In a statement released to all PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour players, the PGA announced the launch of two new financial programs designed to support players on their seasonal journey.
The first (Member Support Program) was designed to support players who have lost their membership and who were ranked 126th or higher in the FedEx Rankings for the recently concluded season.
All players who participate in at least twelve tournaments on the PGA and Korn Ferry Tour calendars will receive a guaranteed minimum salary of $150,000 at the end of the season.
In essence, the Tour will supplement the earnings of players who, having fulfilled the conditions of the twelve tournaments played, do not reach that amount, up to the amount set.
Pga, statement
This program complements, albeit on a smaller scale, the one that for the past three years has guaranteed $500,000 to all Tour players (card holders) who have played at least 15 tournaments. The goal is to alleviate the financial challenges associated with the lack of guaranteed contracts. The reduction in card numbers from 125 to 100 starting next season has freed up some of these resources.
The second initiative (Pathways Player Achievement Grant) is aimed at players on satellite tours.
Three groups will benefit from the program for the recently concluded season:
Players ranked 21st to 75th on the Korn Ferry Tour;
Players ranked 1st to 10th on the PGA Tour Americas point list;
Players ranked in the top five of the PGA University rankings. They are allocated a contribution of $15,000 which, unlike that allocated to their colleagues on the major Tour, will be disbursed immediately, at the start of the season.
In this case too, the resources come from the Earning Assurance Program, which was depopulated by the cut in membership.
The PGA Policy Board simply reallocated existing funds, and did so with a view to equity.
The rules of golf are relatively complicated compared to other sports because they are played outdoors, close to nature and animals. Respecting the rules is a fundamental element in the game of golf, which, almost always based on self-control and the free conscience of the players, often sees distorted results, sometimes consciously, but often unconsciously or through carelessness, due to the failure of many players to comply with the rules of the game. In addition to the rules, golf adheres to a code of conduct, known as etiquette, which generally means playing the game with due respect for the golf course and other players. Etiquette is an essential component of this sport.
