It’s time to Golf up!
Endorsed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the organizers of the LIV Golf Series have pledged $2 billion into the new league that has started to send shockwaves towards the crescendo of the sport that is the PGA. Marquee names and major champions such as — Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia among others have already made the move, costing them their place on the PGA Tourdespite the fact they were participants of the US Open last weekend won by 27 year-old American Matt Fitzpatrick.
It was an enrapturing finish, that saw the coveted 18th hole adjudicating the proceedings between him and runner-up in fellow American Will Zalalatoris. The apprehension concluded with Fitz’s hole in one off a faraway bunker shot. At this rate with his competitors bolting for LIV, it could be one of many for the youngster who hadn’t reached the top five in any major PGA championship, despite success on the European tour. In an astonishing turn of events, it was announced after the tournament that four-time major champion Brooks Koepka would make the controversial switch that to a league that has been cited as a “Threat to golf” by the PGA, who have felt incriminated by LIV to the point where the once heralded tour schedule is now being revoked, with the arrant overhaul expected for the 2023 campaign.
The consensus motive for the “LIVers” is money, as they’ll now be able to make more cash than ever before playing the sport they love. For the 52 year-old Mickelson, it was a no-brainer as the storied golfer was making $400 million in PGA money for his career, but will now make $200 million outright going forward. For Dustin Johnson, he’ll get an opportunity to double the career money he’s made in winnings at $74.2 million, and will now consume $125-150 million in LIV Golf earnings.
Even Bryson DeChambeau admitted his was a “business decision, first and foremost”, essentially saying “Money talks”, despite the fact his sponsor Rocket Mortgage dumped him after he announced the move, but has been continuously supported by lucrative Rolex, Bentley, and Netjets. Bryson will make 10 times as much as he did on the tour with LIV, as his stock transcended from $10 million to $100 million with his new deal in his new venture.
As for the Spaniard Sergio Garcia, he views this as an opportunity to make a name for himself in weaker conference since he’s been unable to maximize his potential on the PGA tour. However, Sergio is a Ryder Cup winner and was the presumptive captain for the next one until now, for his enraged PGA teammates likely won’t confound him of the prestigious honor after his “incensed” change of heart.
It’s the same for Ian Poulter who has digressed on the PGA tour, but for European golf fans he will always be known as ‘”Mr Ryder Cup” after some memorable performances in the annual tournament. Considering his salary drops from $60 million to $30 million with his LIV deal, it looks as if he’s hoping the change of green and the slice of dollars now, will win him big bucks in the future.
In response to simply being being Golf’d by LIV, the PGA tour is hoping to pour an extra $20 million in each of at least eight events, and have even created three new global tournaments worth $25 million each in prize money with no pre—final elimination as they look to entice remaining players on the fringe, to remain on their side of the fence. Additionally , the tour will be returning to a calendar-year schedule similar to the tennis players on the ATP instead of the misconceived wraparound slate currently in affect. In recent years, top players have filed complaints saying their wasn’t a “True offseason”, and if they didn’t continue in the fall after a grueling summer slate, their ranking would slip significantly come their desired return to play on January 1st. LIV has rapidly signed, sealed and lauded eight of the top 50 players in the world, accumulating with room for 48 men per tournament and no cuts until the final day.
Nearly 2,500 9/11 community members though took a stand against LIV, and thanked the ones who remained on the Americanized tour. “Thank you for reminding the people of the world we should never forget”, the statement from the coalition read. “Thank you for standing up for decency, and doing what’s right.” ”For more than 20 years the 9/11 community has sought the accountability and justice from the kingdoms of Saudi Arabia for their role in the attacks... the Saudis have blood on their hands and no amount of sportswashing should clean that up for them.”
So to put things lightl in patriotic terms, this just got political which isn’t what you want interwining with sports no matter how intriguing this race for Tour golf supremacy may be. Personally, while the letter places significant pressure on those undecided players, you wonder how alarming this is to the USA government and their support in sports leagues, but obviously that’s another topic for another time and hope is we don’t need to go there.
The PGA is looking for a revelation in wake of one right outside their door, expanding to inviting the top 60 ranked players to a pregame introduction ceremony prior to major tournaments with a treasure trove of sponsors in attendance. As of now, events are stapled to a certain location of green, but are expected to join major tournaments in changing cities annually. ,
“Obviously there’s no way to combat the $600 billion LIV makes” said a PGA player,” But it’s three events for $25 million and it’s not coming out of our pocket. Who’s going to disagree with that?”
The risk is there for the taking. Will more golfers swing for greater accolades in the PGA or revert to to “LIVing” large and in charge over at the LIV cup?
The choice is there for them just as much as the ball on the tee is when they pick up their clubs.
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