The changes to the PGA Tour may have been welcomed by the top players on the circuit, but veteran pro Ryan Armour slammed plans for the new designated events saying the bulk of the players further down the rankings are unhappy with the move.
Armour is a long-time member of the Player Advisory Council, but says that the opinions of the 16-player PAC aren’t taken into consideration, with just a select few top players who sit on the PGA Tour Policy Board holding all the power.
In an explosive interview with Golf Digest, Armour hit out at the new designated events that will be small fields with no cut from 2024, saying Jay Monahan and the PGA Tour is eroding one of its founding principles – to give all of its members playing opportunities.
“I’m going to catch heat for this,” Armour told Golf Digest (opens in new tab). “But I was talking with James Hahn and we went into detail about how we need to rewrite our mission statement and take out the part about the tour creating playing opportunities for its members.
“I guess we’re not doing that anymore. They just c*****d on everything (former PGA Tour commissioner) Deane Beman stood for.”
Loyal PGA Tour members being left out in the cold
The main problem for Armour, and many of his fellow players, is the barrier to entry they now see in these big events, which could force some talented younger players to go and seek a LIV Golf contract if they can’t get into the new big events.
“Guys who keep their cards, they’re good players, but they’re not going to have a chance to play the playoffs,” Armour said.
“They’re not getting into any of the designated events. But they want those players to go be mules for you at all the Pro-Ams, all the charity visits, all the hospital visits and sponsor events. And we’re good enough to do that, but we’re not good enough to play in designated events like we did this year?
“Say you finished 75th on the points list, just using that as an example. Yes, you had a really good year, but you don’t get in any of the designated events. Why wouldn’t you take a LIV contract? You’ve just been told by the tour that you fought for and were loyal to that we don’t want you.”
Kevin Streelman voices his concerns about the new designated event changes
(Image credit: Getty Images)
Fellow PAC member Kevin Streelman added that a frustration for golfers further down the food chain is that so much can be won and lost just by a shot or two – with that all-important top 50 to…
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