2022 Professional golf thread

[Deleted member 29109]

No I disagree. They have a choice, their employer is not sending them there, they are independent contractors and can choose which events to play.

If I was offered a new job on double my salary in Saudi, I would decline. That's a personal choice.

What if you were offered the equivalent of yours lifetime earnings for a weeks work? Or a one off £10mil

It’s easy to say no to hypothetical questions.

 

[Orikoru]

View attachment 40943

So this is the same Mickleson that took $8mil in bonus payment from the PGA tour , and is now chasing the money in the middle east

Guess there are no mirrors in his house

The picture has made me think though - maybe the Saudis will let them wear shorts? That's 1-0 to them in my book.

 

[woofers]

What if you were offered the equivalent of yours lifetime earnings for a weeks work? Or a one off £10mil

It’s easy to say no to hypothetical questions.

Nope, I’d still have to face myself in the mirror every morning.
However, we are not talking about ‘life changing’ sums of money to these guys, they are already wealthy and have enough money to live very comfortably. In fact they can enhance that by earning on the existing tours, you can only be in one place at a time - it’s simple greed.
If everyone said “No, the monies tempting but your morals and ethics stink, I’ll stay where I am” there would be no ’rival’ tour or event.
Paul Casey was a prime example, I applauded his stance in 2019 thinking he was holding the moral high ground, but the mighty sheik dollar was too much temptation for him and he found a way to erase his conscience.
As much as Andy Murray irritates me, he gets my vote for turning down ‘appearance money‘ to play in Saudi.
More power to the likes of Rory, Rahm, Thomas and co who aren’t tempted.
FFS, why does Westwood need to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement? To me, that is a sign that something isn’t quite right.

 

[sunshine]

What if you were offered the equivalent of yours lifetime earnings for a weeks work? Or a one off £10mil

It’s easy to say no to hypothetical questions.

That’s not comparable. We are discussing multi millionaires being offered more millions.

To me, this has parallels with sports teams touring South Africa in the 80s.

 

[rksquire]

Nope, I’d still have to face myself in the mirror every morning.
However, we are not talking about ‘life changing’ sums of money to these guys, they are already wealthy and have enough money to live very comfortably. In fact they can enhance that by earning on the existing tours, you can only be in one place at a time - it’s simple greed.
If everyone said “No, the monies tempting but your morals and ethics stink, I’ll stay where I am” there would be no ’rival’ tour or event.
Paul Casey was a prime example, I applauded his stance in 2019 thinking he was holding the moral high ground, but the mighty sheik dollar was too much temptation for him and he found a way to erase his conscience.
As much as Andy Murray irritates me, he gets my vote for turning down ‘appearance money‘ to play in Saudi.
More power to the likes of Rory, Rahm, Thomas and co who aren’t tempted.
FFS, why does Westwood need to sign a Non Disclosure Agreement? To me, that is a sign that something isn’t quite right.

If everyone said that, there would be no players on any tour.

Players are greedy - that's why the ET haemorrhaged players to the PGA. Athletes, and all their associates (families, agents, PR companies, accountants etc.) are greedy. Teams are greedy. Organisations are greedy. Sponsors are greedy. That's why F1 goes where it goes. That's why we have a World Cup in Qatar. If everyone said "your morals and ethics stink" then we would have no Masters at Augusta. No appearance fees for players. No (winter or summer) Olympics in Russia or China. No new owners at Newcastle (or Chelsea, Man City etc.). The PGA wouldn't be counting down the days until Tiger returns.

NDAs for athlete's and contracts is commonplace - you're entering a marketplace with direct competitors and trying to entice 'private contractors' (the players) as well negotiate for venues in the same regions, I would have thought an NDA is a pre-requisite. Rory, Rahm and Thomas may not be tempted - for now. McIlroy has went from being 'very much against it' to now saying those participating can't be criticised. If the money flows and it's successful, I suspect all three will re-consider it - but I could be wrong, after all McIlroy has remained loyal to the Irish Open and the European Tour rather than 'selfishly' follow his own agenda.

 

[Golfnut1957]

If everyone said that, there would be no players on any tour.

Players are greedy - that's why the ET haemorrhaged players to the PGA. Athletes, and all their associates (families, agents, PR companies, accountants etc.) are greedy. Teams are greedy. Organisations are greedy. Sponsors are greedy. That's why F1 goes where it goes. That's why we have a World Cup in Qatar. If everyone said "your morals and ethics stink" then we would have no Masters at Augusta. No appearance fees for players. No (winter or summer) Olympics in Russia or China. No new owners at Newcastle (or Chelsea, Man City etc.). The PGA wouldn't be counting down the days until Tiger returns.

NDAs for athlete's and contracts is commonplace - you're entering a marketplace with direct competitors and trying to entice 'private contractors' (the players) as well negotiate for venues in the same regions, I would have thought an NDA is a pre-requisite. Rory, Rahm and Thomas may not be tempted - for now. McIlroy has went from being 'very much against it' to now saying those participating can't be criticised. If the money flows and it's successful, I suspect all three will re-consider it - but I could be wrong, after all McIlroy has remained loyal to the Irish Open and the European Tour rather than 'selfishly' follow his own agenda.

I couldn't agree more and will add that as long as major multi-nationals and governments continue to do business with these countries with little or no regards for human rights, why should individuals be singled out and expected to do otherwise.

 

[Rlburnside]

I couldn't agree more and will add that as long as major multi-nationals and governments continue to do business with these countries with little or no regards for human rights, why should individuals be singled out and expected to do otherwise.

Your right governments cause more problems than they solve our arms policy is a disgrace.

Perhaps we should all boycott watching premier league games involving Newcastle, Man City, Chelsea etc where all the dirty money comes from as well.

 

[Deleted member 29109]

It would be easier to list where the clean money comes from.

I’ll wait…….

 

[Lord Tyrion]

It would be easier to list where the clean money comes from.

I’ll wait…….

I hope you aren't holding your breath at this point. You could well be expiring ?

 

[Barking_Mad]

Was it the Panama, or Paradise, Papers controversy, he was mixed up in ?

https://www.espn.com/golf/story/_/i...nis-player-thomas-enqvist-named-panama-papers

 

[IanM]

Just seen an event at Celtic Manor in August.. that's handy. Might even do some martialling

 

[Barking_Mad]

It's why you shouldnt have heroes and idols in sport. There's very few who are worth any kind of respect outside their ability to 'do sport'. Many seem prepared to trash their reputation own reputation in European golf for a few dollars more.

What exactly is it they want to buy that they can't already afford?

Even their 'charitable foundations' are just tax dodges.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

It's why you shouldnt have heroes and idols in sport. There's very few who are worth any kind of respect outside their ability to 'do sport'. Many seem prepared to trash their reputation own reputation in European golf for a few dollars more.

What exactly is it they want to buy that they can't already afford?

Even their 'charitable foundations' are just tax dodges.

I think there is a nugget or truth in this post but also a dollop of cynicism. I have had a few idols in sport, primarily Seve and Faldo in golf. Were both perfect angels off the course (Faldo had several wives for example) and some footballers were definitely fallen angels (Best, Gascoigne). However I think a lot of the sports people with foundations do a lot to good, particularly those in the US that do so much to help sick and underprivileged kids and so to that extent I am prepared to turn a blind eye to keep the help for those that need it coming

 

[Deleted member 23270]

Saw that....
As he's Mr Ryder Cup that might sway him to dodge it.
I wonder what will happen to those that take the money..will they be ostracised by the rest of golf forever?

Quick google search lists his nett worth at $60m. 22 big ones is a pile of cash but does he really need it?

 

[Imurg]

Quick google search lists his nett worth at $60m. 22 big ones is a pile of cash but does he really need it?

He doesn't need it at all.
If he can't live out his life with 60m in the bank then he's doing something wrong.
Bryson allegedly being offered 100m....that's going to take some turning down.

 

[pendodave]

Just turned on the golf, and matteo manessero (sp) is just off the lead at 8 under. Blimey, I didn't know he was still playing. Hopefully his good form continues, he's had a very strange career.

 

[MarkT]

It would be something else if, in among all the talks of Saudi millions, Manassero won the event.

Big Bryson has pulled out with an injury which isn't probably how the sponsors will have pictured it

 

[Blue in Munich]

Maybe going to Saudi allows people to highlight what goes on there. Shine a light on their issues and they might change.

I presume those that think golfers going to Saudi don’t buy goods from or visit other countries that have questionable human rights records?

Man bites hand that feeds him? Don't see it happening myself.

 

[Blue in Munich]

Funny how so many people are suddenly worried about the human rights of people in other countries when a few sports stars are getting paid to go their. Where was the concern previously ??‍. Especially from those who think refugees should be left in the channel.

How many concerned people are happy to buy goods from China, or watch golf in the US, or are watching the Winter Olympics in China?

If most people against the golf in Saudi were honest, they are just envious of the money being paid out. They would be over there like a rat up a drain pipe if offered even a small percentage of what some of the golfers are earning.

Not everyone is like that of course.

It sometimes somewhat difficult not to buy goods from China, doesn't necessarily mean I'm happy about it. How many of the American golf companies have their club components manufactured or those components assembled in China?

 

[Depreston]

Lot of Newcastle fans on the board ?