A lack of big PGA Tour names in the field has taken some of the kick out of this week’s Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines, a tournament Tiger Woods won a staggering seven times.
A number of the world’s top 10 opted to skip this year’s edition of the event, and a flurry of late withdrawals has raised questions about the players’ ability to pick and choose the events in which they wish to participate.
Ludvig Åberg currently sits joint top of the halfway leaderboard but he’s one of the few elite players on show.
While these withdrawals provide opportunities for young players to make a name for themselves, the notable absentees are becoming more regular – not a great look as the PGA vs LIV debate continues.
World No. 1, Scottie Scheffler, is still recovering from a freak injury he picked up before the start of the 2025 season.
But four-time Major winner, Rory McIlroy, has decided not to participate in the event due to wanting to reduce his 2025 schedule.
There were several late withdrawals from marquee players with many not offering a reason for pulling out of the event.
Collin Morikawa, Nicolai Hojgaard, Will Zalatoris, MacKenzie Hughes and Akshay Bhatia were among the fan favourites to withdraw their position in the tournament at the eleventh hour as 11 players made a last-minute change of plans.
Spectators have travelled and bought expensive tickets to the stunning Southern Californian course, raising the question as to whether a LIV event would offer more stars at greater value.
As only six of the world’s top 25 players took to the stage at Torrey Pines, a tournament that meant so much to the great Woods, it’s evident that the lack of progress between both tours in forging the future is having detrimental effects on events rich with heritage.
Former World No. 1, Jason Day, suggested in his press conference before the event that it was clear the rift has meant the elite are playing less on the PGA Tour.
“There are two tours within a tour now if you could understand that,” explained the Australian.
“You have the top guys playing the Signature events and you have the other side of it too (events where they are absent). I think that just happened purely because of the way LIV came about and it’s unfortunate but ultimately that’s what we’re dealing with now.”
Day added that the lure of having the best of the best present made for a better atmosphere at Tour events.
“When Tiger was playing and winning, it was the event to come to because of not only how big the tournament was, but what he brought to the event as well, the crowds were huge” added Day.
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