Imagine a PGA Tour completely transformed, split into two rival divisions like the MLB or NFL. Sounds radical, right? But that’s exactly what golf legend Gary McCord is proposing, and it’s an idea that could shake up the sport as we know it. At 77, McCord isn’t just a former player with over 400 tournaments under his belt; he’s also a CBS Sports commentator who’s spent decades dissecting the game’s intricacies. In the early 1980s, he revolutionized the Tour with his “all-exempt” model, which expanded the exempt player list from 60 to 125. Now, he’s back with another game-changer, unveiled on this week’s Subpar podcast, that could redefine the Tour’s future in the face of challenges like LIV Golf and shrinking PGA Tour cards.
Here’s where it gets controversial: McCord envisions a PGA Tour split into two divisions, each hosting 18 events with 110-player fields and 70-player cuts. Add the four majors and The Players Championship—qualified via a money list ranking—and you’ve got a 41-tournament season kicking off post-Super Bowl. “We’ve doubled the number of players to 220 while reducing tournaments,” McCord explained to Subpar hosts Colt Knost and Drew Stoltz. “And it works—it works really well.”
But wait, there’s more. Within each division, McCord sees franchises owned by tournaments like the WM Phoenix Open, drafting or trading players annually. Players could even cross over to the other division for select events. And this is the part most people miss: the season would culminate in a Ryder Cup-style showdown between the divisions, winner-take-all. Think of it as golf’s version of the Super Bowl.
Is this the future golf needs, or a step too far? McCord’s plan is bold, but it raises questions. Would players embrace the franchise system? How would it impact smaller tournaments? And could this model truly rival LIV Golf’s appeal? For a deep dive into McCord’s vision, check out the full Subpar episode. But first, let’s spark some debate: Do you think a divided PGA Tour could save the sport, or is it a risky gamble? Share your thoughts below—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss.
