Jason Day says PGA Tour is now two tours in one and best players have been separated from the rest

Only six of the world’s top 25 players will be at an event Tiger Woods won eight times as the profound impact of LIV on the PGA Tour plays out in real time.

Outgoing LIV boss Greg Norman declared he’s “changed the game of golf more than what people realise” and Jason Day says the impact has even created a haves and have-nots US PGA Tour with too few events where the best players are regularly present.

Aiming for a third career win at Torrey Pines this week, where only six of the world’s top 25 players are competing in an event Tiger Woods won eight times and “everyone” used to play, Day said changes to the PGA Tour prompted by LIV’s emergence, including eight $30m signature events, had produced ”two tours within a tour”.

He said only a dramatic reduction in events could stop more potential defections.

Tiger Woods 🤝 Torrey Pines pic.twitter.com/qnPkjFlwmj

— Australian Golf Digest (@GolfDigestAU) January 21, 2025

Day, the former world No.1 who’s adamant he’s “preparing myself for another run” at the top, conceded he tried to “keep my mouth shut” amid stalled negotiations between the PGA Tour and LIV’s Saudi backers over a framework agreement to set the game’s future up.

But the 36-year-old said it was clear the best players were playing together less in the changed landscape and the bulk of the 10-month PGA Tour season was not featuring elite fields.

“There are two tours within a tour now if you could understand that,” Day said.

“You have the top guys playing the signature events and you have the other side of it too.

“I think that just happened purely because of the way LIV came about.

“And it’s unfortunate but ultimately that’s what we’re dealing with now.

“I just don’t know where they’re even taking it. I just keep my head down, I keep my mouth shut and try and play good golf.”

Greg Norman acknowledges the crowd on the 12th hole during LIV Adelaide. Picture: Asanka Ratnayake/Getty Images

Players like Rory McIlroy have started their 2025 campaigns in Dubai, playing lucrative DP World Tour events, and Day said there was only one answer to get the best back together more often than the eight signature events, four majors and this year, the Ryder Cup.

“Ultimately … if you wanted everyone to play in a tournament, you have to shrink the schedule down dramatically,” he said.

Norman, who is no long LIV chief executive and commissioner but will maintain a spot on the board, told Australian Golf Digest the real legacy of his time with the breakaway circuit was finally starting to be felt.

“When I look back on my past 3½ years, from my past 20 years, oh my gosh, I really have changed the game of golf more than what people realise,” he said.

Originally published as Jason Day says PGA Tour is now two tours in one and best players have been separated from the rest