Danger bells ring for PGA as TV ratings fall 60 percent compared to last year, LIV Golfs YouTube

The controversy between the LIV Golf series and the PGA Tour is not ending any time soon. Ratings for PGA Tour’s Sanderson Farms event last weekend might be bad news for the organizers as reports suggest that figures were down 60 percent compared to last year. A Twitter user going by the name ‘Golf Fan’ said this means that PGA currently doesn’t figure even in the top 150 shows in US alone.

Compared to PGA, LIV Golf ratings on YouTube are up as ever with at least 115,000 average real-time views each time an event is live streamed. Although LIV doesn’t currently have a TV deal in the US, Fox is already said to have contacted them for negotiations.

“TV Ratings for Sanderson Farms last weekend are a disaster for the #PGATour. They are so bad that they don’t show up in the top 150 shows! Even assuming a generous 100K viewers, that is -60% down from same time last year. PGAT can’t keep up with #LIVGolf if this is the trend,” @GolfFan2155 wrote on the microblogging website.

TV Ratings for Sanderson Farms last weekend are a disaster for the #PGATour. They are so bad that they don't show up in the top 150 shows!

Even assuming a generous 100K viewers, that is -60% down from same time last year. PGAT can't keep up with #LIVGolf if this is the trend. pic.twitter.com/nlLVkLKq3B

— Golf Fan (@GolfFan2155) October 4, 2022

Also Read: ‘LIV has done a favor, made the game more fun’ -Brandel Chamblee tweets about the 2022 Presidents Cup team

PGA Tour offers lucrative deals to compete with LIV Golf

PGA Tour is set to implement a new rule from 2023 with commissioner Jay Monahan promising to provide $500,000 to all golfers who hold the PGA Tour card. This sum is not a salary, nor is it part of prize money. On the contrary, it will be simple base pay — meaning that it is pledged.

For golfers like Nick Lindheim, it is good news. “It’s expensive to be out here on the road every week,’’ Lindheim said. “The players who stand out to me are the ones who don’t think about the financial part of it. They can just go out and play and let things happens. That’s not how my brain works.’’

Drama between the PGA and LIV is expected to continue to escalate, especially after LIV golf filed an antitrust lawsuit, the trial of which is to scheduled as ahead as January of 2024.

However, the PGA also countersued LIV golf, alleging that the rebel league has offered players mammoth money to break their contracts in order to improve the image of Saudi Arabia in the public eye keeping their human rights violence in mind.

Also Read: “Growing the game or the confusion?”: Twitter left puzzled with LIV Golf’s star-studded $50 million finale format

Also Read: “Rory to LIV Golf?” Rory Mcllroy causes a stir on social media as he wants LIV Golfers to get OWGR ranking points and compete in Majors

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