Liv Golf Central Thread: Events and News

[Owengeorge13]

So pumped for Anthony Kim’s return this weekend.  Just saw an Ad on instagram for it.  I can’t wait!  

[BigLebowski]

Mark me down as another guy who is pumped for the return of Anthony Kim. Haven't found LIV particularly entertaining the few times I have tuned in... but AK's presence will definitely have me keeping an eye on the leaderboard and tuning in when I can. 

[BreakfastBall15]

Like many I’m really excited for Anthony Kim’s return. A hype video was put out this morning and it the end it said “Hi Haters I’m Back”. For a guy that seemed to be universally liked did he really have haters? 

[Preeway]

11 minutes ago, BreakfastBall15 said:

Like many I’m really excited for Anthony Kim’s return. A hype video was put out this morning and it the end it said “Hi Haters I’m Back”. For a guy that seemed to be universally liked did he really have haters? 

I don’t think he was ever hated. And he’s not hated for going to LIV either. Chalk me up as one that isn’t really moved by his return to any tour after being gone so long. If he makes a splash than maybe there could be some added interest by a lot of people. 

[BreakfastBall15]

4 minutes ago, Preeway said:

I don’t think he was ever hated. And he’s not hated for going to LIV either. Chalk me up as one that isn’t really moved by his return to any tour after being gone so long. If he makes a splash than maybe there could be some added interest by a lot of people. 

I get that and you’re definitely not alone in that camp. It’ll be interesting to see how he does after being away from competitive golf for so long. I think anything around even par would be a success. 

[Owengeorge13]

I’m hoping AK does really well and makes his own team.  When I first started watching golf, he was the person I followed the most.  I’m beyond pumped and wish him all the luck in the world.

[HighFade]

I never really liked LIV.  I thought of it as a high-paying exhibition thing.  But the last straw for me was Rahm.  Watching the PGA now feels like watching the JV team.  It' just sad that the two cannot seem to play nicely.  Now guys who barely made cuts before are winning on the PGA.  If you want to see the best players in the world, they're on LIV.

I'll watch golf whether it's LGPA, College, PGA, or LIV.  It's nice that the CW is free, so I have been tuning in recently.

Edited February 28 by HighFade

[TCUfrog]

1 minute ago, HighFade said:

I never really liked LIV.  I thought of it as a high-paying exhibition thing.  But the last straw for me was Rahm.  Watching the PGA now feels like watching the JV team.  It' just sad that the two cannot seem to play nicely.  Now, guys who barely made cuts before are winning on the PGA.  If I want to see the best players in the world, they're on LIV.

I'll watch golf whether it's LGPA, College, PGA, or LIV.  It's nice that the CW is free, so I have been tuning in recently.

What guys were previously barely making cuts that have now won (outside of Grayson Murray who's awful)? Not denying that the start of the season winners for the PGA tour have not been the massive stars so far, but Knapp is an awesome story, Kirk is a great winner and comeback story, Dunlap is the first Am since Phil to win then Hideki and Clark. I think the bigger issue is that the PGA tour has not capitalized on telling the story of these players. The PGA Tour has gotten so lost in the keeping up with the Jones' (LIV) they've lost the narrative unfortunately.

 

Pro golf's beauty is that outside of 2000s Tiger, there has always been amazing parity in the top ranks and that any given Sunday a player could win. Pro golf has the best core group of strong competitive young players that it's ever had.

[HighFade]

4 minutes ago, TCUfrog said:

What guys were previously barely making cuts that have now won?

I don't know each person's record, but this is not exactly a who's who of golf...

[TCUfrog]

4 minutes ago, HighFade said:

I don't know each person's record, but this is not exactly a who's who of golf...

• Two Major Winners
• 2 Rookies from KFT showing strength in the youth
• First Am in 30 years to win
• 2 multiple time tour winners
• Grayson Murray

This is not that different from many starts to the PGA Tour season where less top players play the Sony Open, AMEX, Farmers and Mexican Open. Pebble Beach getting only 54 holes set the PGA tour back from an epic Sunday and will struggle until they get depth back for bigger events coming. 

[fixyurdivot]

AK sporting a man-bun-like-doo and currently searching for something that resembles a tour level golf swing.  The long layoff is certainly showing. Maybe the welcome back party ran late and Pat Perez was assigned to be his chaparone .

I've read that his contract has performance clauses - any details of which I've not been able to find.  But it seems clear Norman's decision to award him a contract is quite speculative and largely based on a bet he'll draw interest... the overriding question "will his game return or will this be a train wreck?"

[Owengeorge13]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

AK sporting a man-bun-like-doo and currently searching for something that resembles a tour level golf swing.  The long layoff is certainly showing. Maybe the welcome back party ran late and Pat Perez was assigned to be his chaparone .

I've read that his contract has performance clauses - any details of which I've not been able to find.  But it seems clear Norman's decision to award him a contract is quite speculative and largely based on a bet he'll draw interest... the overriding question "will his game return or will this be a train wreck?"

I’m hoping he does well.  It was really nice just to see him out and about again playing .  I saw AK’s WITB, it was all Titleist.  

[BreakfastBall15]

6 minutes ago, Owengeorge13 said:

I’m hoping he does well.  It was really nice just to see him out and about again playing .  I saw AK’s WITB, it was all Titleist.  

I mean all things considered his 76 wasn’t terrible. It’s gonna take a while for him to find his groove. 

[fixyurdivot]

So what's the current over/under on Rory cashing in?  Does he eclipse Rahm's contract if he does?  Is he playing hard to get and trying to get Yasir and Norman to the billion threshold? I've been a bit behind on some golf news and scuttlebutt and completely missed this rumor.  Clearly the "I'd rather retire than join LIV" stance from earlier seems to have softened a bit based on this quote;

"I think at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods' position."

To be honest, I lost some respect for Rory for the manner in which he trashed those who made the choice to join LIV.  I am glad to see this change of position.  

  

[TylorJudd]

23 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

So what's the current over/under on Rory cashing in?  Does he eclipse Rahm's contract if he does?  Is he playing hard to get and trying to get Yasir and Norman to the billion threshold? I've been a bit behind on some golf news and scuttlebutt and completely missed this rumor.  Clearly the "I'd rather retire than join LIV" stance from earlier seems to have softened a bit based on this quote;

"I think at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods' position."

To be honest, I lost some respect for Rory for the manner in which he trashed those who made the choice to join LIV.  I am glad to see this change of position.  

  

Agreed completely

[BringerofRain]

56 minutes ago, TylorJudd said:

Agreed completely

On 3/1/2024 at 3:17 PM, fixyurdivot said:

So what's the current over/under on Rory cashing in?  Does he eclipse Rahm's contract if he does?  Is he playing hard to get and trying to get Yasir and Norman to the billion threshold? I've been a bit behind on some golf news and scuttlebutt and completely missed this rumor.  Clearly the "I'd rather retire than join LIV" stance from earlier seems to have softened a bit based on this quote;

"I think at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods' position."

To be honest, I lost some respect for Rory for the manner in which he trashed those who made the choice to join LIV.  I am glad to see this change of position.  

  

If Rory goes to live I think he would get the biggest contract but what I really think it means is a merger is immediate. Maybe 4 seconds after he signs. Lol 

[ShimmyCocoBop]

Anthony Kim did not play well or look well.

Did something happen to his face or was my cable bad?

[ShimmyCocoBop]

Off the record, I heard from the Club Pro Guy that Rory is entertaining an offer of a Bill$kie from Pop Stroke to start a Global Putting Tour.

The hold up is how to get him OWGR points. 

 

 

[BringerofRain]

5 minutes ago, ShimmyCocoBop said:

Anthony Kim did not play well or look well.

Did something happen to his face or was my cable bad?

I thought he arguably played pretty well. That was such a hard situation to come back from and he did alright. 

As for the face I would just say Father Time is undefeated.  

[KingSlender]

On 3/1/2024 at 6:17 PM, fixyurdivot said:

So what's the current over/under on Rory cashing in?  Does he eclipse Rahm's contract if he does?  Is he playing hard to get and trying to get Yasir and Norman to the billion threshold? I've been a bit behind on some golf news and scuttlebutt and completely missed this rumor.  Clearly the "I'd rather retire than join LIV" stance from earlier seems to have softened a bit based on this quote;

"I think at this point, I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV golf at the start, and I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realise that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods' position."

To be honest, I lost some respect for Rory for the manner in which he trashed those who made the choice to join LIV.  I am glad to see this change of position.  

  

Based on Rory not being a part of the new PGA Tour Enterprises board, I feel like Rory is going to LIV.  Add Cantlay, Zalatoris and Fitz who were recently vocal about the worthlessness of the OWGR now and there is going to be an exodus.

 

[KingSlender]

On 3/2/2024 at 5:27 PM, TylorJudd said:

Agreed completely

 

Rory laid his reputation on the line for well over a year to protect the PGA Tour and Jay - and then Jay went and stabbed him in the back.  It was at that point that Rory probably figured he wouldn't rule out getting the bag.

I'm actually a fan of LIV (the music during the round aside), but I think guys like Rory, Brooks, Rahm, etc. know that all they care about is majors.  

[Mike10487]

The stories are pining that the Players field has been somewhat gutted by the LIV defectors. Sure there are 10-12 LIV guys that should be at the Players. Once you get past those 10-12, you fall into the guys that really are past their prime and probably shouldn't be there anyways. This is an opportunity for some lower ranked players to shine. It will not affect the record button being hit and me watching the show! I cannot say the same about any LIV product. Does this affect the way you watch the Players championship? 

[Shapotomous]

On 3/6/2024 at 12:02 PM, ShimmyCocoBop said:

Anthony Kim did not play well or look well.

Did something happen to his face or was my cable bad?

I say something similar in the morning....did something happen to my face or does the mirror need cleaning....nope just me getting old.

[Shapotomous]

9 minutes ago, Mike10487 said:

The stories are pining that the Players field has been somewhat gutted by the LIV defectors. Sure there are 10-12 LIV guys that should be at the Players. Once you get past those 10-12, you fall into the guys that really are past their prime and probably shouldn't be there anyways. This is an opportunity for some lower ranked players to shine. It will not affect the record button being hit and me watching the show! I cannot say the same about any LIV product. Does this affect the way you watch the Players championship? 

I think i will probably turn it on late sunday to see the finish if i am stuck inside.  Missing those 10 - 12 in the field definitely takes the air out of the claim of it being the 5th major.

[Jim Shaw]

2 hours ago, Shapotomous said:

I say something similar in the morning....did something happen to my face or does the mirror need cleaning....nope just me getting old.

that reminds me of a quote from my dear mother after she had cataract surgery, "well, that is the most expensive surgery i ever had, now i have to get a facelift" 

[Jim Shaw]

2 hours ago, Mike10487 said:

The stories are pining that the Players field has been somewhat gutted by the LIV defectors. Sure there are 10-12 LIV guys that should be at the Players. Once you get past those 10-12, you fall into the guys that really are past their prime and probably shouldn't be there anyways. This is an opportunity for some lower ranked players to shine. It will not affect the record button being hit and me watching the show! I cannot say the same about any LIV product. Does this affect the way you watch the Players championship? 

Does it affect the way I watch the players? I will have to see, I am enjoying "Live from" but I find myself being a bit more critical of quotes like "the best players in the world are here, and "the deepest field in golf" as I know that is not true, which is what Paul McGinley said to Brandell Chamblee and had Brandell spinning a bit. 

[Preeway]

3 hours ago, Mike10487 said:

The stories are pining that the Players field has been somewhat gutted by the LIV defectors. Sure there are 10-12 LIV guys that should be at the Players. Once you get past those 10-12, you fall into the guys that really are past their prime and probably shouldn't be there anyways. This is an opportunity for some lower ranked players to shine. It will not affect the record button being hit and me watching the show! I cannot say the same about any LIV product. Does this affect the way you watch the Players championship? 

I’ll definitely be watching as much as I can. Helps that I have the week off but just because a handful of greats chose to quit the Tour doesn’t take anything away from this event for me. So much young talent has taken their place it’s like the game hasn’t missed a beat. It would be a better show if Brooks and Rahm and a couple others were here but Aberg, Dunlap and Hoojgard have filled in nicely. 

[jolter1]

Rory has one goal in mind, winning the Masters. If he wins, watch the numbers being offered to him by LIV which he will be surely tempted to take and probably will, since he will have his grand slam of majors.

[chisag]

3 hours ago, jolter1 said:

Rory has one goal in mind, winning the Masters. If he wins, watch the numbers being offered to him by LIV which he will be surely tempted to take and probably will, since he will have his grand slam of majors.

 

... Some people aren't seduced by money, especially those already set for life and their kids/grandkids are set for life. The Grand Slam would be a jewel for Rory no doubt but that would make 5 Major wins and 7 would pass Michelson and put him in a tie for 6th all time. LIV is just money from a controversial source and I doubt even a Billion would tempt Rory. 


McIlroy currently sits second behind Woods in the PGA Tour's career money list with earnings of over $80m. However, this doesn't factor in his three FedEx Cup victories, which total $43m, meaning the number now jumps over the $120m mark.

On the other side of the pond, and with the DP World Tour, McIlroy sits top of its money list, with over €50m, although there is some overlap with the PGA Tour due to Majors and WGCs. That figure doesn't include his five Race to Dubai victories either, which would have netted him around $12m.

His TaylorMade deal, which he signed in 2017, is said to be worth $10m per year for 10 years. Playing 14 TaylorMade clubs, golf ball and TaylorMade bag, McIlroy also has a Nike contract which was extended in 2017 for 10 years. This is said to be worth $10m per year, having been worth $20m per year from 2013-2016 when he was using Nike clubs, ball and bag. In total, he is estimated to earn around $35m a year from his sponsorships alone.

 In 2023, Forbes released the highest paid golfers list and, although LIV golfers dominated, McIlroy placed third with $80m - $40m on-course and an equal amount off-course. The same year, the Sunday Times Rich List estimated his net worth at a staggering £200m ($255m) and it's only likely to increase from there.

Edited March 20 by chisag

[Jschroeder04]

Is it just me or does the LIV guys playing in majors add a little something extra?  Feels like it is LIV vs PGA during majors and I love it.