LIV Golf

[RRidges]

I dont understand why professional golf needs another tour and especially one with a format that LIV are selling. Its not something that i'd be willing to pay to watch.

If the money wasnt so good there wouldn't be no discussion.

It doesn't!
This is simply GN's resurrection of an anti PGA Tour circus that he proposed out of spite a long time ago. He couldn't find the funding then, but he has now, from a bunch of equally amoral folk who are simply using the circus to sportswash.

 

[Blue in Munich]

I wish there was more factual information available rather that click bait internet articles and multiple forum assumptions. I think it’s very fair to say that ever contributor to this thread has made a certain amount of assumptions (including myself) a lot of which are influenced by personal views.

Hopefully as this model evolves more transparency is available (excluding contracts).

There is, we've got Mel...

 

[RRidges]

I knew the forging was based in Japan, wasn’t aware if the full company was. It’s interesting to see why some sponsors have run a mile and others have stayed committed.

Bridgestone Golf is part of the Bridgestone massive conglomerate driven mainly by Tyres. It bought Firestone some time ago.
Golfing products are probably derived from, rubber based, ball production and consequent expansion into other golf related products, though it wouldn't surprise me if club production was a vanity project by a CEO. Their clubs are really good though and they are #1 ball producer in Japan. Likewise, they'd be very concerned that bad publicity could seriously damage their entire reputation, so it's likely a defensive move as much as anything.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I didn’t answer that question because quite frankly, it’s a ridiculous one.

They already travel to play events on the PGA Tour, they are playing less 3 DAY events on LIV, and when they travel, LIV supply a private jet which looks like a flying nightclub.

I’m sure they can cope with one trip to Thailand and one trip to Saudi this year.

I thought they were also looking to play on the Asian Tour as well ? Is that not further travel away from home - Singapore , Korea China , Taiwan amongst others ?‍

 

[RRidges]

Exactly. They have said it in a professional manor as to remain credible and profession.

Henrick could hardly say “ I lost a bucket load of cash and this is my opportunity to recoup it “ even though that’s exactly what he has done.

He apparently lost 8m of the 20+M he was worth a the time. Bucket load certainly, but he still had plenty.

 

[Oddsocks]

He apparently lost 8m of the 20+M he was worth a the time. Bucket load certainly, but he still had plenty.

But if he is used to that nett worth, surely he will chase that wealth again whether he needs to or not?

 

[Mel Smooth]

I thought they were also looking to play on the Asian Tour as well ? Is that not further travel away from home - Singapore , Korea China , Taiwan amongst others ?‍

Phil. Here is a groundbreaking concept for you.

Some will want to play pretty frequently, and increase their opportunities for OWGR points. They may well choose to play Asian Tour events.

Some, will want to spend more time at home, and can if they so choose

Come on, you know full well that some have made the comments about playing less, but it doesn’t mean that every single LIV golfer will want to do that.
The thing is, you even know that’s the case but you can’t help yourself trying to pick holes in every comment I make, can you?

 

[Deleted member 1418]

Still think the 'less golf, more time with family' arguments are pretty weak IMO.

Look at the Billy Horschel interview the other week at the Scottish Open (I think).

He said PGA Tour require a minimum of 15 events for membership. If you play those and make enough money to keep your card, you don't have to play any more.

15 weeks work, 37 weeks at home looks a good deal to me!

And as BH also said, he sits down with his wife and family to plan his schedule - I would imagine every pro who is married with a family does so. Everyone knows when they'll be at home and when they won't.

Let's not forget that there are a fair few players on the LIV tour that were not making many weekends anyway! So could argue that with LIV they are playing more than what they were doing on the PGA!!

Will be interesting to see what a lot of the US based players think about LIV further down the line when more events are added, especially as to 'grow the game' a significant number will need to be outside the US.

Unless of course the vast majority of the sports washing will be helped by Donald Trump and his US courses (11 according to Google!!)

 

[Blue in Munich]

Phil. Here is a groundbreaking concept for you.

Some will want to play pretty frequently, and increase their opportunities for OWGR points. They may well choose to play Asian Tour events.

Some, will want to spend more time at home, and can if they so choose

Come on, you know full well that some have made the comments about playing less, but it doesn’t mean that every single LIV golfer will want to do that.
The thing is, you even know that’s the case but you can’t help yourself trying to pick holes in every comment I make, can you?

Which equally applies to you picking holes with anyone whose comments have an issue with the LIV tour.

 

[Barking_Mad]

I didn’t answer that question because quite frankly, it’s a ridiculous one.

They already travel to play events on the PGA Tour, they are playing less 3 DAY events on LIV, and when they travel, LIV supply a private jet which looks like a flying nightclub.

I’m sure they can cope with one trip to Thailand and one trip to Saudi this year.

Hmm

Stunning new footage has emerged of the ‘absurd’ private jet being used to transport players on the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour.

The video, posted on the Tik Tok account of South African golfer Michael Farley, shows LIV players Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Pat Perez among others, enjoying the opulent surrounds of the luxury plane.

The focal point of the video is Perez, who is seen striding through the cabin with his arms outstretched singing ‘We Are the Champions’ by Queen.

Ironically, Perez shot a final round 80 as he finished 29th out of 48 players at the second LIV Golf event at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Oregon last week.
Despite a sub-par individual performance, the 46-year-old still walked away with the tidy sum of USD $900,000 by virtue of being on the winning team alongside Johnson, Patrick Reed and Taylor Gooch

What's not to like? ?

 

[Dando]

This was brought up yesterday , it certainly explains the new found trend on “ breaking news” podcasts.

didn't see that.

i might contact the people involved and see if i can get blocked by them

i did hear that the camera shy paige spirinac may have been tempted my the saudi $. now if she's forced cover up her Pro V 36dd's then it'll be the biggest crime the world has ever witnessed

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I’m

Phil. Here is a groundbreaking concept for you.

Some will want to play pretty frequently, and increase their opportunities for OWGR points. They may well choose to play Asian Tour events.

Some, will want to spend more time at home, and can if they so choose

Come on, you know full well that some have made the comments about playing less, but it doesn’t mean that every single LIV golfer will want to do that.
The thing is, you even know that’s the case but you can’t help yourself trying to pick holes in every comment I make, can you?

This is all a bit confusing ?‍

It was yesterday you were talking about the Asian Tour taking over the ET tour as the number 2 Tour in golf - because of the increase in the players from LiV , due to the increase in the funds and also the increase in the International series ?‍

Yes some players have made someone comments - like Poulter , and then complained when he couldn’t play in the Scottish Open - maybe we shouldn’t take what the players say as gospel because many have said a number of things but then when dollars put in front of them they all seemed to have memory loss

 

[Oddsocks]

didn't see that.

i might contact the people involved and see if i can get blocked by them

i did hear that the camera shy paige spirinac may have been tempted my the saudi $. now if she's forced cover up her Pro V 36dd's then it'll be the biggest crime the world has ever witnessed

the Saudis don’t have enough money to cover them puppies!

 

[Ethan]

Who is losing their ??

Can we not have a simple discussion now without resorting to this?

There is no credible reason for LiV golf to exist other than to try and improve the image of the Saudi Kingdom.

They have no interest in growing the game or any other such noble endeavours.

Greg Norman is only interested in sticking it to the PGAT.

The players are only interested in the money.

If they all came out and said this then I wouldn’t have a problem with it. But when you read the press releases from the players that have been written by lawyers justifying their decisions, it reeks of embarrassment.

Call that losing my ? if you want.

I’ve often wondered how people fall for scams and hand over their life savings. Having read some of the stuff from the people posting regularly in support of LiV. I can now understand why.

I agree with this. The LIV Tour can set up whatever it likes, wherever it likes, and get to work sanitising the image of Saudi. Maybe they will set up a special event for Pride just to really challenge themselves and our prejudices about them. Trying to brand it as growing golf or fighting a monopoly and an injustice to poor millionaire golfers grates.

But IMHO Greg Norman is not interested in peace or co-operation, he wants to win over the PGA Tour and in doing so exorcise some of his personal issues which in reality are based in his reputation collapsing in majors.

And the players knew 100% that going over risked their PGA Tour or DP World Tour membership and Ryder Cup eligibility. Going anyway and then whining about it afterwards is pretty infantile.

If Stenson came out and said "Look, I am getting to the point where I am not really competitive any more. I won't qualify for the RC, being Captain isn't really commercial worth it, so I am going to grab the cash while I can, pay myself back for some of the money lost to Allen Stanford, and I accept I will get kicked out of the PGA Tour, and probably the DP World Tour, but that is a price I am prepared to pay", then I think we would say "OK, fair enough".

A lot of us agreed that it made total sense for Richard Bland, and it makes some degree of sense for others too. But Bland isn't expecting to have it both ways.

 

[Oddsocks]

Can someone educate me as to what is driving this grudge / grudges of GN? I see them referred to a lot but I’m oblivious to them.

 

[Ethan]

Can someone educate me as to what is driving this grudge / grudges of GN? I see them referred to a lot but I’m oblivious to them.

Two aspects.

Mostly the 1994 World Tour issue, linked to here.

An element of Greg Norman blaming others for his own failure to turn his ability into major wins.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Can someone educate me as to what is driving this grudge / grudges of GN? I see them referred to a lot but I’m oblivious to them.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/golf/g...o/news-story/f236e594f7fdc26851cb9c39f303fbf2

 

[Dando]

Can someone educate me as to what is driving this grudge / grudges of GN? I see them referred to a lot but I’m oblivious to them.

They banned him from using pink castle tees

 

[Ethan]

Funny piece in Golf Digest on LIV Golf.

Couple of gags:

Patrick Reed got $80 million to defect. LIV Golf paid $20 million and the PGA Tour the other $60 million.

LIV Golf plays 54 holes. Greg Norman didn't like playing on Sundays much either.

 

[BrianM]

I can’t believe the angle people are wanting them to say they are moving for more money, business decision is the correct terminology, surely no one thinks otherwise ?
I’d never say to my employer I’m moving companies because I’m getting 20k a year more, you’d say it’s a business decision……