Liv Golf Central Thread: Events and News

[Bobby Gooch]

Oldy but goody... Do you feel it's the same as before or current champions should have an * next to their name when winning PGA Championships?

[djahubes]

I randomly went to LIV’s Miami event yesterday. Very empty relative to a PGA event, but cool atmosphere, and you have great access to the players. Overall a great experience. 

Edited April 8 by djahubes
Upload

[mikeanthony]

If true, wow. 

[Fazz]

We could be finding out pretty quickly, there's a few rumor's on X that he is playing in the next LIV event in Australia next week

[RickyBobby_PR]

He’s been posturing for an offer ever since it was reported members there didn’t like him. 
 

He’s done a 180 on the whole thing in the last few months. And like I said way back when they all have a price. Never trust someone who will go back on the beliefs. Rahm wonders why he got the cold shoulder from some this weekend. It’s easy, go back on everything because of the money and people will stop trusting you 

[pbclub]

This would be the beginning of the end for the Ryder Cup. The future is the LIV vs PGA world series. Team and individual champions. Seems inevitable if they don't merge. At least if they want to make money. 

[pete1276]

Say it ain't so Rory, say it ain't so!

[MN_Hacker]

There's gonna be a crow shortage if he goes to LIV........

[B_Cdn]

Boy would this change his popularity.  One of the most universally liked golfers.  That would take a quick nose dive!  But for 850M does he care?  Hoping it doesn't happen!

 

Edited April 16 by B_Cdn

[barney_bogey]

Go get your bag Rory.

[BallsLeon]

[MN_Hacker]

I can't imagine turning down 850 million to simply change jobs.  I've changed jobs for a 10k raise.  

And, as much as people what to apply ethics/morals/etc to this, it really is just changing employers for generational wealth.  He could put it in a secure 2% apr investment and get 17 million a year to live on without ever touching the 850 million.  

[fixyurdivot]

From PGA's anti-LIV front man, pointy end of their spear, to player/part owner... yes, that is quite a turn-around.  I stated in the other thread that he was holding out for an offer that had a $B on the end. Perhaps the "part ownership" has the potential to meet that?  Does he also get a team?  Does this draw the likes of Lowery, Fitzpatrick and others to LIV?  

The world of professional golf is great theatre these days.  While the tour as we've long known it is being dismantled, the ruling bodies are busy making needless ball rollback decisions and elitist stuff shirts like Fred Ridley are doubling down on the disconnect between them and 99% of players who are the future of the sport.

[Josh Parker]

We will see what happens. I won't be surprised honestly. 

So much good talent on the PGA emerging these days that I honestly don't care.  

[BallsLeon]

For me, I don't believe this just because the money is absurd. If Rahm is worth $500M how in the world is Rory worth $850M...

[Preeway]

It's sad to see pro golf get gutted in this manner. I get the notion of break a few eggs to make an omlette but this is crazy. I do believe Rory and Rahm could be big enough to finally get a major TV deal in place and if so, that would spell the end of the PGAT as we know it in the near future. I don't think there are enough big names in golf to support two tours, and I don't believe there is enough fiscal interest in the US to support a world wide tour. Will be interesting to see the long game play out.

[Javs]

2 minutes ago, Preeway said:

It's sad to see pro golf get gutted in this manner. I get the notion of break a few eggs to make an omlette but this is crazy. I do believe Rory and Rahm could be big enough to finally get a major TV deal in place and if so, that would spell the end of the PGAT as we know it in the near future. I don't think there are enough big names in golf to support two tours, and I don't believe there is enough fiscal interest in the US to support a world wide tour. Will be interesting to see the long game play out.

If Rory leaves for LIV, that would really hurt the PGAT. Norman might ultimately get his wish of bringing down the PGAT. I hope it doesn’t happen. 

[Stuka44]

I believe I said it was only a matter of time.  I also said the PGA needed to get off its high horse, and stop believing that it was better than everyone.  Also that it needed to stop trying to convince their players that to be paid their worth, in an industry that makes BILLIONS OF DOLLARS, made them a bad person.

We'll see!  If Rory does go, then we'll see who the first major network, that realizes people will watch Rory McIlroy, is to offer a TV deal.  PGA needs to be VERY CAREFUL, at this point.  Golf is not better, it is not special.  And the players who are making others, FILTHY RICH, now realize they should be getting paid more.

Rory is worth just as much to golf as Shohei Otani is to baseball.

I'm not saying its right, or its good for the game, but I believe the PGA's "We are golf" stance since the beginning, and currently has forced the issue.

"That's just the way it is" as Bruce Hornsby sang!

The National Golf Foundation, valued the golf industry, in the United States ONLY  in 2022 at 101.7 BILLION dollars.  Now who is responsible for golf being worth this much now.   its the players, that allow these organizations to make all this money.  Oh and a $50,000,000 a year salary for McIlroy is 0.0004 % of 101.7 Billion.

Anybody know any of these people....Buddy Hield,  Keldon Johnson,  Clint Capela, Malcolm Brogdon,  Gary Trent Jr.,  or John Collins.  I didn't think so.  These are just a few NBA players that NOBODY KNOWS, who make between 18 and 25 million dollars a year, to help Lebron James make 47 million dollars a year, and owners, and equipment, and shoe makers, a WHOLE CRAP LOAD MORE MONEY THAN THAT.

The guys who miss the cut, allow there to be a golf tournament, which IS THE REASON all of the club manufacturers , and ball makers, and shoe makers,  can pay the stars all the money, to make even more money for themselves.  The PGA is mad because it and all of the equipment manufactures, and everyone involved with the game of golf is realizing that the amount of people willing to be FREE LABOR, for them is going away.  The "Genie" is out of the bottle, and there is no putting him back in.

[Preeway]

15 minutes ago, Javs said:

If Rory leaves for LIV, that would really hurt the PGAT. Norman might ultimately get his wish of bringing down the PGAT. I hope it doesn’t happen. 

His manager is calling it fake news but in today’s media world that doesn’t really mean much. I just want to see pro golf get to a point where the best players are at all the majors and also another 5-10 events. Merger or not, pro golf will languish until we get rid of “sides”. 

[Javs]

2 minutes ago, Preeway said:

His manager is calling it fake news but in today’s media world that doesn’t really mean much. I just want to see pro golf get to a point where the best players are at all the majors and also another 5-10 events. Merger or not, pro golf will languish until we get rid of “sides”. 

I saw that and I agree with you. Maybe the answer is that they are all free agents to play any event on any tour. Then the different agencies run their events and the best that wish to play show up. Maybe instead of the PGAT end of year playoffs there is a series of tournaments at the year end that feature teams from each tour. Who knows how this looks in a few years. I really just want to see the best players go head to head. However, I do like the majors as they are currently. Just my thoughts.

[Preeway]

Just now, Javs said:

I saw that and I agree with you. Maybe the answer is that they are all free agents to play any event on any tour. Then the different agencies run their events and the best that wish to play show up. Maybe instead of the PGAT end of year playoffs there is a series of tournaments at the year end that feature teams from each tour. Who knows how this looks in a few years. I really just want to see the best players go head to head. However, I do like the majors as they are currently. Just my thoughts.

I think you’re on to something there. I don’t see a true merger as much as I see an end to the rattling of sabers. Let’s just play golf. 

[Middler]

I still don't care or watch LIV (a few great players and a bunch of has beens/wannabees), but I hope Rory does jump and take the money - if for no other reason than to get this whole mess off dead center. He was a good soldier and the PGA stuck it to him for his efforts. When Rahm went I figured he expected to get a pile of money, and end up playing with all the best again anyway when the "merger" or whatever happens - smart.

It's gone on way too long already...having some of the world's best players on another tour sucks, diminishes pro golf.

I was glad to see LIV was a washout at the Masters...it's pretty clear which players don't care about anything but money anymore.

Edited April 16 by Middler

[Josh Parker]

I have gotten to the point I don't watch much anymore. Even this weekend with the Masters I watched a little but went and played golf. All the media talks about is who is going where and for how much.  Players crying about how they are treated and how's its unfair.  

Quite honestly, they are all coming across as overpaid spoiled babies.  I love the game of golf and would rather go play than listen to that anyday of the week. 

[Javs]

13 minutes ago, Preeway said:

I think you’re on to something there. I don’t see a true merger as much as I see an end to the rattling of sabers. Let’s just play golf. 

Fully agree!

[Preeway]

9 minutes ago, Middler said:

I still don't care or watch LIV (a few great players and a bunch of has beens/wannabees), but I hope Rory does jump and take the money - if for no other reason than to get this whole mess off dead center. He was a good soldier and the PGA stuck it to him for his efforts. When Rahm went I figured he expected to get a pile of money, and end up playing with all the best again anyway when the "merger" or whatever happens - smart.

It's gone on way too long already...having some of the world's best players on another tour sucks, diminishes pro golf.

I was glad to see LIV was a washout at the Masters...it's pretty clear which players don't care about anything but money anymore.

I really didn’t think LIV had a poor showing at the Masters. They weren’t in the top 5 or 6 this year but had quite a few in the top 15 and over half made the cut. It would be nice to see the narrative just switch to more about the golf being played than the Tour they are on. Really enjoyed seeing BD play as well as he did. 

[Javs]

9 minutes ago, Josh Parker said:

I have gotten to the point I don't watch much anymore. Even this weekend with the Masters I watched a little but went and played golf. All the media talks about is who is going where and for how much.  Players crying about how they are treated and how's its unfair.  

Quite honestly, they are all coming across as overpaid spoiled babies.  I love the game of golf and would rather go play than listen to that anyday of the week. 

Yes, the back and forth about the LIV and PGAT is getting old. Just hold events and let the best for that week show up.

[Josh Parker]

1 minute ago, Preeway said:

I really didn’t think LIV had a poor showing at the Masters. They weren’t in the top 5 or 6 this year but had quite a few in the top 15 and over half made the cut. It would be nice to see the narrative just switch to more about the golf being played than the Tour they are on. Really enjoyed seeing BD play as well as he did. 

I wasn't a BD fan for a long time but then started watching some of his stuff and the thought process that he takes to the course. Super smart and really looks at the science behind things. 

Just now, Javs said:

Yes, the back and forth about the LIV and PGAT is getting old. Just hold events and let the best for that week show up.

Agree!  Just play golf. 

[BallsLeon]

FWIW here's Rory denying the rumors:

 

[Philly Ray]

Was the dollar amount the "fake news" or the prospect of him leaving for the LIV tour the fake news?  I can see it happening since his Ryder Cup teammate Rahm left and Rory seems to be going to bat for Rahm to continue playing on the European team.

[mardukes]

Yes, as much as one might like to see LIV failure, theirs was quite the respectable performance at this Masters.  They might be accused of being a cherry-picked sampling but then again, the whole Masters invitation list is cherry-picked.  The fans suffer.  Twenty or so guys get all the money -- we get 3/5th of our weekends watching DP USA and/or the poorest excuse for team competition imaginable.

 

PS- I missed Brandel's argument that team play is antithetical to individual rankings.

Edited April 16 by mardukes