The sport of golf has the chance to grow in ways it never has by bringing men and women together in more professional tournaments throughout the season. Expanding and promoting joint Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Professional Golf Association (PGA) events would do more than elevate the game; it would create new opportunities for every player, shine a brighter light on women’s sports, inspire amateur golfers across the world and ignite excitement and engagement among fans.
What are Joint PGA and LPGA Tournaments, and What Do They Look Like?
So, what is a joint LPGA–PGA event? It’s a tournament where men and women compete together in some capacity—whether that means sharing coverage, playing on the same course, using the same format or even competing for the same prize and trophy.
A great example of a successful joint event is the Grant Thornton Invitational, where men and women from the professional tours pair up and compete in a team-style golf event. Playing together as teammates at the highest level creates fun pairings and really strong PGA and LPGA engagement that fans genuinely enjoy.
Because of golf’s versatility, it is one of the best sports for creating these types of events. The nature of the game allows for different courses and formats, giving it a flexibility that opens the door to countless possibilities for collaboration between the LPGA and PGA.
Competing on the Same Golf Course
One of the most exciting factors shaping these tournaments would be the golf course itself. Depending on the location, a tournament can take on a wide range of personalities. Take the much-loved PGA Tour event, the Farmers Insurance Open, for example. It features a unique format in which the men play two courses, the North and South Courses, over the four-day tournament. A setup like this presents a perfect opportunity for a joint event.
At venues with multiple courses on site, such as Torrey Pines, Pinehurst and Kiawah Island, the men could play one course while the women compete on another. In terms of scoring and prize money, the men and women would still be separate and compete in their own field. So why would this be any different from other tournaments? With both events held at the same location, broadcast coverage could be shared, players could collaborate and connect after their rounds and fans could easily follow both fields.
This type of tournament format would allow fans to see just how talented and competitive the women are and realize that the difference between the tours does not lie in ability, just tee boxes. Watching men and women compete side by side on the most iconic and difficult courses in the world would naturally build more respect, enthusiasm and appreciation for the LPGA. Fans could connect more with the players, just as they do on the PGA, and be more eager to follow their favorites throughout the LPGA season.
Changing Up the Format
Another reason why golf is well suited for joint LPGA-PGA events is its wide range of playable formats. For example, golf is watched professionally through stroke play, match play and team formats such as best ball and alternate shot. There is even the newest addition of indoor professional golf with the creation of Tomorrow’s Golf League (TGL) and now, the WTGL.
Match play is a very exciting format for a potential joint event, especially since the iconic Dell Match Play Tournament was removed after the 2023 PGA Tour season. In a joint LPGA-PGA tournament, it could be set up so the men and women play the same course at the same time while still competing in their own brackets, a LPGA bracket and a PGA bracket. Tee times could alternate, with all of the players on the course at once. Fans would get to watch two brackets unfold simultaneously on the same course with shared coverage, creating an engaging and immersive viewing experience from start to finish.
Another intriguing option when it comes to match play would be having the men and women compete against each other in a single, combined bracket. The women would play from different tees, but that would be the only distinction. Once the tee shots are hit, there is no difference in play between the men and women, making the tournament seamless to watch.
Imagine the matchups: Nelly Korda taking on Scottie Scheffler, or Jeeno Thitikul squaring off against Rory McIlroy, all playing for the same prize money and chasing the same trophy. It’s hard to imagine any fan of the LPGA or PGA not being intrigued by a tournament like that, especially when some of the most electric golf in the world comes from match play rounds in the Solheim Cup, Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup (tournaments only played in a team format).
A tournament like this would have a profound impact on the “men versus women” barrier that is still alive and well in sports today. Imagine women competing alongside the men on the same course, hitting from the same fairways, attacking the same tight pins, putting on the same speedy greens and battling the same wind, weather and pressure. They would be showing, in plain sight, just how powerful, skilled and talented female athletes really are. Honestly, I struggle to think of any other sport that could make that point so clearly.
Nelly Korda shared similar feelings towards her thoughts on the significant impact that men and women playing together could have on the sport. She recently reflected on the missed opportunity of having the PGA and LPGA compete side by side in TGL: “There’s no greater way to grow the game, and it would have been revolutionary. It would have been the first time, I think, that men and women are on the same playing field, playing for the same exact amount of money.” And she is absolutely right.
Playing these joint PGA and LPGA tournaments would not just be about sharing a course and TV coverage. It would be about changing the way people see female athletes around the world and across the entirety of sports. Golf has this rare, almost magical ability to do that, and I think it is a missed opportunity if we do not give it the chance.
What Impact Would These Tournaments Have on the Game of Golf?
Playing alongside the men on the PGA Tour would be an incredible opportunity for LPGA players, giving more people the chance to see the talent and personality women bring to the game of golf. The LPGA is not as popular as the PGA right now, but that gap has nothing to do with skill.
The difference stems from factors such as historical market dominance and significantly greater television exposure in the men’s game. Because of that, more fans watch PGA events, connect with the players and follow tournaments week after week. With lower television coverage and smaller fan attendance compared to the PGA, the LPGA does not have access to the same revenue streams.
These revenue streams are essential for growth, whether that means expanding the number of tournaments worldwide, increasing total purses or improving the overall player and fan experience at events. Adding more joint LPGA–PGA tournaments throughout the season could help improve the LPGA’s revenue streams and help the tour grow in many ways.
Thinking outside of revenue streams and monetary impacts, adding more joint LPGA and PGA tournaments throughout the season would create a profound ripple effect for amateur golfers around the world. From kids and teenagers to rising stars and even retirees, golfers are constantly watching their favorite professionals for both inspiration and guidance. Seeing men and women compete side by side on the same course would send a powerful message to young golfers around the world.
That kind of visibility could inspire amateurs to play together in mixed groups, feel more included and develop a lifelong love for the game. Growing up, young men and women would compete, learn and improve side by side, developing their skills together in a way you rarely see in other sports. By bringing professionals together at the highest level, golf can continue to build a culture of inclusivity, respect and passion that goes far beyond the tour itself.
Give Golf the Chance
Golf is a sport that demands respect, and that is exactly why we love it. We watch because we know it’s difficult and requires precision and mental strength. Now imagine this: men and women side by side showcasing their mastery of the sport at the highest level in joint LPGA-PGA tournaments. The best in the world, pushing each other, inspiring everyone who watches. This can happen, we just have to let it.
Let men and women compete together. Let fans see their talent as equal. Let it prove that men and women can compete together, fiercely, and still raise the bar. Let it silence the skeptics. And most of all, let it inspire the next generation to dream bigger, play harder and believe that anything is possible.
Give golf the chance, and it will not just entertain, it will transform. It will challenge assumptions. It will redefine what competition looks like. And, along the way, it will bring pure joy, excitement and fun to fans everywhere. Golf can do this, so let it.
