#4 PGA/DP Tour/LIV/PIF 2024

#4 PGA/DP Tour/LIV/PIF 2024

#12 October 15, 2023

Golf Digest reports that LIV intends to go forward with their 2024 schedule with no changes.  They will have 14 tournaments, some conflicting with the PGA.  I feel that due to lack of information and government involvement it will be difficult to form an agreement by the end of 2023.  I do find it unlikely that that LIV format will stay as is.  They have pushed the team concept which does not seem to be an attractive format based on attendance and TV ratings, especially in the US where 8 tournaments are planned for 2024.

#13 October 26, 2023

Augusta National Chairman Fred Ridley and R&A chief executive Martin Slumbers responded to questions in Melbourne, Australia indicating that LIV members would not be given a special category into the Masters and OPEN Championship in 2024.  Earlier this month LIV was denied receiving OWGR points, see #11 Oct 11, 2023. Ridley and Slumbers rejected the notion that talks were underway to create an exemption for LIV players.  Ridley does however leave the door open for future revisions.

#14 October 31, 2023

Davis Love III tells Gulfweek that it is unlikely for an agreement between LIV/PIF & PGA will happen by their self imposed date of December 31, 2023.  It is obvious by the lack of any movement since the proposed agreement was announced on June 6, 2023 that this is the case.

World Wide Technology Championship Nov 2 to 5, 2023, Par 72 Purse $8.2M same as last year.  It is hosted for the first time by El Cardinal at Diamanté which is on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula.  It is the first course designed by Tiger Woods to host a PGA event.  Tiger says it was not designed as a championship course, expect -25 to win.  Last years winner was Russell Henley for his first win since 2017, but he will not defend his title.  Scottie Scheffler shot 9 under on the final RD to finish 3rd behind Brian Harmon who would go on to win the OPEN this past year.  This years field of 132 is much weaker than last year with only 5 of the World top 50 playing. Results will be posted Monday Nov 6.

FAVORITES

Ludvig Aberg OWGR #58 9/1 Moving up in rankings each week, may win.

Cameron Young OWGR #17 11/1 highest in field but has yet to win.

Sahith Theegala OWGR #29 16/1 very talented should have a break out year in 2024.

Lucas Glover OWGR #32 25/1 had a great ending with 2 wins in last 5 tournaments.

Emiliano Grillo OWGR #34 28/1 is hot and cold, can’t see him winning unless he’s hot.

Chris Kirk OWGR #47 40/1 defeated Eric Cole in a playoff to win the Honda Classic.

Matt Kucher OWGR #64 50/1 seems he plays every week, #10 in career earnings $58M

Michael Block OWGR #577 750/1 after his great showing at PGA up from #3580.