Covering the PGA Tour on social media is a minefield, especially if you want to post video. The Tour clamps down hard on content rights, and they don’t hesitate to DMCA anything that steps outside their strict digital boundaries.
That harsh reality hit Grant Horvat, arguably the biggest content creator in golf, on Tuesday. Horvat, a YouTube star with nearly 1.4 million subscribers and millions of views featuring some of the best professional golfers in the world, announced on X that he won’t be playing in the upcoming Barracuda Championship.
Why? The PGA Tour’s media rules prohibit him from filming during tournament play.
Horvat’s invitation to the Barracuda came due to his massive YouTube presence and the unique access he provides to fans. Without the ability to document and share his experience on camera, the whole point of playing loses its meaning.
At least that’s how he feels.
“I know there’s going to be a lot of disappointed people out there. I am disappointed as well, but we’re going to explain exactly why we couldn’t make it happen,” Horvat said.”The reason I will not be playing in a PGA Tour event is due to the rules and regulations involving media rights and filming during tournament play of a PGA Tour event. And basically that means I was not going to be allowed to film my round during tournament play. And for me, personally, doing YouTube for a living and wanting to document everything I do — this is the reason we got the invite in the first place, was because of YouTube and because of the amazing experiences I get to share with you guys.
“But, I am hopeful that sometime in the future we will be able to play in a PGA Tour event — I don’t know what it’ll be, maybe the Barracuda next year — and document and film the entire thing to share with you guys. Because I know what I’d be feeling teeing it up at a PGA Tour event, and boy, would I want that on camera.”
The PGA Tour’s ban on filming during tournament play isn’t new, as most pro sports have similar rules stopping players from running their own camera crews. Bryson DeChambeau’s 2019 Barracuda content was all about behind-the-scenes moments, not actual rounds. But Horvat’s whole channel is built on sharing his competitive rounds live and unfiltered, so these restrictions seemingly hit him way harder.
Horvat’s genuine, fan-first content is exactly the kind of fresh approach the PGA Tour needs to reach new audiences and stay relevant. And this was an opportunity for him to direct his loyal followers straight into Tour coverage. He had a chance to bridge the gap between old-school leagues and new-school fans, especially with incoming PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp emphasizing the need to meet fans where they are.
But Horvat chose to prioritize creative control and his ability to film, much to the dismay of many of his followers.
While he’s sidelined himself from the Barracuda, Horvat will participate in Barstool Sports’ Internet Invitational next month, keeping his audience engaged on his own terms. Whether the PGA Tour adapts or not, digital creators like Horvat are redefining how golf connects with the next generation of fans.
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.