Multiple PGA Tour winner issues direct message to golf fans amid rumoured changes

Multiple PGA Tour winner Billy Horschel has issued a direct message to golf fans amid rumours the established circuit may be making dramatic changes. 

Since the emergence of the PIF-backed LIV Golf in 2022, the North American circuit has gone through a number of shake-ups. 

Chief of which is the signature event model whereby limited fields gather and compete for $20m prize purses. 

The number of fully exempt PGA Tour members has also been reduced to 100 from 125. 

If recent comments made by Tiger Woods and chief executive Brian Rolapp are anything to go by, then there will be plenty more sweeping changes on the horizon. 

Woods is the chairman of the future competition committee, leading its work on reshaping the Tour's competitive model. 

Harris English was the first PGA Tour member to lift a lid on what could be expected, with the American golfer suggesting a streamlined scheduled of 20-22 events could be adopted. 

The season, English said, could also start in February to avoid clashing with the NFL. 

The aforementioned Rolapp's vision for the PGA Tour stems from three principles: scarcity, simplicity and parity. 

Horschel appeared to indicate in a recent interview with Golf Channel there is a misconception surrounding the "scarcity" aspect. 

"There is no talk of reducing the field sizes anymore," said Horschel. "There is no talk of reducing pathways. That is not the idea of the scarcity in his [Rolapp's] eyes.

"So I think, you know, I'm not saying that field sizes won't change somewhat, but I think it's not going to be a 60-man field. I don't believe we're going to go to a 60-man tour going forward. 

"I don't think that's a model that, you know, sort of, you know, as he said, we're not beholden to tradition, but we still obviously, you know, look at tradition and want to honour the tradition of the PGA Tour."

Horschel added: "So I think scarcity is more or less about tournaments themselves and reducing the amount that we have and finding a window in the 12 months where the PGA Tour can be the most successful and filling that window with tournaments."

Horschel's message to golf fans

Pressed on the idea of beginning the season in February, Horschel said: "Well, I would challenge a golf fan since if they want more golf, then why aren't they supporting the golf more by watching more golf? 

"If they want more golf, why do they only get 600,000 viewers in the fall schedule when golf is on Golf Channel?

"So there is an aspect I would challenge the golf fan. I understand you want more golf, but if you want more golf, then you need to be supportive of us giving you more golf, in my opinion."

Horschel continued: "Now, that may not sit well with everyone that I just said. It may not sit well, but I think golf fans are sports fans. And listen, NFL is the driver in the United States. People love watching NFL.

"We can't compete against NFL. You know, basketball is obviously being played, but they try not to compete with NFL. 

"You know, all these other sports aren't trying to compete with NFL. They're trying to find their own little window that works for them. And that's what we're trying to do with the PGA Tour."

World number two and reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy has had plenty to say about the direction of the PGA Tour. 

McIlroy, 36, has placed on his record the desire to create a truly global tour where national opens are elevated. 

Horschel doesn't see that happening anytime soon, given plenty of American golfers don't like to travel outside of the United States. 

"Listen, I mean, I think ideally in my eyes for a long time, I would love to see a global tour work," he said. 

"But I just honestly, I don't think that will ever materialise unless you sign players to a contract that requires them to go play overseas and to support these events.

"Then I just don't see Americans honestly travelling outside America. They're very comfortable with being in America, playing in American events. Obviously, the financial rewards of playing in America are evident. 

"And so there's no need for them to play globally unless they see themselves as a global player, unless they have a infatuation of putting their names on trophies and comparing themselves to others before them and create a legacy that was very deep and reaching the entire world of golf.

"That will never happen. I mean, I love travelling. I love playing overseas. I think there's an opportunity that what I've heard that if we did a smaller schedule, there's an opportunity that you can travel around the world a little bit more and play these events.

"And so that's something that entices me because I'm like, man, this may work out well for me. 

"We may not create a global tour, but if we create a window, a smaller window of the PGA Tour, it opens up a window for myself and the guys that do like to travel to go around the world and play some of these events that we have supported before or some of these events that I would love to have gone and played."