The 2024 Creator Classic golf tournament was a highly entertaining and competitive event, bringing together an exciting mix of YouTubers, golf influencers, and professional athletes at East Lake Golf Club. It was a pioneering event for the PGA tour, becoming the first time it had invested in YouTube golf and further solidified the ever-merging worlds of online content creation and professional sport.
The event saw players compete over the back 9 holes at East Lake, under a stroke play format. The top four, after 8 holes, would go head-to-head in a sudden death playoff on the 18th. If there was a tie after the 8 holes, a chipping competition around the 17th green would have decided the four finalists. In the case of a tie after the sudden death 18th, they would play the hole again before going to a chip-off around the 18th green to decide who comes out victorious.
The star-studded 16 player lineup featured the likes of Wesley Bryan, Roger Steele, Paige Spiranac, and Tyler Toney from Dude Perfect making appearances. The event was marked by a combination of impressive skill and light-hearted antics. Former PGA Tour member Wesley Bryan led for much of the tournament, displaying his usual golf prowess, while Luke Kwon emerged as the standout player. Kwon, who is also a content creator known for his golf-themed YouTube channel, clinched the title in a thrilling four-man playoff against Bryan, Steele, and Sean Walsh. Kwon’s clutch six-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole secured his win, making him the first-ever winner of the Creator Classic. His victory was the highlight of the tournament, proving that Kwon’s talents extend beyond just creating golf content and he can perform when under pressure.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Tyler Toney had a rough day. Known for his impressive trick shots with Dude Perfect, Toney struggled in the traditional format, finishing at the bottom of the leaderboard with a score of 10-over-par.
Other notable performances included Steele’s stunning 55-foot birdie putt, one of the standout moments of the tournament, and Spiranac’s solid play, which earned her a respectable 9th place finish. As always, the event balanced serious competition with light-hearted fun, which is exactly what makes it so appealing to fans.
The 2024 Creator Classic was praised for its combination of high production value and fan engagement. With creators live-streaming their rounds and interacting with fans in real-time, the event felt immersive and interactive, making viewers feel like they were part of the action. The use of drones, slow-motion replays, and on-course interviews also gave the tournament a professional polish that matched its growing reputation.
For context, Sean Fairholm of MyGolfSpy pointed out that the LIV Greenbrier had 168k viewers for a duel between Rahm and Koepka. When Kwon was putting for the victory, more than 118,000 viewers were watching live on YouTube. If you consider the additional ESPN+ audience on top of everyone who watched the event on-demand, the Creator Classic likely superseded the LIV audience. YouTube golf events are well and truly on the rise, and these figures would strongly suggest they are here to stay.
It hasn’t just been a success from a fans point of view though. Spiranac also highlighted “There’s really no place for our followers to watch us in person, so to have this opportunity for us to be together in a competitive setting where they can see all of us at the same time is unlike anything we ever expected. I think it’s special for us and special for them. It’s just been a crazy, amazing experience.”
Looking ahead to 2025, fans are already buzzing about what next year’s event might hold. With the Creator Classic growing in popularity, there’s speculation that more big-name creators and athletes could join the lineup. Viewers are also hoping for even more creative challenges and unconventional twists on traditional golf, which could add an extra layer of excitement.
Overall, the 2024 Creator Classic was a resounding success, blending serious golf with the spontaneous world of digital content creation. Whether you watched for the impressive golf on offer, or the entertaining personalities, the event offered something for everyone. With Luke Kwon as the reigning champion and a bright future ahead for the tournament, the Creator Classic is set to become a staple in the world of sports and online entertainment.
