Seriously, can 2025 relax with the PGA Tour struggles? First, despite the start having a great unrivaled performance at the Sentry from Hideki Matsuyama, the viewership observed a great decline. It raised a concern for the league. Even the competitor league, with significant improvement, including a deal with Fox Sports and ITV, added pressure on the PGA Tour.
However, with the great start from Rory McIlroy at AT&T Pebble Beach, the league was on the way to a revival, with great viewership and players starting their 2025 schedule. Now with the Genesis Invitational, a new worry for the league has begun and even fans are criticizing the league.
The event was first criticized by the fans for its round one coverage which excluded the fan’s favorite, Jordan Spieth from the schedule. Now, with the concerning natural obstacle, the fans are again getting furious with the decision. The cold, wet, and windy conditions in the first round led to offering ‘preferred lies’ to the golfers.
On this, PGA Tour Communication on X shared a post writing, “Preferred lies will be used in round one of The Genesis Invitational.” ‘Preferred lies’ is a local rule that allows the golfer to improve their ball position on the course without penalties. The rule is introduced when the course is not in its ideal condition.
Preferred lies will be used in round one of The Genesis Invitational
— PGA TOUR Communications (@PGATOURComms) February 13, 2025
So, for a quick rundown, viewership, slow-play, LIV vs PGA, and for the latest, weather conditions, will it get better? Now, with the rule introduction, the fans were seen discouraging the move of the league in the comments section.
Fan-distress with the latest update of PGA Tour’s Genesis Invitational
With this update, it seems the hopes of the fans are affected. Despite the weather, fans expected the game to continue as usual with golfer making their way through struggles.
One of the fans wrote with the pun, “Preferred Lies – Jay Monahan when negotiating wages with his players.” As compared to the PGA Tour 2024 payout for the top 30 players, LIV Golf was not far behind. PGA paid $215 million, while LIV Paid $200 million. Being the more established league and having a great roster of players, the small difference in the payout has left fans an option to point out. Fans are connecting the issue with the ‘preferred lies’ rule where they have added what the CEO has lied to players.
Another fan joined writing, “6hr round incoming.” The preferred lies option due to the wet condition will allow golfers increased time to adjust and clean the ball while thinking about the shot. Despite the rule, the event earlier in 2025 saw 5 hours plus round duration. However, with the rule, the fans are expecting the time to be 6 hours.
More fans joined in disagreeing with the move with the comment, “This tour is so soft…that’s why viewership is down come on.” Pointing out the worry for the 2025 season, which is the dropping viewership the fan wrote about the league being soft for pampering the players and offering the option to lift clean and place. Earlier, the Sentry and the American Express have already seen a drop of 34% and 56% viewership, respectively. Looking at the negative comments, the worry for the PGA Tour continues.
Further netizens wrote, “So Lift, Clean & Cheat?!?! Got it!,” “Loser move” and “So we’re playing some other game than golf???” The rule definitely isn’t liked by the fans, as according to them it is not the real golf that is being played. Even instead of lift, clean, and place, the fan wrote lift, clean, and cheat as the ball can be placed at a desired location within the directed area.
Furious fans have been taking a long toll on Jay Monahan & Co. with the first round. With the coming three rounds, if the feat continues, the event might get a declined viewership worry again. What are your thoughts on it? Will the league get higher viewership? Share with us in the comments below.
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