CME Group Boss Slams LPGA Tour Decision Not To Show Live Third Round Coverage Of Event
The third round of the LPGA Tour's final event of the season, the CME Group Tour Championship, will be shown on a tape delay - which has angered the CME Group CEO


Terry Duffy, whose company sponsors the LPGA Tour’s season-ending event, has called the decision not to show live coverage of the third round of the CME Group Tour Championship, “bulls**t”.
The CEO of the CME Group was clearly not impressed that Saturday’s third round will be shown on a tape delay, from 4-7pm ET on Golf Channel.
When asked for his comments about the LPGA Tour’s decision, the American businessman gave a very short reply.
“That's (BS), isn't it?", stated Duffy to The Palm Beach Post, comments that LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan would have had ringing in her ears.
Samaan speaks to the media prior to the CME Group Tour Championship
CME announced a two-year extension prior to the season-finale to continue sponsoring the event, with Duffy adding: “I think that it's inappropriate for a tournament of this magnitude to be on tape delay.
“I have told Mollie I don't like that. I will leave it in her hands to see where that ultimately ends up.”
The CME Group Championship started on Thursday at Tiburon and the winner will receive $4 million, the largest single prize in women's golf history.
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
The Tour also announced on Wednesday that more than $131m will be distributed in prize money in 2025, the largest in its 75-year history and an increase of $62 million in four years.
Amy Yang won the CME Group Tour Championship in 2023, securing $2 million in the process
Despite this being a significant boost for the women’s game at the top level, the fact that the third round will not be televised live is something of an own goal.
World No.1 Nelly Korda, who has won an incredible seven times this season, agrees: “I think we need primetime TV," said Korda, winner of the 2024 Rolex Player of the Year.
“We need more hours on TV. I mean, we have a great product out here. We have so many amazing stories. We just need to be on primetime TV.”
Nelly Korda at the 2024 LPGA Awards
The PGA Tour's RSM Classic will air live Sunday from 1-4 pm on Golf Channel, where a number of players are battling it out for their playing rights next year.
“If you are going to continue to build women's sports, you have to give them the same billing as men and stop the nonsense of saying we have to show the men's tournament because they're the men,” added Duffy.
It's not the first time Duffy has been left peeved. Two years ago, he said he was “extremely disappointed” when reportedly not a single player turned up to a dinner event hosted by CME Group.
“It’s an embarrassment to a company of my size and an embarrassment to me personally,” he said, two days after the event.
“I am exceptionally disappointed with the leadership of the LPGA. They better get their act together because they’re going to lose people like me over stuff like this.”
Michael has been with Golf Monthly since 2008. A multimedia journalist, he has also worked for The Football Association, where he created content to support the England football team, The FA Cup, London 2012, and FA Women's Super League. As content editor at Foremost Golf, Michael worked closely with golf's biggest equipment manufacturers and has developed an in-depth knowledge of this side of the industry. He's a regular contributor, covering instruction, equipment, travel and feature content. Michael has interviewed many of the game's biggest stars, including seven World No.1s, and has attended and reported on numerous Major Championships and Ryder Cups around the world. He's a member of Formby Golf Club in Merseyside, UK.
-
Let Him Cook! Min Woo Lee's Special Edition Golf Ball Now At Cheapest Ever Price To Celebrate Houston Open Victory
Callaway have marked Min Woo Lee's breakthrough win on the PGA Tour by discounting his limited edition Chrome Tour X golf ball
By Conor Keenan Published
-
Why You Must Visit This Heathland Classic Named After A Desert
Beautifully situated in an idyllic, peaceful location, the heathland course at Beau Desert is a jewel in the Midlands
By Rob Smith Published
-
Augusta National Women's Amateur 2025 Picks, Odds And Predictions
The Augusta National Women's Amateur returns for a sixth time, and many of the leading female players from all over the world will do battle in Georgia
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
T-Mobile Match Play Prize Money Payout 2025
Nelly Korda defends her title as a field of 64 competes for an eye-catching purse at Nevada’s Shadow Creek Golf Club
By Mike Hall Published
-
'I Left Actually A Good Four Shots Out There' - Charley Hull Shoots Career Best LPGA Round But Had A 59 On Her Mind
Charley Hull felt a 59 was on the cards as she shot a career-best 63 at the Ford Championship, but came off the course feeling she'd left at least four shots out there
By Paul Higham Published
-
Charley Hull Makes Driver Change Ahead Of Ford Championship 63
The World No.10 moved into the new TaylorMade Qi35 LS ahead of this week's Ford Championship in Arizona, where she got off to a fast start
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Champions Retreat Golf Club: ANWA Course Designed By Golf's 'Big Three' Legends
Take a closer look at Champions Retreat GC, just 15 miles from Augusta National with a unique design by golfing legends Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and Arnold Palmer
By Paul Higham Published
-
How To Qualify For The Augusta National Women’s Amateur
The Augusta National Women's Amateur is one of the jewels of the women's game, but how do players qualify?
By Paul Higham Published
-
Ford Championship Prize Money Payout 2025
It's the second Ford Championship this week on the LPGA Tour, where there's a $2.25m prize pot up for grabs
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'Shocked' Mimi Rhodes Claims First LET Victory In Fourth Start After Helpful Swing Change
A winner of the 2023 NCAA D1 Women's Golf Championship and the 2024 Curtis Cup claimed her second pro success at the Women's NSW Open on Sunday
By Jonny Leighfield Published