I think the Rory Story is now dead; his ex-agent, Chubby Chandler, was telling everyone a while back he wouldn't be at all surprised if McIlroy suddenly changed course and switched to LIV, based on his past behaviour. But PGA Tour Enterprises will give him about $50M just for looking good and saying nice things about the PGA, so that should keep him in tow for the near future (Woods to get $100M). In other news, Woods just got an exemption to the US Open; if this turns out pretty much like previous efforts, he should seriously consider hanging 'em up, or even joining LIV himself (three rounds in shorts gotta be easier than four rounds in trousers). LIV vs the Champions Tour would be a no-brainer. But really, he already has enough money, so why bother? He can only do so much with a broken/patched-up body like that, and golf isn't like hockey, where a lot of those problems could be hidden or moot.LIV
Re: LIV
I would never claim to be a "fan" of LIV. I simply find it an interesting development, much like the WHA in years past. But you are entitled to your own opinion, even if incorrect, just as I am I think the Rory Story is now dead; his ex-agent, Chubby Chandler, was telling everyone a while back he wouldn't be at all surprised if McIlroy suddenly changed course and switched to LIV, based on his past behaviour. But PGA Tour Enterprises will give him about $50M just for looking good and saying nice things about the PGA, so that should keep him in tow for the near future (Woods to get $100M). In other news, Woods just got an exemption to the US Open; if this turns out pretty much like previous efforts, he should seriously consider hanging 'em up, or even joining LIV himself (three rounds in shorts gotta be easier than four rounds in trousers). LIV vs the Champions Tour would be a no-brainer. But really, he already has enough money, so why bother? He can only do so much with a broken/patched-up body like that, and golf isn't like hockey, where a lot of those problems could be hidden or moot.
I think the Rory Story is now dead; his ex-agent, Chubby Chandler, was telling everyone a while back he wouldn't be at all surprised if McIlroy suddenly changed course and switched to LIV, based on his past behaviour. But PGA Tour Enterprises will give him about $50M just for looking good and saying nice things about the PGA, so that should keep him in tow for the near future (Woods to get $100M). In other news, Woods just got an exemption to the US Open; if this turns out pretty much like previous efforts, he should seriously consider hanging 'em up, or even joining LIV himself (three rounds in shorts gotta be easier than four rounds in trousers). LIV vs the Champions Tour would be a no-brainer. But really, he already has enough money, so why bother? He can only do so much with a broken/patched-up body like that, and golf isn't like hockey, where a lot of those problems could be hidden or moot.Re: LIV
I think we can safely say at this point (middle of June 2024), there was never going to be a merger, and it was more of a "cease fire", both sides agreeing to stop attacking each other. Of course that leaves some problems unfixed, such as OWGR rankings, which in turn are used to determine eligibility for some majors. Perhaps the LIV players are earning enough money that it's no longer a concern? Both sides seem to have become comfortable with the new status quo.
Re: LIV
I haven't heard much in the last year or so concerning the PGA and LIV, but I was surprised by this story about Trump sitting next to "the head of Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), Yasir Al-Rumayyan" at a UFC event ($925B). It seems much of the conversation was about GOLF! It will be interesting to see what comes of this in the following year. At the end of the story is this text:
"Oversight of "commercial operations, businesses and investments" at the new golf giant will fall to the board of directors whose full slate will be revealed "at a later date," the three entities said. The release indicated that a majority of its members will be picked by the PGA Tour, which will also get a majority voting interest.
In the new entity, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan will serve as the CEO while Al-Rumayyan will take on the chairman position. Those two will also sit on the board’s executive committee."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/tr ... -ufc-fight
"Oversight of "commercial operations, businesses and investments" at the new golf giant will fall to the board of directors whose full slate will be revealed "at a later date," the three entities said. The release indicated that a majority of its members will be picked by the PGA Tour, which will also get a majority voting interest.
In the new entity, PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan will serve as the CEO while Al-Rumayyan will take on the chairman position. Those two will also sit on the board’s executive committee."
https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/tr ... -ufc-fight
Re: LIV
https://www.outkick.com/sports/greg-nor ... ip-program. This will never be mentioned on pgatour.com, or even the phrase "LIV".
Re: LIV
I have to admit I haven't been watching any golf for a long time now, partly because of where I'm living (SE Asia), and partly because my favourite player, TW, is pretty much done (50 this December). I have never watched an LIV event, maybe worth a try at least once.
Re: LIV
Looks like Trump is getting involved in brokering a deal between the PGA, LIV, and the PIF. I figured this one was dead, it's over a year since the deadline for a deal has passed. Should be interesting to see what happens:
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pga-tour ... ports-week
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/pga-tour ... ports-week
Re: LIV
I agree, mostly for the reason TV ratings must be dropping (though I have no figures handy, but there is a pretty good description of what happened in 2024 below). We're pretty much post-Tiger now, and no matter who one's favourite player is, he attracted the eyeballs of a lot of people who had barely watched any golf previously, and then there's the income generated for advertisers by having so many viewers, new courses opening. What I see these days is a general lack of personality that makes TV viewing exciting; no more TW (for the most part, 50 this December), no Greg Norman, Raymond Floyd, Hal Sutton, Phil Mickelson, Craig Stadler, Lee Trevino, John Daly, etc., etc. The Tour seems to be made up of a lot of "cookie cutter" golfers, and LIV has actually made that worse. Whether you like them or not, Jon Rahm, Pat Reed, Bryson Dechambeault, and even Sergio Garcia added a bit of salt to the mix. It's been a while since I watched golf on TV, but I don't see anyone out there with the "it" factor that's going to draw a lot of viewers. It sure ain't Jordan Spieth! The PGA Tour needs more pizza and less oatmeal. Here's one quote from the link below that accurately describes where PGA golf fits in these days:
"In 2024, over 90% of the top-200 most-watched telecasts in the USA belonged to sport while in excess of 125 of those programs were NFL-related. Golf, whose most popular event is always the final round of The Masters, didn't even find its way into the top-200."
https://www.golfmonthly.com/news/shocki ... an-express
The main problem for LIV players has never been resolved: The OWGR rankings. That needs to be at the top of the list of things to be fixed.
Re: LIV
Interesting story on Fox: https://www.foxnews.com/sports/scottie- ... k-together
As I mentioned in the comments there, I wonder how much the players really care anymore about what happens between the two Tours. We never hear much about it now, and the LIV players have likely become acclimatized to their new careers, many of them immediately earning more income than they'd see after an entire PGA career. Golf isn't just a game for them, it's a job. The money is likely enough to help them forget about OGWR ranking, playing in PGA majors, Ryder & President Cups. Life goes on, and we're not hearing many complaints from either side. I still say televised Golf is taking a beating, for various reasons, and right now I see no one on the PGA Tour with the "it" factor, that attracts people with only a casual interest in golf to watch even a final round on a Sunday; those players have either retired for various reasons, or they are playing for LIV. No one can convince me that Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau leaving the PGA had no effect on TV viewing. If someone like Scheffler were to also join LIV, that could be the final nail in the coffin lid. And two years later, the head honchos appear to be in no hurry to form any kind of merger. Trump has indicated interest, but he has bigger fish to fry at the moment.
As I mentioned in the comments there, I wonder how much the players really care anymore about what happens between the two Tours. We never hear much about it now, and the LIV players have likely become acclimatized to their new careers, many of them immediately earning more income than they'd see after an entire PGA career. Golf isn't just a game for them, it's a job. The money is likely enough to help them forget about OGWR ranking, playing in PGA majors, Ryder & President Cups. Life goes on, and we're not hearing many complaints from either side. I still say televised Golf is taking a beating, for various reasons, and right now I see no one on the PGA Tour with the "it" factor, that attracts people with only a casual interest in golf to watch even a final round on a Sunday; those players have either retired for various reasons, or they are playing for LIV. No one can convince me that Dustin Johnson, Jon Rahm, and Bryson DeChambeau leaving the PGA had no effect on TV viewing. If someone like Scheffler were to also join LIV, that could be the final nail in the coffin lid. And two years later, the head honchos appear to be in no hurry to form any kind of merger. Trump has indicated interest, but he has bigger fish to fry at the moment.