Is LIV Golf far more challenging than the PGA Tour? The pros representing the Saudi-based league only play 54 holes, shorter rounds due to a shotgun-style format, and in an extremely limited field. LIV Golfers are also more focused on entertainment than their peers from the USA. On the other hand, the field strength in the PGA Tour varies every week. This week alone, the RBC Heritage is packed with the best golfers. However, Joel Dahmen is having a field day trying to win the 2025 Corales Puntacana Championship for the second time against a much weaker field. So, which one to pick?
Either way, both sides have their pros and cons. Some overshadow the others, yet both have proven to be entertaining enough to attract fans. So when Team US captain for the Ryder Cup, Keegan Bradley, was asked about the same, he too decided to remain neutral on the topic. Joining the crew of Subpar Golf, Bradley was asked, “So Nick Dunlap had won two tournaments since January 1st, 2024 on the PGA Tour and Bryson DeChambeau has won no tournaments during the same time period. Some would say it’s easier to win on the PGA Tour than in LIV. What would you guys say?”
A short chuckle later, Bradley replied, “I think they’re both difficult. Both fields are incredible. I think at any level… I even think when I played a year on the (NGA) Hooters Tour and on the mini tours, it was insanely difficult to win on that tour.” NGA Hooters Tour is a development tour from your professionals. Bradley has won two titles during his year down there.
Continuing to explain his statement, the 38-year-old added, “I think any level that you’re at, any tournament that you’re out with professionals is difficult.” Keegan Bradley modestly confirmed that both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf are equally difficult. On that note, the host immediately asked, “Would you guys consider a move to LIV if it made sense for you?” That’s when the 7x PGA Tour winner shared where his loyalty lies. After a short laugh, he replied, “No, I’m a PGA Tour player. I like where I’m at. But I have no… I have a lot of really close friends on LIV, and LIV has been interesting for all of us. But I’m really happy that the guys that left are making a nice living providing for their families.” On paper, that last bit might sound like Bradley is a bit envious.
However, what he said next will make it clear that there is no ill intent in his mind. Keegan Bradley finished with, “I have no ill will towards any of them, and I root for them every week.” It seems that the 2011 PGA Championship winner is quite neutral about LIV Golf. This comes as a shock, as many of the players have been quite critical about either side during the ongoing delay of the PIF-PGA Tour merger. Despite being a hater, Rory McIlroy had also faced some heat recently when he commended LIV Golf for how it had a positive impact on the purses of the PGA Tour events.
Aug 25, 2023; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Keegan Bradley plays his shot from the sixth tee during the second round of the TOUR Championship golf tournament at East Lake Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Either way, the PGA Tour has had the upper hand recently due to its stars outshining the LIV Golf pros. Let’s compare the recent performance of both leagues and their players.
LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour battle amid delayed merger
While the merger conversation between PIF and the PGA Tour is still ongoing, that hasn’t stopped LIV Golf from trying to compete with its rivals. On the broadcast and streaming front, 12.707 million average viewers tuned in to see Rory McIlroy become a Grand Slam champion. That was a 33% rise from the TV ratings for Scottie Scheffler‘s second Masters Tournament win in 2024. Late in the evening, when he was getting awarded the Green Jacket, the numbers racked up to a record 19.543 million viewers from 7 P.M. for 15 minutes.
As far as LIV Golf players go, their hopes of seeing Bryson DeChambeau win the 2025 Masters were crushed within the first few rounds. The mad scientist had a disappointing time on Sunday, which dropped him to the fifth spot at the end of the tournament. In fact, fellow LIV Golf pro Patrick Reed jumped up the rankings and finished third ahead of the star player. Overall, the abysmal show of Jon Rahm in the first round was a shocker for LIV Golf fans. The likes of Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, and Cameron Smith further derailed their hopes. After McIlroy’s win, the PGA Tour has definitely proven itself to be the dominant league as compared to its rivals. This will probably be raised as a point during Jay Monahan’s next meeting with Yasir Al-Rumayyan.
What are your thoughts about the delay in the merger conversation? Do you think the recent performances of the PGA Tour pros will have an impact on the proceedings? Let us know in the comments section.
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