PGA star 'feels like a mule' after Tour ignored concerns amid LIV Golf rivalry

10 March 2023 , 10:25

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PGA Tour star Ryan Armour claims that players will 'feel like a mule' when limited field events are introduced next year

A PGA Tour star has openly criticised the plan for new tournaments which will controversially include a limited field size and no cuts, likened to that of rivals LIV Golf.

A new schedule will introduce designated events with bumper prize pots, which will feature limited 70-80 player fields and no cuts after 36 holes. The tournaments, which are set to be implemented from next year, were presented during a PGA Tour players meeting on Tuesday morning ahead of the Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass.

Rory McIlroy has backed the changes after admitting the emergence of LIV Golf has exposed 'weaknesses' on the PGA Tour.

However, PGA Tour veteran Ryan Armour is amongst those critics who have slammed the new tournaments for freezing out those players lower down the rankings. He said that those outside the top 70 will 'feel like mules' by representing the Tour at other events while missing out on the new lucrative tournaments.

“Guys who keep their cards, they’re good players, but they’re not going to have a chance to play the playoffs,” Armour told Golf Digest. “They’re not getting into any of the designated events. But they want those players to go be mules for you at all the pro-ams, all the charity visits, all the hospital visits and sponsor events. And we’re good enough to do that, but we’re not good enough to play in designated events like we did this year?"

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American golfer Ryan Armour says that the new no-cut tournaments will push players towards LIV Golf (Getty Images)

Armour fears that the new tournaments will push players towards the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series creating ill-feeling amongst those stars further down the rankings.

He added: “Say you finished 75th on the points list, just using that as an example. Yes, you had a really good year, but you don’t get in any of the designated events. Why wouldn't you take a LIV contract? You've just been told by the tour, that you fought for and were loyal to, that we don't want you."

His views were backed by reigning Masters champion Scottie Scheffler who sent a "kick me out of the tournament" message to the PGA Tour amid the new changes

Former world No.1 Scottie Scheffler has voiced his opposition to the new no-cut PGA Tour tournaments (AP)

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Armour, ranked 318th in the world, is a member of the tour’s Player Advisory Council and the 47-year-old said that concerns were raised about the new concept to PGA Tour chiefs in January.

Speaking to Golf Digest at TPC Sawgrass the veteran star added: “I think what bothers me most about this, is that we all were in the same meeting in San Diego (in January) and there were serious concerns about going forward with this.

"We talked about the value of full fields, what it means for hospitality, for fans who want to watch golf all day, what the tour experience is all about. And then they went forward with it. If this was such a great idea, we should have done it 20 years ago when Tiger (Woods) was winning everything."

Benjamin Goddard