AUGUSTA, Ga. -- Masters week kicked off Monday with a busier-than-normal feel at Augusta National Golf Club ahead of the 90th playing of the tournament. Monday of tournament week is typically quiet as players and patrons arrive for the first time. Last year’s Monday was a near total washout due to heavy rain in the area.
But with a near-perfect weather forecast for the week and a wide-open tournament, ANGC was buzzing with anticipation. Particularly packed was the area under the massive oak tree behind the clubhouse, where many of golf’s top executives are seen throughout the week.
Two main themes emerged through conversations with industry sources: The impending changes to the PGA Tour’s schedule and TGL’s upcoming media rights negotiations.
To date, only one tournament, the American Express, has been confirmed for the 2027 PGA Tour season. The belief is that there are a number of possibilities for the first portion of the schedule.
Sony could potentially return on a one-year deal for the Sony Open, and the season could begin at the AmEx. The tour also could begin its 2027 campaign at Torrey Pines, which sources believe is likely to land Sentry as a new sponsor. The tour is expected to confirm more tournament dates in the coming weeks, though the once vast changes to the schedule now aren’t believed to be enacted until 2028.
Also up for debate Monday was where TGL’s next media rights contract lands. Most sources posited that the league should push to re-sign with ESPN for its wider visibility. Another option is Golf Channel and USA Sports, which could pick up both TGL and the newly launching WTGL. TMRW Sports CEO Mike McCarley told SBJ recently he’d prefer the two leagues to be bundled on one network, but would be open to splitting them up.
Among the executives seen on Monday: USA Sports’ Matt Hong and Golf Channel’s Tom Knapp having lunch on the clubhouse veranda; CBS analyst and Masters winner Trevor Immelman donning his Green Jacket and having lunch with his family; Excel Sports Management’s Mark Steinberg, Lance Young, Alex Burge and Andrew Kipper; Sportfive’s Mike Harmon, Jeremy Elliott, Tommy Riehle and Ben Harrison; LIV Golf team managers Jeff Koski, Peter Davis and Carlos Rodriguez; P3 Sports Reps’ Peter Webb; Pro Sport Management’s Jens Beck; Callaway Golf’s Jacob Davidson and Joe Toulon.
Also spotted: WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert; WME’s Jay Danzi; Outlyr’s Andy Bush; former USGA president Fred Perpall; Augusta member Jimmy Dunne chatting with Rory McIlroy Inc.’s Sean O’Flaherty and Niall O’Connor; new PGA of America CEO Terry Clark.
Kai Trump, who’s signed to play college golf at Miami, was seen under the oak tree alongside GSE Worldwide’s Brett Falkoff. GSE is managing Trump.
