinning circuit at its maiden US event in Oregon next week. Koepka’s management team did not immediately respond to queries.