HONOLULU — Adam Scott has successfully made his way back to Kapalua and re-entered the top 20 in the world golf rankings, all while balancing numerous responsibilities. This year was particularly noteworthy for him as it marked his first full term on the PGA Tour board, a role that has presented him with significant challenges.
PGA Tour Enterprises has received substantial backing, amounting to $1.5 billion from Strategic Sports Group, which is part of a broader plan that includes giving players equity shares. In a significant shift in eligibility rules that hadn’t been seen in over four decades, only 100 players from the FedEx Cup will retain their cards this year, and the number of players in the field will decrease further by 2026.
Meanwhile, Scott is involved in the transaction subcommittee of PGA Tour Enterprises alongside prominent figures like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Their role includes negotiations with Saudi investors behind LIV Golf to explore potential minority investment opportunities.
When asked about the ongoing negotiation progress, Scott offered a candid view, expressing frustration while maintaining a level-headed tone. He remarked, “Same as always. It sucks,” reflecting on the complexities of the situation, especially with the involvement of the Justice Department. He added jokingly, “If the PGA Tour is their priority, we’ve got problems.”
It appears that the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund are nearing a potential agreement, with the possibility of an announcement by The Players Championship in March. However, any finalization heavily relies on the Justice Department’s stance regarding the negotiations.
The circumstances are further complicated by a transition in political leadership at the White House anticipated in the coming weeks. A pressing concern for golf enthusiasts remains: what implications would an agreement between the PGA Tour and the Public Investment Fund have on the current gulf in the golf landscape, particularly regarding LIV?
“There should be more movement soon,” Scott stated, but acknowledged the difficulties of reconciling different competitions, indicating the need for compromises, which can be contentious. “It’s really a tricky one,” he reassured.
LIV Golf is gearing up to kick off its fourth season next month in Saudi Arabia. Recently, it has added various prestigious venues to its 14-tournament schedule, including Trump Doral in Florida and the Robert Trent Jones Golf Club in Virginia.
Reports suggest that LIV is in advanced discussions regarding a television deal with Fox, although the network is likely seeking additional content to justify a partnership. Additionally, IMG holds the international media rights for the Asian Tour, where LIV has invested, further expanding its reach globally.
Looking ahead, the PGA Tour is contemplating changes to the format for determining the FedEx Cup champion and whether the Tour Championship requires another revision to its structure. Discussions began last August, largely motivated by media interests that seek a more engaging conclusion to the season. Notably, Scott was the last player to win the Tour Championship in 2006 before the inception of the FedEx Cup.
Scott expressed his fondness for the pre-FedEx Cup format, which he believed was more straightforward, with the top 30 players competing without the risk of those who had only a single exceptional week sneaking into the tournament. He views the Tour Championship as a historic event that has suffered from recent changes.
One proposed idea includes identifying the regular-season champion after the first FedEx Cup playoff and allowing both this player and the BMW Championship winner to bypass certain rounds leading to East Lake. This would permit players who were eliminated to compete for rankings from 30th place downwards.
Despite these suggestions, opinions among players on the efficacy of different formats remain split. The board has been involved in these discussions, signaling that something is indeed in the works, although nothing definitive has emerged yet.
Scott, who turns 45 this July, acknowledges the growing responsibilities that come with his role. He expresses pride in what the player directors have accomplished, emphasizing the importance of strong representation and the collaborative process among the group.
“I’m more than happy to say … the six guys fight like hell for the player groups — all of them,” he remarked. “We reminded each other of what we’re here to do. We’re not here to run the business. We’re here to ensure the membership has the best opportunities. I think they’ve done a good job.”