A lot of PGA Tour players have voiced their opinions and concerns on the new PGA Tour schedule & rules, and the comments have been divisive, to say the least.
And now, you can safely put 2016 PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker in the “does not like it” category.
Walker sounded off on the new format at the Fortinet Championship and expressed concerns with the smaller fields and smaller playoffs.
“They changed the rules,” Walker said. “It’s been 125 forever. Then it’s like, no, it’s 50, or is it 70? It’s definitely not 125. It’s total bulls–t, 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.”
Walker added, “I can’t tell you how many people texted me saying congrats on making the 125. I’m like, ‘No, man, it’s different.’ I had to explain. They’ve done such a bad job communicating what is happening, partly because I don’t think they knew what was happening, honestly.
“It’s been one way forever. 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. I’m just out here grinding, giving it all I’ve got. I’ve given them 20-some-odd years out here, you know.”
Peter Malnati, who serves as a player director on the Tour Policy Board, commented on the new format, saying it is “fun and exciting unless you’re one of the ones trying to keep your job, and then it’s a strain.”
Jason Dufner was another guy who had comments this week.
“We’re all adjusting to it a little bit. It’s nice to have the opportunity to play and try to, you know, sneak back into that 125 category,” Dufner said. “I don’t want to say I lucked into it, but I was able to use a career money exemption for this year, and on top of that, I got last fall and this fall, so it’s kind of a bonus type of deal for me so I’m trying to take as much advantage of it as I can to continue to be out here in some capacity.”
Suffice it to say this will not be the last we hear about the player’s thoughts on the new format.
