It seemed that every comment or move made by Phil Mickelson over the last few years that had been against the PGA Tour’s grain had been criticized by the golf media and anti-Phil golf fans. But can Phil now sit back with an “I told you so?”
For example:
● Phil gambled, and it was frowned upon because gambling was not in the PGA Tour’s image. Not only does the tour now accept gambling but embraces it and has partnered with organizations that will promote it to even greater lengths.
● Phil said the tour was making huge amounts of money in media rights where players are used but they are not getting any of the revenue. The perception was that he didn’t know what he was talking about. The tour has now partnered with outside investors to create a for-profit entity called PGA Tour Enterprises. PGA Tour Enterprises will own, among other things, media rights for the tour. And individual tour players will have the ability to earn an ownership stake in the entity.
● Phil said the tour players needed leverage against the PGA Tour and was the first name player to sign up with LIV. The tour and many of the tour players came out against him for taking a cash grab of Saudi money. LIV wouldn’t last, and Phil was out there by himself. But other name players joined him. Now, the PGA Tour is engaged in talks with LIV, and many players, including one of the most outspoken critics, are calling for an agreement that allows the best players in the world to play on the same stage.
● And finally, Phil was perceived as the “bad guy” in the split with his longtime caddie Jim “Bones” Mackay. Now, Mackay and Justin Thomas have split one week before the first major of the year. Will JT now be looked upon as a “bad guy” as was Phil? Or maybe it was neither of them.
When Phil speaks, people should listen. He just might know more than we do.
Charlie Jurgonis
Fairfax, Virginia
I watch the PGA Tour tournaments because I enjoy the competition, the skill, and the character of the players. LIV golfers are dead to me, but the corpses are still popping up here and there, which disturbs me. The PGA Tour can survive without them (“Can Masters fix PGA Tour’s TV ratings slide?” April 1 GGP).
Golf is a niche sport. The attempt to place the PGA Tour economically as an equal to the big sports will damage the professional sport and fail. The PGA Tour needs to stay within the lines and not try to be something it is not.
LIV is failing and is an inferior product. If PGA Tour players want to go to LIV and die professionally, then so be it.
The PGA Tour is the quality product, and the sponsors know that.
Keith McIntyre
Statesboro, Georgia
All the commercials are killing the pleasure of watching golf (“Can Masters fix PGA Tour’s TV ratings slide?” April 1 GGP).
In recent years, NBC has added “Playing Through,” which on my 32-inch screen means I cannot see and is sort of schizophrenic.
It’s all the great number of unwanted ads that annoy me when I watch television. The Federal Communications Commission used to limit the number of ads. Now, I think they have either upped the limit or removed limits.
Waller Tabb
Lakeland, Florida
(Editor’s note: The FCC does not limit the amount of advertising on broadcast networks or on cable TV but restricts commercials on children’s programming, according to this document headlined Program Content Regulations.)
In general, I agree with Ron Green’s article about dwindling viewer numbers (“Can Masters fix PGA Tour’s TV ratings slide?” April 1 GGP).
However, I think that broadcast content has more to do with the decline than LIV. Who wants to watch a player taking five minutes to line up a putt when there are 60 players out there taking shots? Directors would be better off showing players hitting shots and only go to putters when they actually hit putts.
Also, the number of interruptions for talking heads and commercial breaks disrupts the viewing experience – even when showing highlights of the day’s play.
Mike Suttill
York, North Yorkshire, England
The reason viewership is down is that the coverage is 80 percent commercials, 15 percent putting, and a few shots thrown in (“Can Masters fix PGA Tour’s TV ratings slide?” April 1 GGP).
It's not worth watching such a boring broadcast. I would rather just read about it the next morning.
Mark Ruzycki
Sarasota, Florida
Ratings are down because the PGA Tour has contaminated golf with its apparent (monetized) capitulation to the Saudis (“Can Masters fix PGA Tour’s TV ratings slide?” April 1 GGP). Audiences (at least the ones I’m familiar with) are allergic to any such association.
Golf used to be a haven for respectability and charity. Now, it’s becoming merely the latest sport to prostrate itself before the great god of amoral profit.
Bob Mallett
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The constant bickering between LIV and PGA Tour players is so old (“Can Masters fix PGA Tour’s TV ratings slide?” April 1 GGP).
Jon Rahm needs to shut up. He sold out and now wants it all, which is normal for today’s pro athletes. Rory McIlroy needs to shut up or take the money from LIV, as he obviously feels as if he’s been the sacrificial lamb.
These two circuits need to get together now or agree to move on as today’s product is an unwatchable LIV and a watered-down PGA Tour. Waiting is only making it worse.
Art Williams
Luzerne, Pennsylvania
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