336: Schedule talk! Breaking down 2027 for the PGA TOUR & LIV Golf

The PGA Tour is on the brink of a seismic transformation with its proposed 2028 two-tiered 'track' system, and The Smiley Show dives deep into the implications. The core idea—splitting the tour into a 120-player 'Track One' (featuring 23 elite events including majors and signature tournaments) and a 140-player 'Track Two' (20 events)—aims to create clearer pathways, better player opportunities, and more competitive balance. The hosts debate whether this structure will finally fix the PGA Tour’s long-standing issues with inconsistent fields and limited access, especially for mid-tier players. They highlight concerns about scheduling conflicts, the potential for audience fragmentation, and the risk of alienating sponsors, while also exploring bold ideas like Amazon or Netflix taking over Track Two broadcasts. The episode culminates in a playful yet insightful renaming of every tournament—turning Valspar into the 'Paint-Off at the Bayou' and the Houston Open into the 'Oil Drill'—as a metaphor for the tour’s need to rebrand its identity. Ultimately, the hosts express cautious optimism: while the system is still unproven, it could finally deliver the long-term growth, player development, and global expansion the sport desperately needs. The conversation also touches on the controversial possibility of the PGA Tour acquiring LIV Golf, a move that could reshape the entire golf landscape.