Dave Portnoy says no decision has been made on whether The Duke returns for the 2027 Internet Invitational. The Barstool founder addressed it in a video posted Wednesday, one day before the $4 million finale.
Calls to drop The Duke grew after Episode 5. He played on a team with Ryan Ruffels and Marissa Wenzler, and the trio was eliminated in the semifinals in an alternate shot format.
Portnoy said the decision isn’t only his to make.
“We’ll see. I don’t think a decision has been made on that either way,” Portnoy said. “I don’t think I have enough input where I’m like ‘we absolutely can’t have this guy anymore.’ I think Bob and Fore Play would value that. But for the billionth time, I do not make the list. I don’t invite people. I don’t disinvite people.”
RELATED: Internet Invitational Episode 5: Duke Apologizes to Ruffels and Marissa
Barstool Sports and Bob Does Sports organize the event. Fore Play is Barstool’s golf podcast.
Portnoy also brought up how close The Duke came to a winner’s share. “To be honest with you, if The Duke won $1.3 million dollars, he’d probably be dead,” he said. “Like, he wouldn’t be able to take that much money.”
After Episode 5, The Duke apologized to his teammates on Instagram. “And yes sorry Marissa; I owe you 1.3 million as well,” he wrote. “You were the best Ladies Golfer there this year.”
Portnoy defended both players on X before Wednesday’s video.
He wrote that Wenzler and The Duke both played well below their averages, and that this is why the team lost. “Duke wasn’t the auto L some people are saying,” he posted.
RELATED: 2026 Internet Invitational Prize Money Payout: $4 Million Purse, $1.33 Million Per Winner
Not everyone agreed. One post about The Duke went viral after Episode 5.
The Duke has been the weakest player in the Internet Invitational field both years. His swing has drawn attention from the pros, like Kevin Kisner.
The finale airs Thursday at 1 p.m. ET. Team Big John and Team FP will play for the $4 million purse.
