Forward Thinking from the PGA of America

[Wildrover]

Have to say I applaud this idea from the PGA of America:clap:, holding the USPGA around the world would be a great thing for golf and also increase the standing of the 4th major. Maybe South Africa, Australia, Japan or Korea? Any thoughts.

http://www1.skysports.com/golf/news...rican-major-could-be-heading-overseas-in-2020

 

[CMAC]

Sounds good to me.

 

[Deleted member 17920]

I think that's a great idea. You can already see it going to the far east but its great that they are actually thinking of doing it.

 

[USER1999]

I can't see it.

its the pga tours own major. This is the tour that gets a nose bleed if a venue is even vaguely near the border of the USA. Let alone outside it. Half of their players probably don't even own a passport. Heck, some of them won't even play in the open.

 

[Wildrover]

But the USPGA has nothing to do with the PGA Tour and Finchem ad his cronies, I think this could be a win/win for golf and the USPGA tournament itself, it's stature can only increase with this. I can see it happening a they are only talking about 2 or 3 times a decade. Imagine the interest if a major was played in Japan or South Africa.

 

[Garush34]

I think its a good idea but ive read its only going to be once or twice every ten years. And nothing before 2020 as all the dates are booked already.

Its a good move but i think it would soon become too much bother and it would jut go back to the us every year. The interest around the world world be there, but cant see it happening.

 

[Ethan]

Interesting development. The PGA is firmly stuck in fourth position on the major roster, but is unlikely to be demoted, so they can experiment a bit. Matchplay, as it was until the 50s is too risky - all the good players can be kicked out early and you could be left with Ben Crane vs Kevin Na for the final. At least with strokeplay, you can still show Tiger even if he is not in contention.

The PGA needs US TV coverage, and is probably stuck in mid-August so the list of suitable places is affected. They will also have to choose somewhere the players can get to after the previous event and are willing to go to. The WGC Matchplay in Oz won by Stricker was blighted by large numbers of players unwilling to travel down. European events finish too early in the day and some Asian places will finish too late, so there are limits where they can go and stay in a decent time slot.

They might also benefit from a large financial package from a developer who wants to put his resort on the map.

 

[MashieNiblick]

Interesting.

It's an event with a long and distinguished history that belies it's place as the "4th Major", but I think it has struggled a bit to gain maintain it's reputation despite it's history and strong fields. Whilst it is often held at the same courses as the US Open it isn't afraid to go to new places and this could be a novel way of extending that. There are some great golf courses round the world that could host a major but never will do under current arrangements so this could be a good way to raise the profile of the event and of those courses. Hope it doesn't just end up chasing the money and going to some new commercial resort venue though.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Not sure about this It is the USPGA and not the PGA cash cow that own the event. I wonder if their members would really want this

 

[Foxholer]

USPGA and PGA Tour have been separate entities for some time now.

USPGA has qualifying places for Club Pros which would be something that would probably disappear if it went outside US. It's certainly the least of the 4 Majors, so could well benefit from some innovation.

 

[Ethan]

The PGA of America is pretty protective of its 20 club pro spots in the event, although they are of little interest to most US golf fans and no interest whatsoever to anyone outside.

The TV companies also like to make something of the plucky performance of that podgy pro with the funny swing from Kansas Country Club who is making a run at making the cut.

 

[Mattyboy]

It might be considered to be the 4th major but is attracts the strongest field.

Call me a cynic but this would include £££££££££££££££ for someone. How much would someone pay to host it? How much did Terry Matthews pay for the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor (I don't know btw but will try to look it up).

But fair enough, we need a global major IMO.

 

[Ethan]

It might be considered to be the 4th major but is attracts the strongest field.

This is often said but can't really be true. Presumably it is because they go further down the OWGR but what about 20 club pros? Are they really making the field stronger than some of the lesser lights of the Oz, Japan and SA Tours who qualify through the local and international events. OK. they don't have amateurs but those guts are often pretty good players and do t get points in the OWGR.