Prisoner of its incessant quest for renewal, the PGA Tour circuit could consider taking a new turn: reducing its field of competitors to 100.
The idea may seem far-fetched. Why reduce the number of players having access to the best circuit on the planet?
Recently, the leader board at the Mexican Open earned the PGA Tour some mockery. Especially at a time when the LIV Golf circuit was also starting its season.
In Puerto Vallarta, the top 5 consisted of Jake Knapp, Sami Valimaki, Stephan Jaeger, CT Pan and Justin Lower. Not necessarily the business card desired by the PGA Tour monks.
However, players like Rory McIlroy and Wyndham Clark have recently spoken out in favor of a reduced number of members on the circuit.
“I would be up for reducing the number of players, to make the circuit more competitive. I certainly won’t be very popular by saying this, but I am in favor of having fewer players, fewer playing rights and bringing together the best of the best,” explained the first.
“I think it would be wonderful if our tour was limited to 100 players and 20 players are relegated every year, no matter who you are. It would be exciting for the end of the season, because on the one hand, we would look at who would win the FedEx Cup, and on the other, who would be relegated,” said the second.
Ultimately, the idea would be to allow golf fans to have the chance to witness a real fight between the best players tournament after tournament. Then, it would force players to play as many tournaments as possible in order to protect their place on the circuit. Undeniably, the level of play would be higher.
The best example is undoubtedly that of Formula 1. Twenty drivers on the starting grid at each Grand Prix and that’s it. The assurance of a good show and a relentless fight to keep your steering wheel.
The opposite example is just as relevant. In tennis, on the ATP circuit, the number of players eligible for circuit events is in the hundreds. Major tournaments accommodate up to 128 participants. Of course, it is often the same people who win. But each registered player carries with them a chance to win.
The picture is similar to golf. Would reducing the number of registrations deprive us of Cinderella stories? The question is legitimate.
Especially since by reducing the number of players admitted, could we deprive ourselves of a new generation who would drop out, knowing full well that admissions are extremely limited? In truth, minor tours like the Korn Ferry Tour would definitely be more challenging, given the luxury of getting your greens pass.
However, when we look at the current FedEx Cup rankings, Carson Young, Tyson Alexander and Danny Willett, positioned at 101e102e and 103e ranks, would be relegated. And we can’t quite say that the partisans would tear their shirts if these brave men had to leave the ship due to their lack of performance.
Nothing like this is in the PGA Tour’s plans, but if it were to happen, massive support from the highest-ranked players must be expected.
The Scheffler of spring
Like the peony, Scottie Scheffler is at the top of his form when spring arrives. Year after year, he excels when it comes time to swap the winter coat for the thin coat. The 27-year-old has won seven times on the PGA Tour. And all his victories were acquired between February and April.
The number one in the world rankings has just topped the Arnold Palmer Invitational thanks to a five-shot lead over his closest pursuer.
PHOTO REINHOLD MATAY, USA TODAY SPORTS ARCHIVES
Scottie Scheffler won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last Sunday.
Two things smiled on Scheffler.
First, his play on the greens, once his Achilles heel.
The American offered a putting clinic. Notably thanks to an equipment change highly recommended by Rory McIlroy, Scheffler ditched his Scottie Cameron brand putter for a TaylorMade Spider. It paid off as he dominated every putting category last week. Even more impressive, in both rounds of the weekend, he didn’t miss a putt inside 15 feet.
Then there is confidence. Scheffler has participated in six tournaments since the start of the season. He finished, in order, 5e17e6e3e10e and 1er.
With the wind in his sails, he heads to TPC Sawgrass, where the Players Championship will be played this weekend, a tournament considered the fifth major of the season.
Scheffler took top honors last year with a final score of -17, five strokes ahead of Tyrrell Hatton. And he is once again the man to beat this season.