Report: PGA Tour Pros Skip Player Meeting On Limited Field, No Cut Events
A report suggests several players opted to skip the meeting amid controversy over the implications of the changes


A player meeting outlining changes to certain designated events on the PGA Tour was reportedly hit by a number of players who decided to skip the gathering.
According to the Golf Channel, around 50 PGA Tour members attended the meeting at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse ahead of the Players Championship, which was held to clarify changes that will see some designated events become limited-field, no-cut affairs. However, it suggested several players skipped the meeting, with Notah Begay saying the timing wasn't good.
🚨Golf Channel reporting that several players were missing from this morning’s player meeting. Discussing why didn’t the meeting occur prior to announcing the changes - Notah Begay says the timing of the meeting was not good. 👀March 7, 2023
There have been complaints that the big-money events will only be accessible to the Tour’s top players. Meanwhile, James Hahn went further, saying he hated the changes and suggested the real reason they were being implemented was to offer more money to the big players.
It was later revealed that Hahn was one of the players absent from the meeting, which drew a response from one of the most vocal proponents of the changes, Rory McIlroy, who called out the World No.305. McIlroy reportedly said: "Like, you say all this s***and you’re not even in the meeting? If you want to get informed and be a part of the process - the fact that he wasn't even in the room was a slap in the face to everyone there."
Another absentee was World No.1 Jon Rahm, who explained that family commitments, rather than any issue with the changes, prevented him from attending. He said: “Listen, when they told me it was at 7.30, and I didn't really have anything else to do until 10.00, I was going to take my time to be with my kids in the morning. I wasn't sleeping; I was playing with my kids. So I haven't spoken to anybody. I know it was quite lengthy, but I don't really know what happened. And I don't even know who was there or who wasn't.”
Despite some players apparently skipping the meeting for other reasons McIlroy felt it achieved its aims. He said: “I think when more information and data was presented to them, the people that maybe had reservations about it I think came around, or at least were more informed on their opinions, right. I think the temperature in the room was nowhere near as hot as I anticipated it to be once the information was sort of laid out.”
Nevertheless, according to the Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis, the Northern Irishman also admitted there is friction among some players regarding the changes. Asked if the Tour was unified, McIlroy said: "No. There are some angry players about the Tour changes".
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.
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
'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
-
College Golf Star Gordon Sargent Left Out Of Vanderbilt Line-Up Months Before Taking Up PGA Tour Card
The Vanderbilt Commodores player will not compete in the Valspar Collegiate after failing to break the top 50 in 2025 so far
By Mike Hall Published
-
Rory McIlroy’s Caddie Harry Diamond May Have Earned Almost $900,000 In Bonus Money Already This Year (More Than The PGA Tour Average) After World No.2's Strong Start
McIlroy has picked up two wins so far in 2025 and could well have shared a decent portion of his winnings with long-time assistant, Diamond
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'I Can't See Why Anybody Wouldn't Want To Do This' - Padraig Harrington Outlines Reasons Rory McIlroy Will 'Likely' Change His Damning Verdict On Playing Senior Golf
After Rory McIlroy recently said he would never play senior tour golf, Padraig Harrington explained why he thinks the World No.2 could well change his mind
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Impressive Players Championship TV Ratings Show Rory McIlroy Is Golf's Needle Mover
McIlroy's victory at The Players Championship drew an increase in viewership over 2024, with his recent victories on the PGA Tour showing that he could well be the new needle mover
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Rory McIlroy Adds New Event To Pre-Masters Schedule
McIlroy will make his debut in the Houston Open next week, the World No.2 has confirmed
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reunited With Old Clubs After Near $1000 Uber Ride
The four-time Major winner switched back to his old clubs at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, with the Uber trip to get them costing a near $1000
By Matt Cradock Published
-
College Golfer Apologizes After Being Removed From TPC Sawgrass For Heckling Rory McIlroy
University of Texas golfer, Luke Potter made a comment to McIlroy during Tuesday's practice round which caused the World No.2 to take his phone
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Something Went Terribly Wrong If I Have To Compete At 50' - Rory McIlroy Categorically Rules Out Playing Senior Tour Golf
Asked about his long-term plans, the Northern Irishman insisted he would not be visiting the Champions Tour once he's retired from pro golf
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Rory McIlroy Reveals Multiple Equipment Changes At Arnold Palmer Invitational
The Northern Irishman has made a number of tweaks to his gear setup ahead of this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational
By Jonny Leighfield Published