Jon Rahm might be boosted by this news from a leaked PGA Tour memo
Jon Rahm was just one PGA Tour player who didn't seem to pleased with the jam-packed scheduled with elevated events that was announced to counter LIV Golf.
Jon Rahm might be buoyed by this news, as it has been reported the PGA Tour's top stars will be allowed to skip one of their 13 elevated events and still be eligible for the $100m Player Impact Program [PIP].
According to a report by the Associated Press, a memo has been circulated to players stating the PGA Tour's policy board has voted allow players to skip one elevated event.
Per the report, payers will be allowed to skip one tournament:
Embattled PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announced the introduction of 13 elevated events with increased prize purses at the Tour Championship last season.
The elevated events are:
- The four major championships, plus The Players
- The three FedEx Cup Playoff events [FedEx St. Jude, BMW Championship and Tour Championship]
- The Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Memorial
- Sentry Tournament of Champions
- WGC Match Play
Monahan later confirmed the WM Phoenix Open, RBC Heritage, Wells Fargo and Travelers Championship would also be elevated events.
The announcement of these elevated events were seen as an attempt to prevent players from defecting to their rival LIV Golf.
Though it seems like Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele will be the next PGA Tour players to jump ship, joining the roster of 60 players on the breakaway tour in 2023.
As well as increased prize purses and a travel stipend, the PGA Tour confirmed their PIP would jump from $40m to $100m.
Tiger Woods won the inaugural PIP, scooping $8m. In 2022-2023, the PIP will reward the top 20 players.
It was initially announced that players who finished inside the top 20 of the 2022 PIP were required to participate in all elevated events which they are eligible, plus three additional events.
These changes would see the elite players facing a busy schedule, making as many as 20 tournament starts - including the four majors - in the span of 34 weeks.
The aforementioned Rahm was not best pleased when this news was announced.
He said:
But this news will grant the elite players at least some flexibility.
According to GolfDigest, there is a penalty that players will incur if they don't satisfy all elements of the PIP.
It is believed to be a percentage of their overall bonus.
The PIP was also in the news again this week as LIV Golf's Bryson DeChambeau claimed the PGA Tour owe him half his bonus money he earned in the inaugural program.
Bubba Watson also claims to be owed $1.5m.
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