Even since being founded in 1929, the PGA Tour had been the most prominent name looked up to in golf. However, last year, the tour took a hit with the coming up of LIV Golf. Since then, the PGA Tour has continuously been on the path to modify itself to compete with the Saudi Arabia-backed league. However, the ongoing changes have rightly left a concerning impact on Jack Nicklaus.

Recently, arguably the greatest golfer of all time, headed to the Timuquana Country Club in Jackson, Florida. During his visit, he opened up about his views on LIV Golf. Conversing with the media, he expressed his concern about the PGA Tour pumping more money by increasing purses in tournaments: a step taken by the American tour to compete against the multi-millionaire Saudi league.

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Jack Nicklaus concerned about the formation of a two-tier PGA Tour

Ever since its inauguration, LIV Golf has been receiving massive criticism from numerous current and former pro golfers. However, that hasn’t been the case with Nicklaus. Despite being a PGA Tour loyalist, Nicklaus has sidelined himself from expressing his views about the newly formed league.

Also read- When the Great Jack Nicklaus Shocked the Golf World With His Iconic ‘Concession’

On the contrary, looking on the other side of the coin, PGA Tour’s efforts to compete with LIV Golf have seemingly forced the 18-time major champion to express his concern. Opening up about PGA Tour increasing the purses for major tournaments, he said, “I’m not sure what to make of it yet.”

Increasing the purse hasn’t been a new step for the PGA Tour. Over the years, the tour has steadily increased purses in tournaments. However, as per Nicklaus, the Saudi Arabia-backed league has pushed them to accelerate the process.

Going ahead, he said, “I think the tour was going to get there, but the LIV thing pushed them. That’s pretty obvious.” “What it’s done is made the PGA Tour almost two tiers. All of a sudden the other tournaments become feeders,” he further added.

As of now, the PGA Tour has announced additional purses for some of its major tournaments. Starting from the 2023 season, a total of 10 tournaments, including Nicklaus’s founded Memorial Tournament, will have a purse of at least $20 million. However, the one that leads the purse race is the Players Championship, with a newly announced purse of $25 million.

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What are your views on PGA Tour’s efforts to compete with LIV Golf? Will PGA Tour increase purses for more tournaments in the future? Do let us know your opinions in the comments below.