It could be that they try to "get rid" of top players to make the competition more feasible, for example by taking away gift cards and putting up some smaller things, and perhaps adding something more worthwhile later, when these top players "forgot about the game", but if they think they'll succeed in fooling them, they're hopelessly naive. I'm pretty sure many of the top players are really smart guys, likely smarter than folks in the WGT management, so good luck with that :)
I'll just say this - when people get used to getting something for free or even earning money, there is no way they will EVER be willing to pay for that same thing, unless forced at a gunpoint or if its something vital. So if and when any meaningful prizes come back to the game, those people will be back too, and plus, being fooled last time they will not buy WGT branded accessories out of respect or promote the game in a wider community, not even mentioning stuff like silly avatars for 300k.
Btw, there are zillions of ways to make the game more affordable and motivating to average/above-average users, like taking less rake and changing prize distributions, especially in country clubs, including more free tournies with meaningful (but still small) prizes that not just superstars and sandbaggers can win, finally, including much more randomness like variable wind, less accuracy, occasional failed shots even if dinged (which, surprise surprise, would actually make the game much more realistic).