"Eye of the Typhoon" Super Golf League: "Nuclear Bomb or Dud?"... What is the PGA Tour's Response?

SGL June Launch Announced, $20 Million Total Prize Money 'Money Festival', DeChambeau and Johnson Surrender to PGA Tour 'Player Expulsion' Tough Measures Amid Difficulties

'Hulk' Bryson DeChambeau recently withdrew from joining the Super Golf League.

[Asia Economy Kim Hyun-jun, Golf Specialist Reporter] "Permanent expulsion if joining the Super Golf League."

Jay Monahan, the commissioner of the U.S. PGA Tour, has declared a tough stance against the Saudi Arabia-led Super Golf League (SGL). Following several warnings of severe penalties since last year, he plans to officially announce this at a briefing on the evening of the first day of the Honda Classic (total prize money $8 million), which opens on the night of the 24th (Korean time). As some members have recently shown interest in the SGL, the atmosphere is set for immediate harsh punishment. The global golf community has heated up due to this unexpected turf war.

▲ SGL "Oil Money Power" = The SGL is a new professional golf tour supported by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund (PIF). It is expected to launch as early as June. With 12 to 14 tournaments annually, each offering a total prize purse of $20 million (2.38 billion KRW) and a winner's prize of $4 million (480 million KRW), it is luring world stars with a lavish "money feast." Unlike the PGA Tour, which features about 144 players, only 48 players participate in the SGL, competing without any cuts. This clearly reveals the intention to poach only the top 48 ranked players.

In fact, astronomical sums are being poured in, such as the rumored $135 million (160.8 billion KRW) signing of Bryson DeChambeau. Along with claims from Kramer Hickok (both from the U.S.) that "more than 17 players have already signed," the SGL has emerged as a "storm center." Sergio Garcia (Spain) emphasized that "PGA Tour policies need to be revised," and Phil Mickelson (U.S.) openly criticized, saying "the PGA Tour is greedy" and that "the launch of the SGL will actually provide players with better treatment."

The likely venues are golf courses owned by former U.S. President Donald Trump, such as Trump National in Bedminster, New Jersey, and Trump Resort in Doral, Florida. These locations had previously been ruled out for hosting tournaments due to Trump's derogatory remarks about Mexicans and women. Complex factors include the friendship among Greg Norman (Australia), the "midwife" of the SGL, former President Trump, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump's Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, is emerging as the venue for the Super Golf League.

▲ PGA Tour "Carrot and Stick" = In response to the SGL, the PGA Tour has focused on introducing various programs such as the $50 million (5.96 billion KRW) Player Impact Program (PIP) and the $20 million Comcast Business Tour Top 10. The total prize money for this year’s four major championships is set at over $15 million (1.79 billion KRW) each, and the "fifth major," The Players Championship, offers a whopping $20 million purse. The final champion of the playoffs (PO) will hit a jackpot of $18 million (2.14 billion KRW).

Starting in September, a new "team competition" will be created where the top PIP-ranked players will serve as leaders, forming 10 teams of 4 players each, totaling 40 players competing. For example, "Team Tiger Woods" and "Team Jon Rahm" will be new cards to attract fans. This time, the PGA Tour has added the "extreme measure" of player expulsion. It is interesting that Mickelson is the "number one disciplinary target." He has repeatedly criticized the PGA Tour and led support for the SGL, causing conflicts within the U.S. golf community.

The future of the SGL is currently uncertain. World No. 1 Jon Rahm (Spain), No. 2 Collin Morikawa (U.S.), and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland) support the PGA Tour, and even DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson (U.S.) recently surrendered, stating they will "focus on the PGA Tour." Mickelson also said he will "lay low for a while" after losing the title sponsor KPMG. Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood (England), and Adam Scott (Australia) remain.

Phil Mickelson repeatedly criticized the PGA Tour and took the lead in supporting the Super Golf League, causing conflicts with the American golf community.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.