PGA Tour star takes aim at "total bull****" schedule with LIV Golf remark

19 September 2023 , 15:39

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Jimmy Walker has hit out at the PGA Tour schedule (Image: Getty Images)

Former major champion Jimmy Walker has taken aim at the PGA Tour's newly introduced Fall schedule, labelling the circuit's plans 'total bull****'.

Ahead of the current campaign PGA Tour bosses rolled out a new schedule for 2023, which saw the introduction of the FedEx Cup Fall qualification process. Previously, players competing on the Tour were required to finish in the top 125 of the FedEx Cup standings to earn full playing rights for the following campaign.

This was changed for 2023 though, with a full card for the year after only being handed out to those ranked 70th or below following the end of the Tour Championship. Those outside the top 70 are able to enhance their playing privileges by competing across seven fall events between September and October.

One man who is banking on performing across the autumn schedule is 2016 U.S. PGA Champion Walker, but it is fair to say he is less than impressed with the changes. He has publicly spoken about against the plans and slammed the Tour's new schedule.

He told Golfweek: "It’s been [top] 125 forever. Then it’s like, no, it’s 50, or is it 70? It’s definitely not 125. It’s total bulls***, that’s what I think of it. I’ve been working for 11 months to finish 124 and it’s like, nope, keep playing. So, I’m going to give it all I’ve got. That’s all I can do.”

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Jimmy Walker sits 124th in the FedEx Cup standings (Stephen B Morton/AP/REX/Shutterstock)

The changes to the schedule came amid the PGA Tour's ugly dispute with their now former rivals at LIV Golf, having been announced at the height of professional golf's civil war earlier this year. Tension between those at the top of the sport has since eased after the Tour reached a shock agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia.

And, Walker believes players on the PGA Tour are feeling the effects of the Saudis burst onto the golfing scene. "It’s been one way forever,” he added. “LIV and the Saudis happen and a lot of things change and everybody freaks out and we sign an agreement that stops litigation.

"I don’t know what’s going on. They’re talking about a big payout for the players that have stayed. All of it is blowing my mind. The tour is doing everything they can to take care of themselves and not for the players."

Joshua Lees