It looks like the details are still being worked out, but apparently there is a project that is examining how to take the top players directly from college and into the PGA Tour:
https://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/2018/12/04/pga-tour-draft-program-college-golfers/
From what I gather, the benefits include the ability of tour rookies to be able to play a full schedule and not rely on a sponsor exemption, as well as the name recognition of top players at the college level transitioning to the pros.
That being said, my initial reaction is apprehension. I like the fact that there is no draft and everyone that has a card on the big tour had to earn it through a variety of means. The argument that a draft broadcast would bring even more eyeballs to the sport in the manner of the NFL, NBA is invalid to me - there are no teams to be drafted to so there is no individual fan base that would be excited to see who they get.
Plus many casual fans don't watch typical golf tournament broadcasts or NCAA championships, so the idea that they will tune in to watch college guys get their card by whatever judgement the tour has. There is nu guarantee that college success = tour success. I like the fact that Reed had to fight to qualify through multiple Mondays and as a result he's been able to make a noteworthy career out of it. Or that Speith made the most out of sponsor exemptions to be able to secure his card. I'm interested to see the proposal, but I'm not too optimistic about this.
https://www.golf.com/tour-and-news/2018/12/04/pga-tour-draft-program-college-golfers/
From what I gather, the benefits include the ability of tour rookies to be able to play a full schedule and not rely on a sponsor exemption, as well as the name recognition of top players at the college level transitioning to the pros.
That being said, my initial reaction is apprehension. I like the fact that there is no draft and everyone that has a card on the big tour had to earn it through a variety of means. The argument that a draft broadcast would bring even more eyeballs to the sport in the manner of the NFL, NBA is invalid to me - there are no teams to be drafted to so there is no individual fan base that would be excited to see who they get.
Plus many casual fans don't watch typical golf tournament broadcasts or NCAA championships, so the idea that they will tune in to watch college guys get their card by whatever judgement the tour has. There is nu guarantee that college success = tour success. I like the fact that Reed had to fight to qualify through multiple Mondays and as a result he's been able to make a noteworthy career out of it. Or that Speith made the most out of sponsor exemptions to be able to secure his card. I'm interested to see the proposal, but I'm not too optimistic about this.