LIV Golf is a blessing. It’s an entertaining recreation and gamers can play anyplace they need. was obligatory The Challenger on the PGA Tour Who monopolized the sport and run by a dictator.
LIV Golf is nothing greater than a good of laundered gamers and those that won’t ever make it within the spherical, all seeking to generate income and now not wish to compete towards the most effective. To not point out its use by Saudi Arabia as a type of “sportswashing” of its horrific human rights historical past.
We’re three occasions on this new mission Headed by Greg Norman And one factor we do know: LIV Golf is as polarizing as something we have seen within the sport.
Both love or hate. There isn’t any center. Not not like the route this nation has taken prior to now decade. We now have develop into American: proper and left. purple and blue; Conspiracy theorists and realists.
Who’s subsequent to leap?:Hypothesis facilities on Cameron Smith, three former Masters champions who’ve jumped into LIV Golf; What about Ricky Fowler?
LIV took the chance to leap into the political divide. Simply take a look at the final occasion, which was held in Donald Trump The membership in Bedminster, NJ, turned the week right into a mini Republican conference with Trump main the circus and making the entire week revolve round him.
Appears like LIV is right here to remain – Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund is not going to go bankrupt. They’ve 5 occasions left this yr, culminating with a $50 million portfolio at Trump’s Doral property in October.
Norman informed The Palm Seashore Publish that the sector of 48 – which might be divided into 12 groups – is ready for subsequent yr, when LIV rebranded itself because the LIV Golf League. LIV’s plan is to promote the groups whereas working every as a separate enterprise.
And extra splits to come back. Rumors are nonetheless swirling about Open Champion Cameron Smith in addition to Hideki Matsuyama and Adam Scott. Some can be a part of earlier than the subsequent LIV occasion that might be performed outdoors Boston this Labor Day weekend.
Here’s a pattern of the response The Publish acquired from its protection of The Startup League (the messages have been edited for content material):
LIV doesn’t deserve protection
Samuel Ray Henry would not suppose LIV is worthy of the area within the sports activities pages and thinks the league might be over quickly. Surprise about The Publish overlaying the LIV occasion outdoors of Portland, Oregon, at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Membership.
“Unsure why you set LIV golf on the entrance web page of your sports activities web page,” he wrote. “I have never seen something or no one within the article on Pumpkin Patch. Most loyal golf fanatics do not care a lot about LIV golf. They’ve bought good conventional golf competitors for a ‘soiled revenue.’ They do not care what occurs subsequent to themselves or the PGA Tour.
“I can see no good cause for knowledgeable golfer to deviate from this league or any journalist writing about them or their tournaments. I see LIV fading out fully in a few years.”
Henry agrees with Martin Slumbers, CEO of R&A Golf in St Andrews, to take away Norman from the occasions main as much as the Open. And Slippers’ view is that LIV “isn’t in the most effective long-term pursuits of the game as a complete and is solely pushed by cash. We imagine it undermines the merit-based tradition and spirit of open competitors that makes golf so particular.”
Kevin Biddle desires to ask Norman harder questions like, “What enterprise mannequin permits you to spend greater than half a billion {dollars} to get workers? The place is the return on funding? And what are his concepts for residing with the tour?”
Mike Baker want to ask Norman: “After watching the open recreation and watching golfers drive a 6 or 7 par 4, do you suppose the LIV golf spherical will lastly go up and begin limiting the golf ball? The PGA Tour clearly would not have the spine to do this” .
John McCauley of Jupiter predicted the lawsuit introduced by gamers not allowed on the PGA Tour. Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau are amongst 11 LIV golfers who’ve sued to problem the suspension of their PGA Tour.
“When you get the Division of Justice concerned, that does not bode nicely,” he wrote. “However even when the courts say these gamers can’t be barred from PGA tournaments, it’s possible that these gamers is not going to be welcomed by those that stay with the PGA and might be handled as outcasts.”
Robert Shea isn’t concerned about studying something about LIV. As an alternative, he desires extra protection of the Honda Basic, which takes place in February on the PGA Nationwide in Palm Seashore Gardens.
“The story ought to assist the native PGA championship and never seize the soulless soiled cash,” he wrote.
Followers will profit from LIV
In the meantime, Napoli’s Sam Chester disagrees with the time period “money snatch” to explain gamers who defected to Liv.
“They don’t seem to be spherical workers and unbiased contractors have made their selection. When you have been provided the place of press director for LIV for $4,000,000 per yr plus all bills paid, you’ll most likely settle for that very quickly. Would that be a ‘seize cash out of your facet? … Golf is a recreation, a sport, not a matter of life or loss of life. There’s a number of bucks for everybody and thousands and thousands of golf fanatics, like me, can solely profit from elevated competitors. “
Peter Degen believes that “PGA and LPGA will evaporate. Cash will rule and gamers could have Saudi cash.” He believes that the emergence of LIV is linked to “the disintegration of the USA as an impressive chief of the world.”
Mike Boyd isn’t glad that gamers like Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy have spoken out towards LIV Golf. Thomas mentioned that any lawsuit by LIV gamers towards the PGA Tour is an assault towards each participant at present collaborating within the Tour.
“Why cannot gamers play in a number of rounds? Does anybody marvel when JT will drop out of the event or when Rory will take a month off from the tour?” Boyd Books. “I imply if the PGA and the gamers are going to get their bins out, let’s maintain these gamers accountable and demand that they play all of the PGA occasions and if that’s too onerous possibly the PGA ought to have fewer occasions! Oh yeah that might by no means occur as a result of it will value them some huge cash!!!”
Frederick Moore agrees with Trump, who’s urging Tour gamers to defect and anticipating an upcoming merger between the LIV and PGA Tour.
“Trump instantly when he mentioned there can be an eventual merger. LIV not too long ago added Howell, Kokrak and broadcaster D., it is just a matter of time earlier than the merger.”
Gary Weiss believes that each golfer has the appropriate to play anyplace he desires, however he should settle for the implications.
He wrote, “I’ve no ailing will for these struggling professionals who, in any other case, are unable to make a residing in any of the ‘conventional’ rounds.” And for many who are already millionaires and know they’re now not aggressive, theirs too. The fitting to promote their souls to the satan for some enormous ‘look payment’ and hope they’ll beat some ‘wannabe’ and get a verify for $4,000,000 or two.
“However, in flip, they need to all be stripped of their PGA/USGA/DP memberships. Hand over any accrued pensions…they may have chosen their lot in life, and lots of, if not all, of them will do nicely. I want them nothing however heartache. Coronary heart because of their choices, I hope the checks bounce…though it is unlikely.”
Tom D’Angelo journalist at Palm Seashore Publish. You’ll be able to attain him at tdangelo@pbpost.com.