The Dark Side of the PGA Tour w/ Ryan French

Join Matt Cook with guests Brent Grant and Ryan French as they dive into the PGA Tour's earning assurance program and the complications of the $500,000 advance. They discuss tax implications, responsibilities, and the impact on players like Taylor Montgomery. The conversation covers proposed changes in payment and tax structures, power dynamics, Monday qualifiers, and the disparity between the Tour's narrative and reality. They also analyze media influence, feel-good stories, and Tiger Woods' impact. Brent Grant shares insights on the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, concluding with a look at the Tour's darker aspects. (0:00) Introduction and welcome; Guests Brent Grant and Ryan French (1:24) PGA Tour's earning assurance program and $500,000 advance issues (7:06) Tax implications and responsibilities (17:28) PGA Tour's handling of tax situation and player impact (30:28) Taylor Montgomery's situation and PGA Tour's reputation (34:01) Proposals for payment and tax changes; Tour structure (42:57) Power dynamics and Monday qualifiers (50:14) Competition limits and PGA Tour's narrative vs. reality (54:40) Media influence and importance of feel-good stories (57:43) Sentiments on PGA Tour's direction and Tiger Woods' influence (59:39) Brent Grant's perspective on PGA Tour and LIV Golf irony (1:02:32) Conclusion: The dark side of the PGA Tour and closing remarks