Super Golf League: What is the controversial proposal and who could be in it? Rory McIlroy pokes fun at mega-money idea but likes of Bryson DeChambeau and Dustin Johnson appear keen
The game of professional golf could be set for a major shake-up in the near future with the formation of a new Super Golf League.
The controversial idea of forming a new circuit to challenge the game’s established tours has been around for some time but the SGL is seemingly gathering more pace.
Led by former world number one Greg Norman, the Saudi-backed competition would offer the world’s best players the chance to compete against each other week in, week out with huge sums of money up for grabs.
But it comes with substantial pitfalls with the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Ryder Cup among those apposed to the plans, saying they could ban players from competing in their competitions should they take up the cash on offer from the new Super League.
Players are effectively now set to chose between winning Majors or picking up mammoth pay-checks and the idea is dividing opinions across the game.
So just what is the Super Golf League and will it actually be added to the golf calendar soon?
Super Golf League: What is it?
In January 2020, the Premier Golf League outlined proposals to hold tournaments for 48 elite players competing in 54-hole competitions with no cut.
The weekly winner would pick up around £3million and it would feature a shotgun start so each day’s play could be condensed down to a five-hour TV broadcast window. In essence, short and snappy golf.
The PGL did not get off the ground but now the Super Golf League is gaining more traction due to the money on offer.
While details of the SGL formats have not been made public, it would be no surprise to see elements of the PGL proposals included.
It is understood that the cash would be far, far greater with reports recently claiming USA star Bryson DeChambeau is being offered an eye-watering £100million to figurehead the brand.
Ryder Cup hero Ian Poulter has reportedly been offered £22m while Dustin Johnson’s said his offer was ‘not similar’ to the Brit’s, suggesting his incentive is far higher.
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Super Golf League: Who could play in it?
It is understood that basically all of golf’s top players have been made aware of the proposal.
Lee Westwood said it would be a ‘no-brainer’ to secure a multi-million-pound contract at this stage of his career and recently said he has signed a non-disclosure agreement and so can’t discuss his involvement in the SGL.
It would be understandable if players of a similar age were equally tempted by the massive payday or those who would not expect to challenge for the Majors.
At the recent Saudi International event on the Asian Tour (which could well become the SGL under Norman), DeChambeau, Johnson, Poulter, Westwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Sergio Garcia and Tommy Fleetwood were among those teeing it up.
Xander Schauffele, Shane Lowry, Phil Mickelson, Paul Casey, Tony Finau and Patrick Reed also played.
Super Golf League: Who is against it?
Rory McIlroy has lead the arguments against the SGL, describing proposals as a ‘money grab’ and a ‘not so Super League’ for the older generation.
Jon Rahm, Tiger Woods, Collin Morikawa, Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth have also either said or implied they are not interested.
Players have also been warned they face bans from established tours and potentially the Ryder Cup if they were to defect.
Asked ahead of the Genesis Invitational this week about the Super League, McIlroy said: "I don't know if I'm curious, but I guess I'm intrigued who would [play in it]... certainly for the younger guys it just seems a massive risk.
"I can maybe make sense of it for the guys that are getting to the latter stages of their career, for sure.
"I don't think that's what a rival golf league is really going to want, is it? They don't want some sort of league that's like a pre-Champions Tour.
"I understand the financial part of it for guys that are later on in their career. You look at the people that have already said no - Rahm, number one in the world, Collin Morikawa, myself.
"Like you've got the top players in the world are saying no, so that has to tell you something."
Super Golf League: What happens next?
The big question is how many players would actually sign up for it.
The idea would clearly need some big names to figurehead it and a field of around 50 to make the SGL viable and competitive.
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The decision will also likely depend on whether the existing tours will follow through with their threat of bans.
Should the capability of playing in the Majors and key Tour events as well as the SGL arise, players would likely be more interested.