Against the Grain: April 24, 2026
🔥 PGA Tour Fires 56 People For “Right-Sizing”
The PGA Tour laid off 56 staff members this week as part of their transition to a “for-profit era.” They’re calling it “right-sizing,” which is corporate speak for “we spent all our cash on signature events and now regular humans have to pay the price.” (source)
Here’s what’s actually happening: The Tour burned through money trying to compete with LIV’s Saudi cash, created a bloated system of signature events that cost a fortune to produce, and now they’re trimming the people who actually make tournaments run. Meanwhile, the top players are guaranteed EIGHT-FIGURE payouts regardless of performance. But sure, let’s fire the operations staff who’ve been there for decades. Nothing says “for-profit” like making the people at the bottom pay for the decisions at the top.
🏊♂️ Michael Brennan Goes Shirtless In Louisiana Swamp
Zurich Classic player Michael Brennan stripped down and waded into a swamp at TPC Louisiana to hit a recovery shot, prompting his partner Johnny Keefer to joke that he “might get a few DMs” afterward. (source)
🎬 Charley Hull Wants Golf To Be “Art” Again
Charley Hull says she prefers the more “artistic” golf from 20-30 years ago and is launching her own YouTube channel to presumably show us how it’s done. She’s not wrong about golf being more creative back then, but starting a YouTube channel to complain about modern golf is peak 2026 energy.
⚡ Ian Poulter Suggests PGA Tour Teams Should Join LIV
Ian Poulter thinks TWO OR THREE PGA Tour teams should play in LIV Golf while simultaneously calling Brooks Koepka’s return a “mercenary” move. The cognitive dissonance is chef’s kiss – wanting more crossover while roasting players for crossing over. Pick a lane, Ian. (source)
🏆 Nelly Korda Is “Freed Up” And That’s Terrifying
Golf.com reports that a “freed up” Nelly Korda at the Chevron Championship is bad news for everyone else in the field. When you’re already dominating women’s golf and then someone says you look “freed up,” that’s basically game over for the competition. (source)
⛳ The PGA Tour’s Hawaiian Swing Is Dead
MyGolfSpy officially declared the PGA Tour’s Hawaiian swing dead this week, and honestly, RIP to one of the last fun stops on the calendar. The Tour keeps consolidating events into signature tournaments on the mainland while killing off the unique venues that made the schedule interesting. First they came for the Hawaiian events, and we said nothing because we were distracted by ELEVATED PURSES.
This is what “modernizing” gets you – fewer cool locations, more corporate sameness, and a schedule that feels like it was designed by a McKinsey consultant who’s never watched golf for fun. The Hawaiian swing wasn’t just about tropical vibes; it was about variety in venues and giving players different challenges. Now it’s just another casualty of the signature event arms race. Remember when tournaments like The American Express offered unique desert challenges? Those days are numbered too. (source)
🚨 Barstool Classic Hit With “Major Cheating Allegations”
The first Barstool Classic of 2026 was rocked by cheating allegations serious enough that Fore Play dedicated an entire podcast episode to it. No word yet on whether anyone actually got caught or if this is just content creation disguised as controversy. (source)
💸 FootJoy Teams Up With ALD For $400 Golf Shoes
FootJoy partnered with Aime Leon Dore for an “elegant spin” on their Premiere Series Marquis shoes. Because what golf really needed was another luxury streetwear collab. Can’t wait to see these on the course next to someone’s Supreme golf towel and Off-White ball marker.
That’s a wrap on another week of golf being absolutely normal and not weird at all. At least the swamp shots are getting more creative. 🐊