• Loading stock data...
Monday, March 9, 2026

PGA Tour Moves to Protect Players From ‘Ambush Marketing’

  • The Tour is changing its player endorsement policy.
  • The goal is to stop competing sponsors from getting “free ride.”
PGA Tour making changes.
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports

The PGA Tour is making a pivotal change to its “player endorsement policy” this season to protect itself and its players from ambush marketing.

With the PGA Tour entering the second year of corporate combat against rival LIV Golf, it wants to ensure sponsors from competing tours don’t get a “free ride,” according to golf law correspondent John Nucci.

Under the heading “Competing Tours,” the new regulation warns: “In order to protect the financial interest of the membership as a whole, and so as not to allow others to freeride on the PGA Tour’s platform, no players may display on his bag, person or otherwise the marks or indicia of any entity or brand that operates, sanctions, sponsors, funds and/or co-sanctions unauthorized tournaments or teams participating in unauthorized tournaments without prior written permission of the PGA Tour.”

Golf bag leaning on PGA Tour signage

PGA Tour Increases Purse Sizes, Alters Format In Response to LIV

The PGA Tour changed its designated events format to retain top talent.
March 2, 2023

Many of LIV’s biggest stars have lost lucrative corporate endorsements after jumping to the Saudi-backed golf circuit.

They include Phil Mickelson (KPMG, Heineken, and Workday), Dustin Johnson (Royal Bank of Canada), Bryson DeChambeau (Rocket Mortgage), and Lee Westwood (UPS).  

In February, LIV announced its first corporate sponsors at its season-opening tournament in Mexico.

Commerce company EasyPost was announced as a global partner of the rebel golf league. The company also sponsors LIV Star Patrick Reed.

The upstart LIV operated without any formal sponsors in 2022 while spending an eye-popping $784 million to challenge the established PGA Tour. 

The PGA Tour declined to comment on this story. LIV reps could not be reached.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Neal Shipley: From Playing With Tiger to PGA Tour Growing Pains

Shipley tells FOS he’s embracing his first year of PGA Tour membership.
[US, Mexico & Canada customers only] Feb 6, 2026; Riyadh, SAUDI ARABIA; Jon Rahm in action during the third round of play at LIV Golf Riyadh at the Riyadh Golf Club.

Jon Rahm Accuses DP World Tour of ‘Extorting’ LIV Golf Players

Rahm is still feuding with the tour over his membership status.
Greg Norman

LIV’s Post-Greg Norman Shakeup Continues

Two executives have assumed roles held by Norman and another former official.

Featured Today

Alex Eala Has Become One of the Biggest Draws in Tennis

Eala will face Coco Gauff in the third round at Indian Wells.
Jun 9, 2021; Paris, France; The racket of Coco Gauff (USA) after she smashed it during her match against Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) on day 11 of the French Open at Stade Roland Garros
March 6, 2026

The ‘Rage Room’ Is the Hottest Place in Tennis

The idea came from a player podcast.
March 5, 2026

Mark DeRosa Is Still Baseball’s Swiss Army Knife

DeRosa is the sport’s utility player both on the field and off.
Nicole Silveira
March 3, 2026

The Tattoo Marking Membership in the Most Exclusive Club in Sports

For athletes, the Olympic rings tattoo is “about everything it took.”

UFC Sets White House Fight Card Despite Expected Loss

The high-profile event in Washington will definitely lose money.
March 8, 2026

NFL Teams Armed With Record Cap Space Set to Enter Free Agency

An elevated salary cap and available talent will fuel robust spending.
March 8, 2026

World Baseball Classic’s Energy Is Winning Over MLB Stars

The Tigers ace considers remaining in the international tournament.
Sponsored

From USWNT Star to NWSL Franchise Founder

Leslie Osborne, former USWNT midfielder, shares how athletes are moving from the pitch to the ownership table.
San Jose Sharks
March 7, 2026

Pride Tape, Briefly Banned on NHL Ice, Is Bigger Than Ever

Rainbow tape sales are spiking thanks to ‘Heated Rivalry’ and the NHL.
Sep 5, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots the ball against the Seattle Storm at Climate Pledge Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
March 6, 2026

Union VP Breanna Stewart Addresses Leaked WNBPA Letter

The WNBA has set a March 10 deadline to reach an agreement.
Mar 15, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Jontay Porter (34) points to a spot as he controls the ball against Orlando Magic center Wendell Carter Jr. (34) during the second half at Scotiabank Arena.
March 6, 2026

Jontay Porter Is Banned From the NBA. He’ll Play Pro Basketball Saturday

Porter will start for the Seattle Superhawks, the team’s coach tells FOS.
TGL Jupiter
March 6, 2026

Tiger’s TGL Wrapping Season 2 With a Bang—and a Hole-In-One

The indoor team golf league is preparing for its playoffs.