Taking a look at Year 1 of the signature-event series and how that played into access for Year 2.
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CASTLEROCK,Colo.–TherewasacollectivesighofrelieflastweekendwhenHidekiMatsuyamaclosedouttheFedExSt.JudeChampionship,bringinganendtowhathadbeen17monthsofturmoil.
ItbeganinMarch2023,atensetimeforthePGATour.Thetopplayersweregettingrichbut,apparently,notrichenough.LIVGolfwaspoachingsomeofitsbiggestneedle-moversandthreateningtheTour’sbusinessmodel.Andawideswathofthemembershipwasunhappy,someevenfurious,withanewsignature-eventseriesthatpromisedtocreateanevenmoredistinctclasssystem.
Asusual,RoryMcIlroywasputinfrontofreporterstoexplaintheintricaciesofthenewprogramthatwouldplaceheightenedimportanceonbeingamongthetop50intheFedExCup–therarifiedairthatwouldguaranteeaccesstothebiggestevents,thebiggestpurses,thebiggestpointtotals.
Atthetime,therewasreasonableconcernthatthemodelwascreatingaclosedshopthatwentagainsttheveryspiritofprofessionalgolfastheultimatemeritocracy.Thatcappingthefieldsatthemarqueeevents,each
