The PGA Tour 2024 season kicked off its initial event in Kapalua, but someone was missing. Jack Holden discusses the absence of world number three Jon Rahm.
Despite the impressive field and an exciting finish to The 2024 Sentry, the absence of Rahm was noteworthy. I think most traditionalists and those who treasure the history of professional golf were disappointed by his decision.
It’s not like we don’t understand. $560M would make most of us change horses. And taking the money doesn’t make Jon a bad guy.
“I’ve never played golf for monetary reasons,” he said. “I’m interested in history and legacy.”
This was his statement about LIV Golf earlier this year. But after joining LIV, his explanation about “bringing growth to the sport” sounded a bit hollow.
The PGA Tour now has events all over the globe, having merged with the international DP World Tour, in addition to its sponsorship of the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, the compelling international team events that alternate every other year. And teams we can relate to.
The LIV teams are about as exciting as those in my club’s Member-Guest. Do we really care if Patrick Reed’s “whatever they’re called” beat Brooks Kopeka’s “whatever they’re called?”
Although his defection appears to be a tipping point, the market will play out, and soon, we’ll know what the landscape of professional golf will look like. Maybe it will turn out better than we think.
But at the end of the day, the fans on television indirectly determine professional golf’s viability.
Current television viewership is comprised primarily of the over-55 demographic, and the live galleries have been getting smaller for both tours. So, it doesn’t appear that subtraction by addition is the smart way to go.
I like to think that a merged tour of LIV and the PGA – much like the NFL’s merger with the AFL in the 1960s- if structured properly, would result in a dynamic new and energized World Tour, finally bringing to fruition the promise of that very first golf show on television, propitiously titled: “The Wonderful World of Golf.”
Jack Holden retired from business and returned to writing full time about his lifelong passion for the game of golf. He was introduced to the game as a caddy in Westchester County, NY, where golf clubs and great golf courses proliferate. He provides unique golf course reviews, commentary, opinions, tales and other interesting tid-bits about the game he loves.
