The PGA TOUR is on an Absolute Heater

Most of the noise this offseason generated from a potential deal between the PGA TOUR and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund that would bring the men’s professional game back together. For years its seemed like a no brainer, who wouldn’t want to watch all the best players in the world duke it out more than four times a year?

But boy-oh-boy has the TOUR gained some serious leverage over the last few months—the product has been unbelievably good.

Starting in early February, Rory McIlroy dismantled a field of the circuit’s best on one of the most iconic courses in the world to win the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. It was the Northern Irishman’s first win at a cathedral of golf—of course, he’d add another one in April, but we’ll get there.

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Two weeks later, Ludvig Aberg won his first big-boy event at the Genesis Invitational, outlasting a leaderboard that included Maverick McNealy, Scottie Scheffler, Patrick Cantlay, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tony Finau all inside the top five.

Seven days later, 32-year-old Brian Campbell became a first-time TOUR winner south of the border thanks to a miracle kick in a sudden-death playoff. I’m still not sure how that ball didn’t go out of bounds. Then, back in Florida, Joe Highsmith made the cut on the number at the Cognizant Classic and shot 64-64 over the weekend to win by two. Not the two biggest names in the world, but dramatic wins are dramatic wins. You’d be lying to yourself if you thought they weren’t entertaining events.

Then the TOUR’s heater reached another level.

Russell Henley chipped in for eagle on the 70th hole of the Arnold Palmer Invitational to steal the title from Collin Morikawa. McIlroy took down J.J. Spaun with ease in a three-hole aggregate playoff at THE PLAYERS for his second gold statue and second win of the season. Viktor Hovland took advantage of a couple late bogeys from Justin Thomas at the Valspar Championship and pulled a W out of his hat like a magician. The dude had no clue where the ball was going all week and won the golf tournament. Just unreal stuff.

Should we keep going? Sure, why not?

Photo: Getty Images

Min Woo Lee, one of the most popular players on TOUR, lived up to his “Dr. Chipinski” nickname and earned his first win at the Houston Open, outlasting Scheffler, Gary Woodland, and McIlroy. Two weeks later, McIlroy was back in the winner’s circle, completing the Career Grand Slam at Augusta National, his first major championship win since 2014. Then, on Sunday, Justin Thomas won for the first time as a dad, a husband, and since the 2022 PGA Championship.

The good stuff.

Something about the best players in the world getting emotional after big wins will always hit.

It feels inevitable that the game will reunite at some point. It’s going to happen (it's gotta happen, right?). But the TOUR’s product is only getting better and the TV numbers continue to back that up. If the TOUR's path continues to stay as hot as the last few months have been, the compromises may have to come from the LIV side if/when they decide they want back in the party. ...And that party would be an absolute rager for golf and its devoted fans.