PGA Tour's New Format Continues Evolving, OWGR Taking Its Time and No Consensus on the Rolled-Back Ball

Designated events are working and in 2024 they'll likely have fewer cuts.

We're inching closer to the season's second major (just the AT&T Byron Nelson remains), yet doesn't it feel like we've almost had a full season's worth of big-time golf already?

That's how well the PGA Tour's new designated event system has worked, getting all its best players together nearly every other week since early February (including the Players Championship and Masters). And when someone—er, Rory—hasn't showed up, that's been newsworthy too.

Bob Harig's Weekly Read leads with what the designated events will look like in 2024, while also discussing the latest with LIV and the OWGR, the rolled-back ball debate and more nuggets from the weekend at Wells Fargo and more.

Thanks for reading.

Designated Events Without Cuts Appear Likely Next Year as PGA Tour Refines New Format

Erik Verduzco/AP

The designated event format on the PGA Tour, formed largely as a response to LIV Golf, is here to stay. Among the questions yet to be answered for 2024 are which events will get the nod next year, and how many players will compete in them. Commissioner Jay Monahan said this week that he prefers no-cut designated events, which not every player agrees with. But that horse appears to be out of the barn.

The OWGR Has Never Seen a League Like LIV Golf, and Is Taking Its Time on a Decision

Mike Frey/USA TODAY Sports

LIV Golf has a sense of urgency when it comes to the Official World Golf Ranking. Its players fall in the ranking with every passing week, compromising chances to get into major championships, where many of them still covet chances to show they remain among the world's best. The men on the board of the OWGR, however, do not share that sense of urgency. One may start to wonder if this will ever get resolved.

Rickie Fowler Is the Latest to Speak Out Against a Rolled-Back Ball. His Commissioner Is Staying Quiet.

Chris Carlson/AP

Any rolled-back golf ball under the USGA's proposed "Model Local Rule" wouldn't be put into play until 2026. Right now is the comment period, and oh there are comments. The latest were this week at Wells Fargo, with one prominent player voicing his dissatisfaction with the proposal and another—who holds considerable power in the matter—staying quiet. 

Weekly Read Fore! Things: Steady Xander Schauffele, British Open Spots Secured

Chris Carlson/AP

Bob Harig's Weekly Read Fore! Things always have interesting nuggets, like this one: three players have eight top-10 finishes on the PGA Tour this season. The three are Jon Rahm (of course), Scottie Scheffler (zero surprise) and ... Xander Schauffele? True enough, the Wells Fargo runner-up was his eighth top 10 though none have been wins. One would think that should change before too long.