Portnoy Says Duke's 2027 Eligibility Undecided

Dave Portnoy said no decision has been made on whether The Duke will compete in the 2027 Internet Invitational after calls for him to sit out.

Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Golf

Dave Portnoy said Wednesday no decision has been made on whether The Duke will compete in the 2027 Internet Invitational after fans urged him to sit out. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Dave Portnoy said Wednesday that no decision has been made on The Duke's eligibility for the 2027 Internet Invitational. The comments followed calls from some YouTube golf fans for The Duke to sit out next year after his poor play in Episode 5.

Why it matters

The Duke's Episode 5 performance eliminated Ryan Ruffels and Marissa Wenzler, two of the strongest players in the field. Whether he returns affects the competitive balance of a golf event that pays a top prize of $1.3 million to the winner.

The Duke's Episode 5 play eliminated Ryan Ruffels and Marissa Wenzler, and he has been the field's weakest player for two years. The 2027 eligibility decision has not been made, and no timeline for a ruling has been given.

The players

Dave Portnoy

Dave Portnoy is the founder of Barstool Sports and a prominent media figure who helps run the Internet Invitational.

The Duke

The Duke is a golfer and internet personality who competes in the Internet Invitational and has been among its weakest players.

The details

Portnoy spoke at a press podium Wednesday in response to fans calling for The Duke to sit out 2027 after Episode 5. He said Bob and Fore Play would value a decision on The Duke's eligibility, though he does not make the invitation list and does not invite or disinvite players.

Wednesday: Portnoy addresses calls for The Duke's removal at a press podium.
2027: The Duke's eligibility for the Internet Invitational remains undecided.

Season Trajectory

The Internet Invitational's invitation list, which Dave Portnoy says he does not control, determines who competes each year. The Duke's 2027 status tests how that process handles a participant whose play has weakened the competitive field.

The eligibility decision determines whether The Duke is in the 2027 field, which changes the roster of players fans can follow next season. No ruling has been announced, so the field's makeup remains open.

The takeaway

Fans following the Internet Invitational should track future announcements on the 2027 field, since The Duke's status remains open. A confirmed roster will show whether the event's competitive balance shifts after Episode 5's eliminations.