Bay Hill broadcast to feature few commercial and more player-caddie chatter

ORLANDO, Fla. — The Arnold Palmer Invitational will have fewer commercials and more emphasis on data and player-caddie interactions as part of a pilot program a key sponsor has endorsed. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan said the move is another response to a “Fan Forward” survey of some 50,000 people who indicated what innovations they wanted to see on the broadcast and on the golf course. “It’s a real credit to Mastercard to be thinking about the presence that they have in the broadcast, their commercial load, and adjusting and doing something that give our fans something they will really enjoy.” Monahan said the tour has not yet reached out to other tournament sponsors but that “it could lead to more” depending on how it goes. As for other innovations, Monahan said the Player Advisory Council was to meet Tuesday afternoon to discuss possible changes to the FedEx Cup finale at the Tour Championship. He said in the Fan Forward survey, 70% said they want to see golf unified gain, and that 32% only wanted to see PIF invest in PGA Tour Enterprises.