Jordan Spieth Says it’s ‘Impossible’ Not to Think LIV Golf Led to Changes to the PGA Tour

Jordan Spieth is saying what everyone was already thinking.

The PGA superstar says it’s “impossible” not to think the Saudi-backed LIV series led to changes to the Professional Golfers’ Association of America tour. This is what Speith said ahead of this week’s Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta:

“Well, I think it’s certainly, it’s impossible to not think that that was a catalyst for, for continuing to want to make sure that that are the players that we have on the PGA tour now stay on the PGA tour.” via GolfWeek.  

He also questioned, “Would this have gone that direction this soon?” and continued by answering his hypophoric question: “Maybe not. But I to say that it wouldn’t happen in general, I’m not sure but I think that that’s certainly has been a catalyst for looking at the product as a whole and figuring out how to how to make it the best it can possibly be.”

Spieth recognizes that the competition From LIV is good, but he also just wishes the best can all come together to compete against each other.

“Personally, competition, I guess, is always good to help push each other, but I’d rather have the competition just be us against what could possibly be better and better on the PGA Tour,” Spieth said. “Your competition is the best version of yourself kind of thing within the organization.

“I think that that would be the best-case scenario.”

It was revealed earlier in the week the PGA was making sweeping changes:

• Top players will commit to at least 20 PGA Tour events: The biggest names in the game will all be gathered at the same tournaments on a more regular basis. Those tournaments will include the eight elevated events as previously designated, four additional elevated events with purses of at least $20 million (to be announced), The Players Championship, the four major championships and three other FedEx Cup events of players’ choosing.
• The PIP will be expanded: The PIP has been increased from the top 10 players to the top 20 for 2022 and 2023. Not only has the player pool expanded, so has the prize pool, which will now total $100 million, double the $50 million previously announced. It is from these top 20 lists that “top players” will be defined.
• PIP criteria will change in 2023: Consideration of social media impact will be removed — sorry Max Homa. Instead, the PIP will be based on internet searches, general awareness, golf fan awareness, media mentions and broadcast exposure.
• An “Earnings Assurance Program” will launch: This exciting development affects not only the top players but also those battling for PGA Tour cards on an annual basis. This is for fully exempt members — Korn Ferry Tour category and above — and will guarantee a league minimum of $500,000. Rookies and returning tour members will receive this money up front and must play in 15 events in order to collect.
• Travel Stipend Program will launch: This will affect those non-exempt members (Nos. 126-150). Players will receive $5,000 for every missed cut to cover all travel expenses, including airfare an d accommodations. This will subsidize these expenses and not impact tournament purses.
• Modifications will be made to Life Membership: No longer will 15 seasons of membership be necessary. Once a player reaches 20 wins, he will be eligible for Life Membership.
• Tour Championship participates will earn a two-season PGA Tour exemption: Starting this season, if a player qualifies for the Tour Championship, he will be exempt on the PGA Tour for the next two seasons. This is not in addition to a winner’s exemption, but it does impact a player who may not have any additional status in the second year after qualifying for the Tour Championship.
• Qualifications will be in place for Tournament of Champions: Announced Tuesday, all golfers who finish inside the top 30 in the FedEx Cup and qualify for the Tour Championship will be invited to the Tournament of Champions where 550 FedEx Cup points — matching that of the Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Memorial and WGC-Match Play — will be awarded to the winner.

In 23 starts this season Jordan Speith has six top 10s finishes, two runner ups and a win at the RBC Heritage a week after missing the cut at the Masters.

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