Liv Golf Central Thread: Events and News

[GolfSpy_APH]

So i watched a bit here and there and ultimately ended up watching the PGA tour instead. My thoughts are as follows.

1- production better then expected, golf pretty meh as expected with the field.

2- I lost interest in the golf because i don't really care about millionaires playing for millions more. 

3- the team aspect i would like to see ok s bigger scale. That I've explained in a earlier post.

4- This one i admit is a me Problem, but for them to make min 1 million for events and only work 8 of 52 weeks a year is a cheap way out. I mean great the money is there, but they already make a living for playing a game..i don't feel bad for PGA guys to play 20-24 weeks a year and make the Same or more. I could go on but I won't.

[Shankster]

3 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

That hasn't worked very well for most all other pro sports.  I went to my one and only FIFA soccer game in Unna, Germany... those fans may the WM look like a knitting circle. 

I might be the minority… but I can’t stand being around a ton of stumbling drunks… that is what this product will produce.

[Middler]

34 minutes ago, Shankster said:

I might be the minority… but I can’t stand being around a ton of stumbling drunks… that is what this product will produce.

+1. I don’t even like it remotely, e.g. I don’t watch the WM Phoenix Open because of the featured drunks. I’m sure many here saw highlights from last year where fans threw thousands of (semi) full cups and cans of beer all over #16 after holes in one? Many of the fans got drenched in beer in the process, not my idea of fun - ever. Disgusting to me, I guess I don’t “get it.”

[Motoboss]

14 minutes ago, Middler said:

+1. I don’t even like it remotely, e.g. I don’t watch the WM Phoenix Open because of the featured drunks. I’m sure many here saw highlights from last year where fans threw thousands of (semi) full cups and cans of beer all over #16 after holes in one? Many of the fans got drenched in beer in the process, not my idea of fun - ever. Disgusting to me, I guess I don’t “get it.”

 

We attended this year’s Masters. They don’t even allow walking fast!

[Shankster]

My sister in law wen to the WM Open… she doesn’t even know a single golfers name.  Went for the beer I am assuming.  
 

I’ve often wondered why major events always have to be surrounded by alcohol sponsors?  Do the events suck that bad that you can’t enjoy them without a buzz?  
 

I don’t get it either, never will.

[fixyurdivot]

22 minutes ago, Shankster said:

My sister in law wen to the WM Open… she doesn’t even know a single golfers name.  Went for the beer I am assuming.  
 

I’ve often wondered why major events always have to be surrounded by alcohol sponsors?  Do the events suck that bad that you can’t enjoy them without a buzz?  
 

I don’t get it either, never will.

Our Canadian friends in Yuma went to the WM for R1 and had nothing good to say about it... particularly the $12 beer.  "One and done" was there summary.  And this was the first day mind you.

I must admit that the beer, hot pretzels, and foam ear plugs at the Dortmund game made it tolerable.  But seriously, I'm not sure any fans can top soccer fans for energy.

[MattWillGolf]

I popped onto YouTube a couple of times to see for myself. I’m not sure about the team concept. I thought it would interesting but all it did was put additional graphics next to players names. I later read that some of the teams, including the winning team were assembled prior to the draft so, the team idea with a draft seemed pointless. The announcers appeared to spend a bit of time talking about money. This seems to be the only point of the tour, make news for spending gobs of money on what appears to be a bunch of mediocre golfs. +24 was paid $120,000. The biggest names well down the leaderboard, Phil Mickleson and Kevin Na, T-33. I score it 4 As a counterpoint I’m watching the RBC Canadian Open. Rory is on fire, JT is charging and Justin Rose has caught a spark.

[Bang60]

6 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

The Wasted Management events planning group has probably been called in ahead of schedule to begin working on a counter-response.  Nobody's gonna just waltz in and take over their #1 position in pro golf. 

I'm as old school on protecting the "yesteryears" of golf as anyone, but this seems to be what the modern fan base wants, so go with the flow.  If this is LIV's format, I just won't attend their events - leaving them to those who like the party atmosphere. Certainly the PGA and their event hosts won't feel compelled to follow LIV's lead, right?  

Unfortunately drunks are a factor of life, I stopped attending sports events because of the drunks. But the "Feed" on utube I've seen in New Zealand I've not seen any drunks, not watching all the hours available but have watched 4ish hours in total, I like the format I'm seeing here as it's ad free and good camera angles which is better than the PGA tour model in my opinion....

[fixyurdivot]

2 minutes ago, Bang60 said:

Unfortunately drunks are a factor of life, I stopped attending sports events because of the drunks. But the "Feed" on utube I've seen in New Zealand I've not seen any drunks, not watching all the hours available but have watched 4ish hours in total, I like the format I'm seeing here as it's ad free and good camera angles which is better than the PGA tour model in my opinion....

Yeah, to be clear, I have no idea what the LIV Tour has planned as it relates to "fan fun".  I think it was Alan who suggested they would be a drunk loud-fest? The limited amount of the first event I've watched seemed pretty average from that perspective. But any event with excessive alcohol consumption is a definite non-starter for me attending, and barely palatable viewing from the safety of my home. The scene following Sam Ryders ace was ugly and not something I care to see at any golf event. 

[Bang60]

Wonder how Forest Gump would deal with it, lol. I think the biggest problem is people don't like change, you know if it ain't broke don't fix it. Problem is for me it's so broken I stopped paying for the content, I've been watching utube video for 4-5 months now and there's so much out there to watch. "Ted-x" is people talking about what's on their mind, from a possible solution to finding it difficult to go to sleep which is laying on your back and tapping your legs for 4minutes, works for me. Some shocking things go on behind closed doors, the list of what's available online is only restricted by your imagination...

[fixyurdivot]

1 hour ago, Bang60 said:

I stopped paying for the content, I've been watching utube video for 4-5 months now and there's so much out there to watch.

Well, for me, this is appealing in that I don't often get full coverage of the PGA events.  Part of that is my rural location and part my choice not to pay (more) to get it.  I did watch a good portion of the YT replay of this first event and it seemed just fine.  It had a bit of an 80's vibe to it with the graphics and lead in segment.  I half expected John Travolta to pop into the screen.  From there it felt like I was watching a typical Euro Tour event - which always have a more subdued feel than main tour events.  It will be interesting to see how event #2 at Pumpkin Ridge compares.  LIV golf in Portland, OR... what could possibly go wrong?

[MattWillGolf]

24 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Well, for me, this is appealing in that I don't often get full coverage of the PGA events.  Part of that is my rural location and part my choice not to pay (more) to get it.  I did watch a good portion of the YT replay of this first event and it seemed just fine.  It had a bit of an 80's vibe to it with the graphics and lead in segment.  I have expected John Travolta to pop into the screen.  From there it felt like I was watching a typical Euro Tour event - which always have a more subdued feel than main tour events.  It will be interesting to see how event #2 at Pumpkin Ridge compares.  LIV golf in Portland, OR... what could possibly go wrong?

I kind of lucked out with golf streaming and the ESPN golf coverage. My Verizon cell phone plan includes Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu.

[Bang60]

2 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Well, for me, this is appealing in that I don't often get full coverage of the PGA events.  Part of that is my rural location and part my choice..

  It will be interesting to see how event #2 at Pumpkin Ridge compares.  LIV golf in Portland, OR... what could possibly go wrong?

I was spending way too much time glued to the Tv watching golf and getting angry because of the lousy content, I've lived in Sydney 33 years and Hong Kong 7years getting different feeds and so know how much better it can be than what's offered by skysport in NZ. So like you will watch with interest how the next and the next events present, tbh anything will be good and better than the status quo because it's FREE...

[FrogginBullfish]

Interesting article...

https://www.sportinglife.com/golf/news/liv-golf-invitational-at-centurion-ben-coley-reflections-on-saudi-arabia-backed-golf-tournament/201425

[MGoBlue100]

On 6/11/2022 at 7:22 AM, LICC said:

As to the Opens, for the U.S., if the LIV players drop out of the OWGR top 60 and don’t have any other exemption (eg, won the US Open in the last ten years), they would have to go through local qualifying. Can you see DJ and Phil doing that?

I read something interesting today: it sounds like some of the LIV players who were former PGA Tour players may request membership in the DP (Dubai Ports) World Tour. Then they could play a few events on that tour and collect world ranking points. 
This would put Keith Pelley in a rock/hard place situation: stand by his partnership with the PGA Tour, or suddenly have perhaps DJ, Phil, Reed, etc etc as DPWT members.  If enough highly ranked players join LIV, and the fields are strong, will world ranking points have to eventually be granted to LIV events?

[fixyurdivot]

9 minutes ago, MGoBlue100 said:

I read something interesting today: it sounds like some of the LIV players who were former PGA Tour players may request membership in the DP (Dubai Ports) World Tour. Then they could play a few events on that tour and collect world ranking points. 
This would put Keith Pelley in a rock/hard place situation: stand by his partnership with the PGA Tour, or suddenly have perhaps DJ, Phil, Reed, etc etc as DPWT members.  If enough highly ranked players join LIV, and the fields are strong, will world ranking points have to eventually be granted to LIV events?

That is an interesting possibility. I seem to recall that the Euro Tour was aggravated with the PGA Tour when many of their stars left with wooing from the PGA Tour.  Looks like a re-make of an old movie.

[Kanoito]

On 6/11/2022 at 9:26 PM, GolfSpy_APH said:

As much as i get that. I watch on Eurosport and yeah it's in Italian or German, but there is maybe one commercial per hour. 

Sky is much better so well.

Sucks for everyone in US and Canada who get 3 commercial breaks every 12 minutes, but that isn't the viewing experience worldwide.

I also watch on Sky and while the number of commercial breaks are minimal, I really hate all those in-studio analysis while the round is going on. You got 3 old farts sitting around a table with an Augusta background repeating the same old stuff... 

Only positive take from LIV was the free streaming, you want to grow the game, you give free access to those who don't have ESPN+ Sky, etc...

And I can only concur with the previous comments regarding field strength, money talk and drunk party...

[TBS]

On 6/11/2022 at 6:04 PM, RickyBobby_PR said:

Bryson and Reed aren’t just nobodies. They may not be liked by a segment of the population but Bryson did bring attention to the single length irons and from what I’ve read helped cobra in iron sales that were already mediocre at best. For Reed those who hate him changed that mindset even if for a little bit during the Ryder Cup.

DJ, Bryson and Reed jumping ship will have an impact on others joining. If they get Rickie it’s another name. Yes he’s struggling but you take away the stress of trying to make a cut, less holes to play and less tournaments he can easily sneak up on the leaderboard and win some events, but he will bring more eyes. He is carrying Puma golf and his approach to the game and how he acts created a big Rickie fan base.

 

This week was a dream week for the PGA Tour. LIV had some strong momentum at the start, a few "known" players, new format, good production, and easy to access. The only thing they were missing was a good golf product that created drama for the viewer. 

The team that was pre-selected ran away with it, no surprise. Charl has been playing high quality golf and it showed. But what a disappointment from DJ, Phil, Westwood, Sergio, Gooch... The product is only as good as the competition. 

I know this was a dream week with Rory, Tony, and JT battling down to the 17th hole playing spectacular golf and not every week is like this but I just have to wonder how many of the LIV players would have cracked top 20 or even made the cut.

[TBS]

Just now, TBS said:

This week was a dream week for the PGA Tour. LIV had some strong momentum at the start, a few "known" players, new format, good production, and easy to access. The only thing they were missing was a good golf product that created drama for the viewer. 

The team that was pre-selected ran away with it, no surprise. Charl has been playing high quality golf and it showed. But what a disappointment from DJ, Phil, Westwood, Sergio, Gooch... The product is only as good as the competition. 

I know this was a dream week with Rory, Tony, and JT battling down to the 17th hole playing spectacular golf and not every week is like this but I just have to wonder how many of the LIV players would have cracked top 20 or even made the cut.

And what is the O/U on number of LIV players that make the cut this week?

I'm saying 3.5.

[THEZIPR23]

14 hours ago, MGoBlue100 said:

I read something interesting today: it sounds like some of the LIV players who were former PGA Tour players may request membership in the DP (Dubai Ports) World Tour. Then they could play a few events on that tour and collect world ranking points. 
This would put Keith Pelley in a rock/hard place situation: stand by his partnership with the PGA Tour, or suddenly have perhaps DJ, Phil, Reed, etc etc as DPWT members.  If enough highly ranked players join LIV, and the fields are strong, will world ranking points have to eventually be granted to LIV events?

I could see the DPWT joining with LIV and creating a world tour. IMO this is the type of disruption those guys are looking for. Golf would never be the same again. 

[berkeleybob]

2 hours ago, THEZIPR23 said:

I could see the DPWT joining with LIV and creating a world tour. IMO this is the type of disruption those guys are looking for. Golf would never be the same again. 

Professional golf may or may not be changed forever, but my game will always be what it is. 

[Thin2win]

3 hours ago, THEZIPR23 said:

I could see the DPWT joining with LIV and creating a world tour. IMO this is the type of disruption those guys are looking for. Golf would never be the same again. 

I've said from the start of this that LIV was much more of a threat to the DP tour then the PGA tour. The PGA has some prestige behind it that it can lean on. The DP tour has lower pay and other then the British Open, a forgettable schedule.

[GolfSpy_APH]

2 minutes ago, Thin2win said:

I've said from the start of this that LIV was much more of a threat to the DP tour then the PGA tour. The PGA has some prestige behind it that it can lean on. The DP tour has lower pay and other then the British Open, a forgettable schedule.

I finished up the NLU podcast and when they were talking to KVV he had a wild idea that I actually like. It is bold, a little brash and well would certainly send a message. 

What KVV purposed was for Jay and the PGA Tour to come out and announce The Players officially as the 5th Major, run direclty by the Tour. Run by their rules and their eligibilty. What they choose to do with those who have one previous Players is up to them. Call them Majors or whatever, however this is the kind of bold move I would like to see the Tour make in response. 

[Thin2win]

3 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

I finished up the NLU podcast and when they were talking to KVV he had a wild idea that I actually like. It is bold, a little brash and well would certainly send a message. 

What KVV purposed was for Jay and the PGA Tour to come out and announce The Players officially as the 5th Major, run direclty by the Tour. Run by their rules and their eligibilty. What they choose to do with those who have one previous Players is up to them. Call them Majors or whatever, however this is the kind of bold move I would like to see the Tour make in response. 

I guess I would have just liked the Tour to figure out how to incorporate 225 Million and  8 Events into the existing structure.... Maybe it didn't happen all in 1 year, but over a 5 year period as existing contracts expired they could have come up with something. But, that cat is out of the bag.

[GolfSpy_APH]

Just now, Thin2win said:

I guess I would have just liked the Tour to figure out how to incorporate 225 Million and  8 Events into the existing structure.... Maybe it didn't happen all in 1 year, but over a 5 year period as existing contracts expired they could have come up with something. But, that cat is out of the bag.

One thing I did kinda overlook is yes it is 8 events this year. However it is 15 next year and moving forward. 

Apparently several of these players have signed 5 year deals with LIV, so if OWGR points get awarded a lot of these guys are still looking at playing 20 ish weeks a year which is similar to what most of them do already. If not more. 

Yes the money is much better. We know that and it always will be. The LIV golfers are being paid far above their market value.... This is also why I like the Team format. Maybe golfers can be signed to guaranteed deals on teams? Anyway not about to go down that route again. I already mentioned I like the team format... just on a better more thoughtout manner. 

There is still the option for the Tour to get in with the PGL which could bring in similar funding or at least a partner willing to bring in funding and push the game forward. 

[Bang60]

19 hours ago, FrogginBullfish said:

Interesting article...

https://www.sportinglife.com/golf/news/liv-golf-invitational-at-centurion-ben-coley-reflections-on-saudi-arabia-backed-golf-tournament/201425

That link doesn't work for me?

[FrogginBullfish]

5 minutes ago, Bang60 said:

That link doesn't work for me?

Works fine for me...

[Bang60]

2 minutes ago, FrogginBullfish said:

Works fine for me...

Nice one, thanks.

[fixyurdivot]

This is quickly becoming the LIV Open.  The telecasts cannot pivot away from this storyline for very long. Just when you think they have, it's back.  About the only thing missing so far is Greg Norman showing up to caddie for Phil.

Phil did say he wanted to bring attention to and move the needle on his (and other players) issue with PGA policies - it seems he's successfully done that.  Hoping they wear this sideshow out tomorrow and Wednesday so that the focus can be about the event starting Thursday. 

[Bang60]

6 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

This is quickly becoming the LIV Open.  The telecasts cannot pivot away from this storyline for very long. Just when you think they have, it's back.  About the only thing missing so far is Greg Norman showing up to caddie for Phil.

Phil did say he wanted to bring attention to and move the needle on his (and other players) issue with PGA policies - it seems he's successfully done that.  Hoping they wear this sideshow out tomorrow and Wednesday so that the focus can be about the event starting Thursday. 

I'm thinking Jay will have all the Liv Tour players refused entry into the USA ??