Jordan Spieth has develop into the newest high-profile participant to confess the menace delivered from LIV Golf has triggered substantial modifications on the PGA Tour.
It emerged this week that the PGA Tour will transfer in the direction of decreased fields and no cuts in a batch of designated, $20m (£16m) occasions in 2024. That drew derision from members of the insurgent LIV circuit, who really feel they’ve been unfairly castigated for participation in the same format.
“I would be lying if I said that we would have gone through this without LIV,” stated Spieth. “But at the same time, we haven’t mentioned them in any of our discussions on what we think’s best for the Tour.
“The Tour has been all ears. It’s been a player-friendly, player-organised situation. It’s been honestly pretty fun to be a part of. I hope that we can kick it off the right way and don’t have to make too many adjustments to it because the main thing now is trying to get it as close to right the first time as possible.”
Spieth, who opened the Arnold Palmer Invitational right here in Florida with a four-under-par 68, unsurprisingly thinks the PGA Tour’s future seems to be robust. “I’m very supportive,” he stated. “It’s still, you have got to play well to be in the best position. It’s a situation where everyone that holds a full Tour card can play in every single event. I think that’s important to note. Then hopefully it creates a future product model for the next 20-plus years that’s even better than it has been. I’m trying to be a part of that next 20 years in those big events.
Quick Guide
How do I sign up for sport breaking news alerts?
Show
- Download the Guardian app from the iOS App Store on iPhone or the Google Play store on Android by searching for ‘The Guardian’.
- If you already have the Guardian app, make sure you’re on the most recent version.
- In the Guardian app, tap the Menu button at the bottom right, then go to Settings (the gear icon), then Notifications.
- Turn on sport notifications.
“I think we’ve found a pretty good balance right now in holding on to the history but also making modern adjustments that, in my opinion, reward appropriately the guys who beat the best in the world week-in and week-out.”
Scottie Scheffler, the defending champion, matched Spieth’s day one rating. Jon Rahm, who has already gained thrice in 2023, seems to be within the temper to proceed his excellent streak after opening with a 65. The Spaniard completed eagle, birdie, birdie to say a two stroke lead.
