The Original Split: How the 1967 PGA Breakup Shaped Professional Golf—and Set the Stage for Modern Rifts Like LIV

?In recent years, the emergence of LIV Golf has reignited debates around professional golf’s structure, player autonomy, and revenue sharing. This tension echoes a landmark moment in the sport's history: the 1967 split between the PGA of America and what would become the PGA Tour. Much like today’s controversial LIV-PGA divide, this 1967 breakup was born from competing visions of the sport’s future, financial disputes, and a growing desire among top players for greater control. By tracing the story of how golf’s players once wrested independence from the PGA, we can better understand the current challenges and transformations within the game.

The 1967 PGA split was a turning point, reshaping professional golf by addressing many of the issues players confront today with LIV: limited freedom, financial inequities, and a need for player-focused governance. This seminal divide, driven by the dissatisfaction of star players like Jack Nicklaus, laid the foundation for today’s PGA Tour and fundamentally altered how golf would be managed, funded, and televised. This historical split has continued to influence the landscape of professional golf, especially as new entities like LIV test the boundaries of tradition and innovation.

The Background of the PGA and its Dual Role

The Professional Golfers’ Association of America, founded in 1916, originally functioned as a governing body for professional golf tournaments and as an organization supporting club professionals—those who run golf courses, teach the game, and provide golf-related services to the public. In its early years, the PGA was responsible for all aspects of the sport, from tournament organization to promoting the broader development of golf as a recreational activity. Club professionals and touring professionals coexisted under the same organization, with both groups having distinct but complementary roles within the association.

However, as the professional game grew in popularity, the tour professionals—the players who competed regularly on the circuit—began to gain visibility and fan support. Major tournaments, such as the Masters and the U.S. Open, were increasingly watched by large audiences, and the rise of television broadcasts in the 1950s and 1960s further amplified public interest in professional golf. For the touring professionals, golf was a full-time career requiring extensive travel and a commitment to training and competition. Yet, they were often frustrated with the PGA's administration, which prioritized the interests of club professionals over those of touring players.

Growing Tensions and the Players’ Concerns

Throughout the 1950s and early 1960s, a divide grew between the PGA and touring professionals. The club professionals—who held administrative and decision-making positions within the PGA—controlled most aspects of the organization. Touring players were required to abide by PGA rules and pay significant membership dues, yet they felt they had minimal say in matters that directly affected their careers. Many players wanted more autonomy in managing their schedule, higher prize purses, and a larger share of revenue from events. Television rights became a major sticking point, as players were keenly aware of the value broadcasts brought to tournaments. At the same time, much of that revenue went to the PGA rather than the players themselves.

The PGA also enforced stringent rules regarding where and when players could compete. The organization had strict control over tournament participation, limiting players’ ability to appear in non-PGA events. This rigid structure chafed many players, who felt their earning potential and career freedom were restricted.

Arnold Palmer was pivotal in this dispute, although he stayed in the background as long as possible due to his deep connection with the PGA pros like his father. Jack Nicklaus led the charge and sought a more modern, player-centered approach to professional golf. These players advocated for changes, allowing them greater freedom and financial opportunities, especially in light of their role in popularizing the sport. Palmer, Nicklaus, and other prominent players began pushing for an organization that could focus exclusively on the needs of touring professionals, distinct from the broader responsibilities of the PGA.

The Formation of the Tournament Players Division

In 1965, the PGA established the Tournament Players Division READ ON >>> https://www.golfoperatormagazine.com/posts/the-original-split-how-the-1967-pga-breakup-shaped-professional-golf-and-set-the-stage-for-modern-rifts-like-liv