Liv Golf Central Thread: Events and News

[PeterHenric]

I live in Vegas and have played LVCC many times so it is cool to watch these guys decimate this course. Turned a par 72 into a par 70 like it’s no big deal. They also reworked the hole numbering for some reason. They are playing hole 1 as 10 and vice versa. Not sure what the reasoning was for that. 
I do love that some of the players are getting punished by the trees lining the fairways. They are brutal if you get off line. It is impressive to see how well they play the course.

[Owengeorge13]

7 hours ago, PeterHenric said:

I live in Vegas and have played LVCC many times so it is cool to watch these guys decimate this course. Turned a par 72 into a par 70 like it’s no big deal. They also reworked the hole numbering for some reason. They are playing hole 1 as 10 and vice versa. Not sure what the reasoning was for that. 
I do love that some of the players are getting punished by the trees lining the fairways. They are brutal if you get off line. It is impressive to see how well they play the course.

Not a bad week to live in Vegas.  How’s traffic going?  Are you making it to one of the rounds?

[PeterHenric]

4 hours ago, Owengeorge13 said:

Not a bad week to live in Vegas.  How’s traffic going?  Are you making it to one of the rounds?

Sadly no. I had planned to go to the final round with some friends on Saturday but a family event came up so I had to go to Utah for the weekend.

Traffic will probably be crazy but fortunately wont have to deal with it.

[Owengeorge13]

Bryson is putting in a show right now.

[Owengeorge13]

Shaping up for another great round today.  DJ and Bryson played fantastic yesterday.

[jolter1]

I am going to make a prediction. I suspect things are getting a little contentious between Rory and the PGATour and some if its players. If somehow he wins the Masters this year, he will be the next LIV signing. As Chamblee keeps talking about legacy, Rory will have his legacy secured with a Masters win, a future Hall of Fame entry, and all that is left is cashing in.

[Preeway]

I think this is a make or break year for the PGAT. I don’t know if bigger purses alone will be enough to sustain the tour. I get a feeling there is a lot of tumultuous goings on behind the scenes that are making the players antsy. 

[fixyurdivot]

4 hours ago, Preeway said:

I think this is a make or break year for the PGAT. I don’t know if bigger purses alone will be enough to sustain the tour. I get a feeling there is a lot of tumultuous goings on behind the scenes that are making the players antsy. 

Interesting take.  I see it somewhat the opposite in that the latest infusion of $$$ and player ownership will settle things for the top 50 guys.  On the flip-side, I've said before that the tours approach is, IMO, creating a bit of a "us and them" split in the field.  This may motivate some outside the elevated status to consider offers.  I never liked the approach they took and still think that might bite them.  IMO, everyone of the players who have earned the right to be on the tour should have an equal opportunity at every event.  

I just watched the last half dozen holes of LIV Las Vegas and to be brutally honest would have had as much fun there as I did at WM yesterday - at least from a watching world class golfers ply their trade.  What a great, come from behind finish bt DJ .  And how about G-Mac's resurrection from last week, carrying Team Smash to the podium .  Anyone who says these guys have no drive or will to win should seek medical attention .    

As for Rachel Drummond replacing Troy Mullins, the jury is still out for me.  Seems like a really pleasant gal but a bit too soft spoken for the role.  Troy was great and a definite loss to the broadcast team.

[Owengeorge13]

DJ played really well.  I’m disappointed in Bryson.

[fixyurdivot]

Yes, his game definitely was shaky today. Anyone know if he is still playing the "One Lengths"?  It looked like it to me but his set-up has always looked a little wonky, so hard to say.

[Owengeorge13]

https://golf.com/gear/irons/bryson-dechambeau-ping-irons-wall-to-wall/?

last year he used ping i230

this year he is gaming Avoda combo length irons?  I don’t know much about them.

https://avodagolf.com/collections/combo-length

Edited February 11 by Owengeorge13

[Owengeorge13]

16 minutes ago, Owengeorge13 said:

https://golf.com/gear/irons/bryson-dechambeau-ping-irons-wall-to-wall/?

last year he used ping i230

this year he is gaming Avoda combo length irons?  I don’t know much about them.

https://avodagolf.com/collections/combo-length

Just did some reading up on brysons new irons.  They actually seem pretty good.  I’ll have to search for some reviews.

[TylorJudd]

55 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Interesting take.  I see it somewhat the opposite in that the latest infusion of $$$ and player ownership will settle things for the top 50 guys.  On the flip-side, I've said before that the tours approach is, IMO, creating a bit of a "us and them" split in the field.  This may motivate some outside the elevated status to consider offers.  I never liked the approach they took and still think that might bite them.  IMO, everyone of the players who have earned the right to be on the tour should have an equal opportunity at every event.  

I just watched the last half dozen holes of LIV Las Vegas and to be brutally honest would have had as much fun there as I did at WM yesterday - at least from a watching world class golfers ply their trade.  What a great, come from behind finish bt DJ .  And how about G-Mac's resurrection from last week, carrying Team Smash to the podium .  Anyone who says these guys have no drive or will to win should seek medical attention .    

As for Rachel Drummond replacing Troy Mullins, the jury is still out for me.  Seems like a really pleasant gal but a bit too soft spoken for the role.  Troy was great and a definite loss to the broadcast team.

I think the big point will be the next wave of talent. If LIV starts signing more of the college players before they can hit Q school, then the PGA may run dry soon after. I think LIV has enough to play the long game. I felt a little bad for the tour players not in the top 50. They seem like they got the shaft in the new equity fund 

[fixyurdivot]

17 minutes ago, TylorJudd said:

I think the big point will be the next wave of talent. If LIV starts signing more of the college players before they can hit Q school, then the PGA may run dry soon after. I think LIV has enough to play the long game. I felt a little bad for the tour players not in the top 50. They seem like they got the shaft in the new equity fund 

Yes, there is that angle.  But I just attended the WM yesterday and the place was a complete zoo.  Don't know for sure but I'd guess that events gate total eclipses the entire LIV season totals.  There is no argument that the PGAT is more popular and one would think the majority of young players still want to play on that tour.  That said, I do think LIV is getting traction and will not be going away anytime soon.  It certainly provides an option to elite level players that did not exist only a few years ago.

Edited February 11 by fixyurdivot

[Preeway]

If LIV wants to keep their shotgun start format, they might have maxed out their field size at 54. That puts a threesome on every hole. I know you can squeeze a second group on the par 5s but they might make for some significantly slower play if they do. So maybe 12 more guys max could be added to LIV?

[fixyurdivot]

1 minute ago, Preeway said:

If LIV wants to keep their shotgun start format, they might have maxed out their field size at 54. That puts a threesome on every hole. I know you can squeeze a second group on the par 5s but they might make for some significantly slower play if they do. So maybe 12 more guys max could be added to LIV?

Their waiting for just the right time to change to the LXXII Tour, featuring guess who?

Spoiler

 

[TylorJudd]

13 hours ago, Preeway said:

If LIV wants to keep their shotgun start format, they might have maxed out their field size at 54. That puts a threesome on every hole. I know you can squeeze a second group on the par 5s but they might make for some significantly slower play if they do. So maybe 12 more guys max could be added to LIV?

I am surprised they don’t want to get away from the shotgun, 54 holes. You’re completely correct that they’re limited unless they get deals with courses that have 2 18’s, and/or make certain events they have only for certain rankings within their tour

[Preeway]

Of all the unique aspects to LIV, I think getting rid of the shotgun start would be the easiest thing to remove without altering the makeup too much. Assuming that is, that they want to get much bigger. 

[jolter1]

On 2/10/2024 at 7:44 PM, TylorJudd said:

I think the big point will be the next wave of talent. If LIV starts signing more of the college players before they can hit Q school, then the PGA may run dry soon after. I think LIV has enough to play the long game. I felt a little bad for the tour players not in the top 50. They seem like they got the shaft in the new equity fund 

If LIV can somehow find a way to gain world ranking points and entry into the majors, you may actually see more young talent heading to LIV as who cares who wins the WM Open but how many majors you have won.

[Preeway]

I think that’s the hope of an eventual merger. I don’t see OWGR points in the near future since they won’t incorporate a cut in each event.  And then the bigger question of how big is LIV willing to get? And how many people actually want to travel to the world to play in tournaments versus stay stateside. 

[jolter1]

8 hours ago, Preeway said:

I think that’s the hope of an eventual merger. I don’t see OWGR points in the near future since they won’t incorporate a cut in each event.  And then the bigger question of how big is LIV willing to get? And how many people actually want to travel to the world to play in tournaments versus stay stateside. 

If Tiger's end of the year tournament which has only 18 players with no cut can earn points, then they can find a way for LIV to acquire points.

[Preeway]

I tire of the special events qualifying for points. It really doesn’t make sense. I understand, but still disagree, with the limited field elevates events getting points but there are quite a few that don’t make sense. 

[meteorinnov8]

The DP leadership has been admitting its struggles, particularly after losing so many marquee stars to LIV. LIV players are scurrying off to Asian Tour events to earn desperately desired OWGR points. PGA leaders are saying they want the LIV players to face some penalty before returning to PGA Tour. All these entities seem in favor of some sort of World Tour like the Super League in football/soccer.

So here’s a simple, elegant, inclusive solution. It addresses each tour players’ needs while “growing the game.” LIV players are admitted back to the DP World Tour. Since there is already a well-received protocol for DP World leading point winners to get a PGA Tour card, since DP World Tour members are eligible for European Ryder Cup, since the DP World Tour spans the globe and having LiV stars playing in Africa, EU and AustralAsia would enhance the DP live and television draw, and since DP World Tour offers more OWGR points than the Asian Tour (and more than the zero LIV offers), LIV players can earn their way into the majors. This is not an easy or comfortable path back to the US Tour or the majors for LIV rebels, so those on the Policy Committee that want some penance, get it. Best of all, golf fans all over the world get a better product and some peace.

Win, win, win, win. what do you think?

 

[jolter1]

Just read a post on instagram in that AK has signed with LIV and will tee it up as a wildward in Jeddah. If true, I will definitely be watching.

[Owengeorge13]

48 minutes ago, jolter1 said:

Just read a post on instagram in that AK has signed with LIV and will tee it up as a wildward in Jeddah. If true, I will definitely be watching.

This season has been great so far.  I’m really excited to see AK back in action.  I can’t wait to see his WITB

[BringerofRain]

2 hours ago, jolter1 said:

Just read a post on instagram in that AK has signed with LIV and will tee it up as a wildward in Jeddah. If true, I will definitely be watching.

I have not found LIV to watch but they keep doing a great job sucking me back in for another chance. I’ll definitely be watching as well. 
 

Then I’ll get bored then LIV will give Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang a team just to dump in PGA cereal and I’ll be back in for another week 

[TylorJudd]

2 hours ago, BringerofRain said:

I have not found LIV to watch but they keep doing a great job sucking me back in for another chance. I’ll definitely be watching as well. 
 

Then I’ll get bored then LIV will give Lexi Thompson and Rose Zhang a team just to dump in PGA cereal and I’ll be back in for another week 

I’m a big fan of both LPGA and LIV. If those two get together, man oh man. LIV may be what the sport needs to bridge the women getting to be on the same stage on a regular basis

[BringerofRain]

1 hour ago, TylorJudd said:

I’m a big fan of both LPGA and LIV. If those two get together, man oh man. LIV may be what the sport needs to bridge the women getting to be on the same stage on a regular basis

I have been saying this for months. I think it was a huge miss not having a top tier LPGA player join Rhams team. This gives them a chance to genuinely grow the game, and selfishly their viewing numbers would escalate. Finally I have seen some of the last place finishers you can’t tell me Nelly Korda can’t contribute in the team aspect. 

[fixyurdivot]

4 hours ago, BringerofRain said:

I have been saying this for months. I think it was a huge miss not having a top tier LPGA player join Rhams team. This gives them a chance to genuinely grow the game, and selfishly their viewing numbers would escalate. Finally I have seen some of the last place finishers you can’t tell me Nelly Korda can’t contribute in the team aspect. 

I can't help but think the mixed gender league is being studied and considered. I do agree that it would add some interest to the game.  Professional golf has, seemingly, reached a pivotal juncture in its history.  The old school me harkens for yesteryear's and the "oh what the hell" part says lets see what happens.  

[silver & black]

On 2/24/2024 at 9:50 AM, jolter1 said:

Just read a post on instagram in that AK has signed with LIV and will tee it up as a wildward in Jeddah. If true, I will definitely be watching.

I never had a doubt as to which tour he would sign with. I'm sure he was/is compensated well. I know if I were a pro golfer, I would opt for the money. But.... having struggled quite bit in my life, probably sways my opinion on it.