Liv Golf Central Thread: Events and News

[DaveP043]

52 minutes ago, shootmyage said:

i was wondering how much pressure the tour was going to put on the masters in 2024 to change rules how people get in to play .  

I don't think the Masters pays much attention to pressure from the Tour, or from anyone else.  I really think that it will be a diminishing issue.  LIV will eventually get world ranking points, but with no cut 54 hole events, and less than outstanding strength of field, points will be pretty limited. Most LIV players will drop out of the "automatic invite" rankings, and the Masters won't need to change a thing. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

9 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I don't think the Masters pays much attention to pressure from the Tour, or from anyone else.  I really think that it will be a diminishing issue.  LIV will eventually get world ranking points, but with no cut 54 hole events, and less than outstanding strength of field, points will be pretty limited. Most LIV players will drop out of the "automatic invite" rankings, and the Masters won't need to change a thing. 

I saw this article which showed things pretty clear. LIV needs OWGR and fast or players who are not exempt for longer durations will basically fall off the map. 
https://www.nationalclubgolfer.com/news/liv-golf-official-world-rankings-drop/

I do think there were still some that gained places though. 

Anyway a good glance at what has happened and easy to tell who jumped when. 

[shootmyage]

the way i see liv now is like its standing at the edge of a cliff with one foot over the edge . there is 3 things that must happen before february .

1--sign at least 3 - 5 more big names like-hovland-cantly-flower- matsuyama ,, scott , xander s.  jon rahm  

2--get a tv deal with fox 1 sports.

3--as far as world points go with liv playing 54 holes with no cut , give liv 3/4 of the points , as far as the no cut thing goes give points to only the top 24 finishers

Edited December 28, 2022 by shootmyage

[LICC]

On 12/28/2022 at 10:18 AM, shootmyage said:

the way i see liv now is like its standing at the edge of a cliff with one foot over the edge . there is 3 things that must happen before february .

1--sign at least 3 - 5 more big names like-hovland-cantly-flower- matsuyama ,, scott , xander s.  jon rahm  

2--get a tv deal with fox 1 sports.

3--as far as world points go with liv playing 54 holes with no cut , give liv 3/4 of the points , as far as the no cut thing goes give points to only the top 24 finishers

From Ewan Murray:

In late October, LIV’s chief operating officer and president, Atul Khosla, spoke in a composed manner to assembled journalists at Doral. Khosla acknowledged LIV’s need for a broadcast deal. He said a 2023 schedule would appear by the end of the following month. Khosla said teams would be set for this calendar year by the end of 2022.

Shortly before Christmas, it was announced that Khosla – to many the acceptable face of LIV – had left the organisation after just a year. “We respect AK and his personal decision,” said Norman. Sean Bratches lasted six months as chief commercial officer before walking out last May. LIV’s inability to retain experienced, externally hired sporting executives is intriguing. ...

There remains no television contract for LIV in either the US or the UK. A full schedule for this year is yet to appear, with only seven tournaments listed on the LIV website. Rumoured signings – Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele were the most high profile – have opted to remain within the PGA Tour. If the PIF is content to bestow millions of dollars on Pat Perez and Peter Uilhein, fair enough, but otherwise they are going to have to throw even more exorbitant sums to coax big name golfers to LIV. With every such deal, return on investment potential is impacted. And contrary to widespread belief, ROI targets do exist.

[TBS]

Looks like LIV might not have the unlimited $$$ that they thought. With more direct oversight on the kingdom's Public Investment Fund, makes me think that any of these ventures that do not show a return won't be around too much longer.

Read WSJ article - Saudi Crown Prince Tangles with Sovereign Wealth Fund Over How to Invest Oil Riches

https://www.wsj.com/articles/saudi-arabia-mbs-mohammed-bin-salman-public-investment-fund-11672766494?mod=djem10point

[GolfSpy_APH]

At this point really feel bad for the guys having to constantly say no, I'm staying just because Liv needs more hype and isn't getting it.

https://www.golfdigest.com/story/patrick-cantlay-shuts-down-rumors-about-going-to-liv-golf

[TBS]

LIV secures a contract with CW - https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/id/35480510/liv-golf-secures-tv-streaming-deal-cw-network

Few takeaways and questions

- all three days will be on CW app

- Sat/Sun will be on CW tv station. Saw somewhere on Twitter someone reply that local CW stations might already have programming on those days for their market and it will be up to them to decide to air or not. I'm in the South East and once upon a time mlb aired some on CW. Quick google shows that Mets still have deal with CW https://www.mlb.com/mets/team/broadcast-information. I don't follow MLB so not sure if this actually a problem.

- LIV doesn't get rights fees and still pays production costs. CW/LIV have a profit sharing agreement.

- Commercials - I'm assuming that there will now be commercials? I'm very interested to see how this works with the shotgun start and keeping the flow and promise of twice as many shots.

- No YouTube - Audience is now primarily US and less accessible internationally. I would think they would want the Asian market. Maybe CW app is available there??

- Nielsen data - Now that its not on Youtube and bots can impact reliability in viewership numbers, I will be very interested what the Nielsen numbers will be. I think this could be a big challenge moving forward.

[chisag]

... Why stop with the CW? Co Partner with Bravo and have the Housewives Of Riyadh turning over tables on select tee boxes. 

[DaveP043]

28 minutes ago, TBS said:

- LIV doesn't get rights fees and still pays production costs. CW/LIV have a profit sharing agreement.

So the CW is risking very little, they don't pay for anything, they simply sell ads and keep a portion of the ad revenue.  LIV covers all costs, and gets a portion of the ad revenue that CW sells.  Its certainly a plus for LIV, they were covering all costs to broadcast the competitions online, now they get better exposure, and a chance to recoup at least a portion of their costs.  Of course Greg overstates this, as all salesmen would:

"We're very proud to note how consequential it is that a league that has only existed for one year has secured a full broadcast deal in its debut full league season"

I wouldn't call this a "full broadcast deal", to me that would mean that CW would pay the productions, and pay LIV for the rights to broadcast these tournaments.  And I'm not sure about "full league season" when only 7 events of the proposed 14 haven't even been announced.  I guess we'll hear about the full schedule soon, but shouldn't that come first?

[MWL_9]

LIV intro better be a remake of the Dawson's Creek intro...if not, what are we even doing here? 

But seriously, moving from YouTube to the CW/CW App (I'd venture to guess a vast majority of people didn't even know The CW had an app) seems to be a very questionable move.  Yes, it's on TV, but must less accessible in the US.

[LICC]

Patrick Reed continuing his cheating ways at the DP event sure didn't represent LIV well. He is a piece of work. 

[fixyurdivot]

1 hour ago, LICC said:

Patrick Reed continuing his cheating ways at the DP event sure didn't represent LIV well. He is a piece of work. 

Haters gonna hate.  Seems all involved, including McIlroy, agreed it was a correct ruling.  

https://www.si.com/golf/news/slow-motion-video-fuels-patrick-reed-penalty-controversy-in-dubai

I can't help but think the grounds crew sent someone up the palm tree after the event was over. Will the result be kept under wraps?  Maybe we'll find out Justine paid off the Arborist for planting a clone.  Will Brandel request a Senate investigation to get to the bottom of Dubai's palm tree-gate?  Stay tuned.

 

 

[GolfSpy_APH]

5 minutes ago, fixyurdivot said:

Haters gonna hate.  Seems all involved, including McIlroy, agreed it was a correct ruling.  

https://www.si.com/golf/news/slow-motion-video-fuels-patrick-reed-penalty-controversy-in-dubai

I can't help but think the grounds crew sent someone up the palm tree after the event was over. Will the result be kept under wraps?  Maybe we'll find out Justine paid off the Arborist for planting a clone.  Will Brandel request a Senate investigation to get to the bottom of Dubai's palm tree-gate?  Stay tuned.

 

 

Didn't watch and the only real thing I can add is that trouble and these situations seem to follow him all told often. Started beginning of the week and continued. 

There is a lot of drama surrounding LIV before it's even started year 2 and cant help but think it will continue. 

It's been a while since I've seen much news or information that paints LIV in even the slightest bit of positive light.

[cnosil]

37 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

There is a lot of drama surrounding LIV before it's even started year 2 and cant help but think it will continue. 

It's been a while since I've seen much news or information that paints LIV in even the slightest bit of positive light.

The questioning of how Reed proceeded with the ball in the tree has NOTHING to do with LIV. As it was during a DP event.  There were officials, players, and people providing input and based in all accounts Reed proceeded correctly. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

11 minutes ago, cnosil said:

The questioning of how Reed proceeded with the ball in the tree has NOTHING to do with LIV. As it was during a DP event.  There were officials, players, and people providing input and based in all accounts Reed proceeded correctly. 

Agree completely. The situation itself is not LIV related. For better or worse players on LIV paying DP events will have that air around them. 

[fixyurdivot]

49 minutes ago, GolfSpy_APH said:

Didn't watch and the only real thing I can add is that trouble and these situations seem to follow him all told often. Started beginning of the week and continued. 

There is a lot of drama surrounding LIV before it's even started year 2 and cant help but think it will continue. 

It's been a while since I've seen much news or information that paints LIV in even the slightest bit of positive light.

We generally don't find positives in things we don't like.  I've tried to keep an open mind about LIV and find some aspects of the new format pretty good and some take it or leave it.  I do think this year will be the one that decides whether its here for the long haul or simply a Tommy Tutone. 

You have to admit the Reed/McIlroy match-up provided great theatre.  I was actually surprised Rory played in the event.  While a DP Tour stop and not LIV origin money (so far as we know ), I would have thought he'd just snub the region vs. helping generate revenue for them. 

[Stuka44]

I'm just happy 2 of the rounds are going to be on TV.  I will be watching, many of those players are the ones I tuned in to watch, and just enjoy watching regardless of how they are playing.

[chisag]

1 hour ago, cnosil said:

The questioning of how Reed proceeded with the ball in the tree has NOTHING to do with LIV. As it was during a DP event.

 

... Considering Reed was asked by DP not to wear LIV attire and LIV logo's but he did anyway, I would say it always has something to do with LIV. Had he not been wearing LIV clothing and logo's I would agree with you. 

[GolfSpy_APH]

1 hour ago, fixyurdivot said:

We generally don't find positives in things we don't like.  I've tried to keep an open mind about LIV and find some aspects of the new format pretty good and some take it or leave it.  I do think this year will be the one that decides whether its here for the long haul or simply a Tommy Tutone. 

You have to admit the Reed/McIlroy match-up provided great theatre.  I was actually surprised Rory played in the event.  While a DP Tour stop and not LIV origin money (so far as we know ), I would have thought he'd just snub the region vs. helping generate revenue for them. 

There are varying factors to why many were at those events. Some signed contracts previously, some need Ryder Cup points and so on. 

I think where I fall is LIV is what it is, to me it's like the XFL of golf. It's there and will be. I won't likely watch. I do like the idea of teams.. that I could get on board with. 

What I don't like is the double dipping players are trying to do and the lawsuit stuff which has muddied the waters. For all those who went, good luck. Enjoy it. The schedule looks tough for travelling! 

[LICC]

3 hours ago, fixyurdivot said:

Haters gonna hate.  Seems all involved, including McIlroy, agreed it was a correct ruling.  

https://www.si.com/golf/news/slow-motion-video-fuels-patrick-reed-penalty-controversy-in-dubai

I can't help but think the grounds crew sent someone up the palm tree after the event was over. Will the result be kept under wraps?  Maybe we'll find out Justine paid off the Arborist for planting a clone.  Will Brandel request a Senate investigation to get to the bottom of Dubai's palm tree-gate?  Stay tuned.

 

 

It wasn't the tree that he hit the ball into. He lied when he said he was 100% sure it was his ball. Anyone else would have went back and hit 3 off the tee. The guy can't stop cheating. Moving sand, tapping down rough, pretending a ball was embedded. Just a bad guy.

Edited January 31 by LICC