Jack Nicklaus is one of the most well-known, distinguished golfers the sport has ever seen. With his standing within the sport, he would be able to have some sway over potential tournaments and other PGA happenings. Recently, the PGA has proposed a tour to the schedule that would have a significant impact on Nicklaus’ annual Memorial Tournament. Fortunately, Nicklaus seems open and receptive to change.
The Memorial
The Memorial has been played since 1976 at the Muirfield Village course Nicklaus himself designed. The course has hosted 41 straight Memorial Tournaments, in addition to a slew of other important tournaments, such as the ’87 Ryder Cup and 2013 Presidents Cup. Part of the proposed compromise is that the PGA Championship would be held at Muirfield Village.
Proposed Changes
The changes being discussed go as follows –
- The Players Championship would be moved from early May to March. It was played in March through 2006.
- The PGA Championship would be moved to the date previously occupied by the Players Championship. The PGA has been the last major championship on the schedule since 1916, but this would no longer be the case.
- The Open would become the last major championship
- The FedEx Cup playoff series would be finished by Labor Day.
Why Nicklaus won’t Block a Change
Nicklaus said, “We’re willing and more than happy to try to help and work with that, which is what I told (PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan) earlier. My feeling is wherever we can help, we’ll try to be a part of it…Whatever is best for the game of golf and however it works, I’m more than happy to talk about it and try to do it.”
Nicklaus also supports the idea that the majors would be a little closer together, with one being held each month beginning in June.
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