The PGA of America confirmed that from '19, the U.S. PGA Championship will move from August to May, according to James Corrigan of the London TELEGRAPH. So from traditionally being the last major, it will soon be the second, "meaning the Open Championship will be the season's final shot at glory." But while the governing bodies that control the four majors were "coming to terms with a radically remodelled landscape," the PGA Tour and European Tour were "scrambling to emphasise the positives." While they happen to have "plenty" for the U.S. circuit -- which had a "huge influence in this dramatic overhaul" -- the negatives "could line for the European Tour." And the "biggest drawback" could be the wish of Rory McIlroy and others to have the campaign "done and dusted" by the end of September. McIlroy said, "I think it's great for the golf schedule. Just from a player's perspective, to now have one really big tournament every month -- the Players in March, the Masters in April, the [U.S.] PGA in May, the U.S. Open in June, the Open in July and to have the FedExCup most likely finishing at end of August -- just has a better flow to it" (TELEGRAPH, 8/8). In London, Ewan Murray reported PGA of America CEO Pete Bevacqua said on Tuesday that "television markets in general are stronger in May." The game's top players are "supportive, apparently to a man." And yet, the "initial motivation to change the schedule came from an external source." Bevacqua said, "It's in the best interests of the championship. We feel it's in the best interests of the players who play in the PGA Tour, the [U.S.] PGA Championship, around the world, and maybe most importantly for our organization, it makes the most sense to our members." There "remain some unknowns." March currently has two World Golf Championships and the same number of high-profile tournaments in Florida, "which cannot all survive with the Players soon to be factored in" (GUARDIAN, 8/9).
