Los Angeles (AFP)
The plan for an elite league, dubbed the Premier Golf League, which could compete in two to three years on the North American (PGA) and European (EPGA) circuits, has resurfaced in recent days, arousing curiosity players like Phil Mickelson.
The Premier Golf League is a project led by World Golf Group, a group created in 2018 and based in Great Britain. It would bring together 48 golfers in 18 individual and team tournaments shortened to 54 holes, with an endowment of $ 10 million each, according to Golf Channel journalist Geoff Shackelford.
The first season of this new league would begin in 2022 or 2023.
The World Golf Group, which wants to implement this "new professional golf format" for which it has established a partnership with the investment bank Raine Group, "did not wish to make any additional comments for the moment". But nevertheless made a point of clarifying in a press release that its intention was "to work with the existing professional circuits rather than to compete with them".
"We have not met (the initiators of the Premier Golf League), and in practice we do not comment on the business of other circuits, real or hypothetical. We focus on our business", for its part reacted the PGA.
As for the players, we tend to listen, like Phil Mickelson.
"I'm curious, I'm listening. I think it's intriguing, but I don't know enough yet to comment on it publicly. I hope to know more," said the five-time Grand Slam winner. , on the sidelines of the Farmers Insurance Open Friday evening.
Mark Steinberg, the agent for Tiger Woods, also competing this weekend at Torrey Pines, recalled that the idea of another elite golf circuit is not new.
"Obviously, this project is resurfacing. We will see if they take it to the next level," he told Espn.
Twenty-five years ago, former Australian star Greg Norman pushed for the creation of such a league, but was met with firm refusal from the PGA.
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