Dan Rappaport shared what he’s heard from Riviera since word started circulating that the iconic venue could be added to the final rounds of the PGA Tour calendar as part of an upcoming schedule review.
Starting in 2027, the PGA Tour schedule is expected to change significantly. Brian Rolup is expected to lead a major change aimed at making more money from the tour.
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Last year, Harris English suggested it might consider a condensed calendar of 20 events. Recently, Tiger Woods spoke about how important it is for the tour to remain strong and competitive.
One of those changes could see time slots currently filled by FedEx Cup Playoff events taken over by Riviera and Pebble Beach.
Dan Rappaport responds to speculation that Riviera will host PGA Tour event in August
Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
It’s always a highlight when a tour heads to the Riviera or Pebble Beach, but not everyone is convinced that February is the right place for them on the calendar.
However, Dan Rappaport claimed that people on the Riviera were surprised by the report as well.
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“We’re hearing all this talk. Some people are saying, ‘Oh, it’s been agreed that Riviera and Pebble Beach will be in August,’ and that’s just not true,” he told Dan on Golf.
“Just last week, I asked people at Riviera and the answer was something like, ‘There are no tournaments in August. Our golf course doesn’t look like what we want, and it’s not our preferred time of year.’ So there’s definitely a lot of negotiation going on.”
Challenges the PGA Tour may face with schedule overhaul
If the PGA Tour were to cut its schedule down to less than 25 events, it would be tempting to think that nearly every course on the calendar would be worth watching.
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Momentum is already building for the WM Phoenix Open to start the new season, especially after a great week at TPC Scottsdale earlier this month.
But overhauling a major sports league is never easy, especially when existing television contracts still remain. Sponsors and networks have a huge say in how things shape up over the next few years.
The ultimate goal should be a simple desire to compete in the best possible conditions at legendary courses like Riviera, Pebble Beach, TPC Sawgrass, Harbor Town, and Muirfield Village.
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