Also the Adam Scott press conference for yesterday was pretty telling to me. Seems like he's all in from his responses imo?
Aggie369 said:
Getting some info from current tour players that have current offers
Big name guys are definitely going to jump, they are setting teams and "team captains"... some guys are being offered equity. They have A, B, C, and D players for each team. Those designations are based off of world rankings. If they leave the tour they can still play in all 4 majors. No cuts, last place is guaranteed 100k pay check. They also get a contract for 3 years to play then things can go to "relegation" and teams can get new guys. The team aspect is similar to formula 1....they still compete individually but there will be a team component with points as well.
One benefit is that the players that will join will be highly ranked so the guys on Saudi tour will earn a lot of world ranking points when competing.
I'm sure I'm forgetting some stuff....somethings can't be shared because non disclosures have been signed but this thing sounds like it's happening and lots of money on the table. There is some info about the teams that can't be shared but everything I've heard sounds pretty cool.
Will be interesting to see how PGA responds to counter. Telling them they will be banned isn't gonna phase most of these people. PGA up the pay? PGA cut down to 50 player events? PGA not give away so much money to charity? PGA just becomes the new korn ferry tour?
It could all collapse and never happen but it looks like there is enough interest and $$ that it's gonna be a thing
I probably agree with you on Reed. But I get the sense Bryson cares deeply what people think about him. While he no doubt likes the money, I suspect the idea of not getting heckled by the gallery (to the point the PGA told people they would be tossed if they screamed "Brooksie!" at him) factored in. But, just a guess on my part and we'll never know because he would never admit it even if true.Aggie369 said:
It's strictly money...and lots of money
jja79 said:
You mean showing 9 commercials followed by 2 tap ins and then Jim Nantz talking to some mega rich guy about how much he loves charity before the next 9 commercials isn't good TV?
jja79 said:
You forgot ED treatments. Some episodes of it's show are briefly interrupted by golf too.
Just spoke with Jason Kokrak, who said he has been in talks with the Saudi league. Essentially said he wants to make a bunch of money so he can retire at 44 (very specific age) and watch his kids grow up. Honest if nothing else.
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) February 17, 2022
In related news, Kokrak has GOLF SAUDI on his bag.
Marauder Blue 6 said:
Basically, this is just a tour for the not quite ready for Champions Tour players who realize that their best days are likely behind them and they just want to cash in vs. playing for history. I wonder if Ryan Palmer will jump over to it. It seems made for guys like him.
powerbelly said:
I doubt I will watch.
Marauder Blue 6 said:
Basically, this is just a tour for the not quite ready for Champions Tour players who realize that their best days are likely behind them and they just want to cash in vs. playing for history. I wonder if Ryan Palmer will jump over to it. It seems made for guys like him.
thats the kicker in the whole deal. For the Palmers, Kokraks, etc type of player who can win on tour, but not consistently they can make a crap ton of money very quickly in this league. Which from the outside looking in seems like it would be super hard to turn down, especially considering the limited amount of tournaments.Aggie369 said:
I think the C level player on the team is guaranteed 45 million over 3 years....and that is if they place dead last in every tournament
I'm sure the money might impact some guys, but couldn't you have said the same thing about the PGA for the last couple decades? I get that PGA money is not guaranteed, but pretty much all the guys on tour you've heard of have banked enough over the years that they never have to worry about money again.AustinCountyAg said:thats the kicker in the whole deal. For the Palmers, Kokraks, etc type of player who can win on tour, but not consistently they can make a crap ton of money very quickly in this league. Which from the outside looking in seems like it would be super hard to turn down, especially considering the limited amount of tournaments.Aggie369 said:
I think the C level player on the team is guaranteed 45 million over 3 years....and that is if they place dead last in every tournament
My concern is all these guys agree to do this and cash in on the guarnteed money what will happen to the quality of the golf? They already know their family is set for life soon as they sign up for the league. The desire to practice would surely go to **** and the level of golf would surely drop?
JJ mentioned it earlier but the willingness to grind and compete is what makes the PGA tournament fun to watch (last week WMO no name Korn ferry dude outa nowhere with a chance to win). I can see this Suadi league lacking that hardcore competition. I mean will they want to win? Sure, but they damn sure won't lose any sleep over missing that final putt like they do now.