Golf does not often do “unconventional,“ however the Grass League is not attempting to play by conventional rules-and neither is Paige Spiranac.
Whereas PGA Tour professionals are nonetheless barred from competing in unsanctioned occasions like LIV Golf, a brand new team-based competitors is carving its personal lane. The Grass League, now in its second season, leans into what mainstream golf will not: a unfastened, enjoyable, and quick par-3 format with groups made up of retired professionals, caddies, celebrities, and influencers.
That was annoying! Paige Spiranac falls sufferer to the wind and has problem on the golf course
And guess who’s serving to inform the story?
Spiranac, one in every of golf’s greatest digital personalities, lately stepped in as a correspondent for the league, interviewing gamers and homeowners all through its opening occasion. Whereas she’s not swinging a membership herself, her presence is including legitimacy and loads of eyeballs to the upstart tour.
Why PGA professionals are out, however Wyndham Clark nonetheless acquired in
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan has made it clear: lively Tour members will not be allowed to play in occasions just like the Grass League. The explanation? Scheduling conflicts. The Could 2-3 occasion overlaps with the CJ Cup Byron Nelson. The season-ending championship in December? Similar weekend because the Hero World Problem.
So how did Wyndham Clark present up anyway?
As a result of he purchased in-literally. Again in March, Clark grew to become the proprietor of the San Diego Munis, one of many league’s founding groups. Possession does not appear to violate Tour insurance policies the way in which lively participation does, permitting Clark to remain near the motion with out breaking any guidelines.
His caddie, John Ellis, performs on the workforce. So does Joe Greiner, now looping for Collin Morikawa. However past them, not a single Tour participant was within the combine.
And that is no accident. In accordance with Golf.com, the PGA Tour is more and more cautious of something that would lure gamers away from its tightly packed calendar-even low-stakes occasions that play out over a single weekend.
The Grass League’s laid-back format may appear innocent: solely three occasions per 12 months, all par-3 holes, and 36 holes performed shortly over two days. However even a small schedule battle is sufficient to hold Tour gamers on the sidelines.
So, whereas the PGA attracts its strains, Paige Spiranac helps redraw the map. She’s not taking part in the sport by previous rules-she’s serving to reinvent it.
