Disastrous TV ratings and How LIV guys could return to PGA Tour as talks stall | The Shotgun Start

This PACKED Wednesday episode wanders around for an hour on a variety of important and inane topics on what should be an otherwise sleepy stretch of the golf year. Andy and Brendan begin with news of some truly horrific TV ratings from Sunday’s PGA Tour event, which were beaten by LIV’s own paltry ratings. Then they get to a Bloomberg report that talks between the PGA Tour and PIF might be held up on the notion that LIV players must return or forfeit their money from that enterprise, along with Joel Beall’s reporting otherwise on what’s truly holding up the talks: how LIV players are re-integrated back into the Tour. They discuss how that might happen, and who is actually worth taking back of real value. There’s a lengthy Mid-Am digression with some notables and their incredible stories. There’s also a segment on the legend of Sunny Abacoa coming out of the swamp to reclaim his MLGT throne. Schedule for the week goes deep on Champs Tour chatter at Pebble, as well as the DPWT’s flagship event at Wentworth. They close with news on the Masters expanding coverage to Paramount Plus and a name for the Vegas match between LIV and PGA Tour stars.
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[@adamgoodrich80]

So so wrong about which tv ratings number is worse… it’s by FAR the Saudi league. This was their season-ending championship with all their “stars” and couldn’t break 90k.
It’s the bigger embarrassment and it’s not even close.

[@jimiverson3085]

I think the big conclusion is that interest in fall golf on TV in the US is negligible, no matter who is presenting it. The Napa event was handicapped by the time slot and the main interest in golf being the Solheim finish, but fall golf has never been a big broadcast deal and is fading further. The PGA Tour is already highlighting "best of 2024 season" videos on RUclips - who does that when the season is still in progress?
The Tour would be better served by understanding that domestic fall events can generate more interest with a melee/survivor type of format. Set up worldwide events for the top 70 guys to play - maybe including match play events just before the Ryder and Presidents Cups. Make the field for the standard stops a mix of Tour guys who missed the 70 and the top Korn Ferry players. (Korn Ferry season ends before these tournaments start - no more "finals.") Everyone starts at 0, with the top 55 getting full exemptions along with a series of conditional exemptions down the final results. Bottom tier is invited to Korn Ferry for the next year or to find day jobs. Korn Ferry field to be filled out in a year end Q school.

[@meovino]

Trevino Part 2 is becoming SGS's "Chinese Democracy"

[@romeogolf72]

With the exception of football, people are watching less TV in general. It’s RUclips, podcasts, and instagram. So, nobody cares about fall golf. I’m sick of the pining over 6 or so LIV guys coming back to the TOUR as [ratings] saviors. They chose their path. They’re paid. Nobody watches them either. Would rather watch a MLT event.

[@josephdagostino2835]

LIV’s format is just terrible! I tried watching it several times now and it just looks like bush league garbage! Get your stuff together or get out of town!

[@cyore]

Why don’t you just talk about Jay Monahan. Conversation starts and ends there. Just his salary alone!
Should be a warning on this pod “do not drive while listening to this podcast because you may become sleepy”

[@darrenash2930]

The mule heard out grazing in the valley 😂 😂

[@tracydunn1172]

Best podcast to sleep to!

[@SilentBiscuit17]

The Snoozer Pod

[@ChrisMcLinden-ej6kh]

What channel was the procore championship on, I looked and couldn't find it on the weekend at all

[@jimiverson3085]

Golf Channel, but it didn't start until 6PM Eastern time.