LIV Golf

[Fore Right]

Great to see the PGA give out these invitations.
Pressure is on Gooch to give a good account of himself though given all the attention.

Liv Golfers have won 44% of majors since 2010

 

[Backsticks]

Its great to see them in. Now almost 7% of the USPGA field will be LIV golfers.

 

[C7usk]

Witb the OWGR out of whack, Liv Golfers starting to get invites to majors

Talor Gooch One Of Two LIV Golfers Given Special Invite To PGA Championship

The 2023 individual champion will tee it up alongside David Puig at the Major, two months after Joaquin Niemann confirmed he would also appear after receiving a special invite

www.golfmonthly.com

Glad Niemann is playing. He is a quality golfer. Not personally fussed about Gooch... At least Puig has tried to get ranking points so fair play to him..

 

[Fore Right]

Its great to see them in. Now almost 7% of the USPGA field will be LIV golfers.

The small % of the field makes it more impressive if they feature on the 1st page of the leaderboard which they have many times.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Interesting comments from Mike Whan here - it's taken some time but the powers that be are looking at finally figuring out pathways into the majors for LIV players - outside of the OWGR. On the back of the invites to the PGA Championship that we've seen in recent days, this is encouraging to see.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1787962798091497539

 

[Singlefiguregokfer]

Common sense would be top x at the prior season end or top y in current season rankings at a certain point before that major starts.

 

[Fore Right]

As time has passed, Liv has become more accepted as part of the pro golf eco system and with a merger seeming further away than ever its inevitable considering some of the players Liv has now that a pathway will be found at some point.

Until then I think we will see special invitations used by the majors where they can.

The full list of Liv special invites for next weeks USPGA is
Dean Burmester (Stinger GC), Talor Gooch (Smash GC), Lucas Herbert (Ripper GC), Adrian Meronk (Cleeks GC), Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), David Puig (Fireballs GC) and Patrick Reed (4Aces GC)

 

[C7usk]

As time has passed, Liv has become more accepted as part of the pro golf eco system and with a merger seeming further away than ever its inevitable considering some of the players Liv has now that a pathway will be found at some point.

Until then I think we will see special invitations used by the majors where they can.

The full list of Liv special invites for next weeks USPGA is
Dean Burmester (Stinger GC), Talor Gooch (Smash GC), Lucas Herbert (Ripper GC), Adrian Meronk (Cleeks GC), Joaquin Niemann (Torque GC), David Puig (Fireballs GC) and Patrick Reed (4Aces GC)

Good to see.. Hopefully stops too much complaining about the lack of Liv players at the event... I like how you felt the need to put their team names in.. .. The USPGA is my least favourite major but I'm starting to look forward to it already for a change.

 

[Singlefiguregokfer]

Good to see.. Hopefully stops too much complaining about the lack of Liv players at the event... I like how you felt the need to put their team names in.. .. The USPGA is my least favourite major but I'm starting to look forward to it already for a change.

Looks like advertising doesn’t it?

 

[BubbaP]

Good to see.. Hopefully stops too much complaining about the lack of Liv players at the event... I like how you felt the need to put their team names in.. .. The USPGA is my least favourite major but I'm starting to look forward to it already for a change.

yep the teams names are irrelevant for that week.
Likely a smart move by the US PGA organisers, I suspect you aren't alone with your thinking - it'll certainly give the media something to stir up - some faux rivalry etc.

 

[Mel Smooth]

Majesticks have already said they aren't planning any changes.....

Unbeleivable Jeff...

LIV Golf launches mid-season trading window | LIV Golf

LIV Golf has launched the League’s first-ever mid-season trading window to support opportunities for teams to improve.

www.livgolf.com

 

[Fore Right]

Good to see.. Hopefully stops too much complaining about the lack of Liv players at the event... I like how you felt the need to put their team names in.. .. The USPGA is my least favourite major but I'm starting to look forward to it already for a change.

TBH I just copy and pasted it from the Liv website

16 LIV Golf players are set for next week's PGA | LIV Golf

Here's a look at the 16 LIV Golf players competing at Valhalla.

www.livgolf.com

 

[Slab]

(For the first time) I actually have some sympathy for Rory and how he’s being treated by the Americans (& I’ll call them that rather than the PGAT because Rory & many nationalities are part of the pgat, but it seems to be an American element most against any conflict resolution)

Seems, perhaps not surprisingly, the Americans want to keep the dominance/alpha position and are least likely to make concessions. Is it just big business or maybe cultural? Either way looks like it’ll rumble on for some time

 

[Fore Right]

(For the first time) I actually have some sympathy for Rory and how he’s being treated by the Americans (& I’ll call them that rather than the PGAT because Rory & many nationalities are part of the pgat, but it seems to be an American element most against any conflict resolution)

Seems, perhaps not surprisingly, the Americans want to keep the dominance/alpha position and are least likely to make concessions. Is it just big business or maybe cultural? Either way looks like it’ll rumble on for some time

I think the conflict is obvious.

Rory is pushing for a merger and develop a world tour.

The policy board of American golfers have little appetite for a merger and want PGAT events to stay in the USA.

 

[Mel Smooth]

I think the conflict is obvious.

Rory is pushing for a merger and develop a world tour.

The policy board of American golfers have little appetite for a merger and want PGAT events to stay in the USA.

If they maintain that position, the PGAT will become a support tour to the inevitable evolution of pro golf that supports an international schedule - LIV or otherwise.

I get the feeling that the PIF are happy to take their time, and see each hand as the PGAT play it - right now they look like they are fractured and divided and negotiating on the hoof.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

I think the conflict is obvious.

Rory is pushing for a merger and develop a world tour.

The policy board of American golfers have little appetite for a merger and want PGAT events to stay in the USA.

Think the clue is in the name of the tour - it’s a US Tour , their market is the US , that’s where their viewers are , they won’t put on events when their market is fast asleep

The World Tour idea needs huge markets across multiple areas and those markets are not there

Australia is a decent market , Europe is ok , US is huge

But looking at any event in other areas - Africa , China , Middle East etc are very thin and wouldn’t be able to sustain any significant huge market

The DP tour goes all over the world and the impact is small , the crowds are small in a lot of areas. Liv going to Middle East , Far East also showing small crowds

If there is to be a world tour then its needs huge levels of sponsorship

The US Corporate area which has for years financially supported the professional world won’t want to throw money at events that won’t be seen by their market

The WGCs showed that it’s a struggle

And then there are the players - how many with families want to travel all over the world - there aren’t many sports where the participants with families compete all over the world

 

[HomerJSimpson]

( Is it just big business or maybe cultural? Either way looks like it’ll rumble on for some time

Both

 

[PJ87]

TBH I just copy and pasted it from the Liv website

16 LIV Golf players are set for next week's PGA | LIV Golf

Here's a look at the 16 LIV Golf players competing at Valhalla.

www.livgolf.com

I read that Louis oszhanzen (excuse my poor spelling) was invited but turned it down due to other commitments

Seems like he is happy playing less and enjoying family time ..

Good on him

 

[rksquire]

Think the clue is in the name of the tour - it’s a US Tour , their market is the US , that’s where their viewers are , they won’t put on events when their market is fast asleep

The World Tour idea needs huge markets across multiple areas and those markets are not there

Australia is a decent market , Europe is ok , US is huge

But looking at any event in other areas - Africa , China , Middle East etc are very thin and wouldn’t be able to sustain any significant huge market

The DP tour goes all over the world and the impact is small , the crowds are small in a lot of areas. Liv going to Middle East , Far East also showing small crowds

If there is to be a world tour then its needs huge levels of sponsorship

The US Corporate area which has for years financially supported the professional world won’t want to throw money at events that won’t be seen by their market

The WGCs showed that it’s a struggle

And then there are the players - how many with families want to travel all over the world - there aren’t many sports where the participants with families compete all over the world

Hard to disagree with the sentiment of any of this, although fundamentally I think a change is needed as arguably the innovations by the PGAT haven't gripped viewers or sponsors and the SIF will want returns regardless. I would say the PGATs 'mission' is to bring the best players to a worldwide audience, but evidently this doesn't mean in person.

Marketed correctly, a world tour with the actual best players surely has an appeal? Out of 14 events you could easily put together a schedule to satisfy everyone - even if that means 7 are on US soil for example. US Corporations are no longer willing to throw money at the PGAT and their 2 tiered system; that landscape is changing. LIV is really an organization in it's infancy, lots of money but yet to establish substance - it's immediate ambitions were really far to lofty to be successful, but it is experiencing a slower growth and acceptance. The PGAT didn't learn from LIVs mistake - the changes were too rapid, reactive and not thought through; it had a perch to fall from and that is what is happening. Divisions amongst the players; in the policy board; Jay remaining in a job, viewing figures, etc. Fans just find it unpalatable (It is true that those same fans also find the LIV money / defection and the Saudi influence unpalatable so LIVs expected audience share of 'golf' fan never materialized, but it has found a different sub-set, from a much lower base, but it is growing; conversely, the PGAT is losing fans (Tiger decline?) and struggling to find 'new' fans).

I also have an issue about players who don't want to travel the world. All other sports that are 'tour' based have to do it - tennis & formula 1 for example - so I don't think that should be an issue in dictating what happens. Really, that shouldn't be a decision for the players - either you want to play this tour or you don't.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Hard to disagree with the sentiment of any of this, although fundamentally I think a change is needed as arguably the innovations by the PGAT haven't gripped viewers or sponsors and the SIF will want returns regardless. I would say the PGATs 'mission' is to bring the best players to a worldwide audience, but evidently this doesn't mean in person.

Marketed correctly, a world tour with the actual best players surely has an appeal? Out of 14 events you could easily put together a schedule to satisfy everyone - even if that means 7 are on US soil for example. US Corporations are no longer willing to throw money at the PGAT and their 2 tiered system; that landscape is changing. LIV is really an organization in it's infancy, lots of money but yet to establish substance - it's immediate ambitions were really far to lofty to be successful, but it is experiencing a slower growth and acceptance. The PGAT didn't learn from LIVs mistake - the changes were too rapid, reactive and not thought through; it had a perch to fall from and that is what is happening. Divisions amongst the players; in the policy board; Jay remaining in a job, viewing figures, etc. Fans just find it unpalatable (It is true that those same fans also find the LIV money / defection and the Saudi influence unpalatable so LIVs expected audience share of 'golf' fan never materialized, but it has found a different sub-set, from a much lower base, but it is growing; conversely, the PGAT is losing fans (Tiger decline?) and struggling to find 'new' fans).

I also have an issue about players who don't want to travel the world. All other sports that are 'tour' based have to do it - tennis & formula 1 for example - so I don't think that should be an issue in dictating what happens. Really, that shouldn't be a decision for the players - either you want to play this tour or you don't.

Can’t disagree with what you’re saying

But I think the problem with world events is sustainability- especially at the level of money that’s been thrown at the players currently by LIV and PGAT

Need to find a lot of sponsers to make it sustainable and then also media rights , they are huge for the US tour - those companies pay a lot of money to broadcast events. Needs a lot of clever contracts to wrap them up

And whilst I agree that players should be ok playing around the world in the same way as tennis players or F1 but a lot of those top players in those sports are still single lads without families etc - most of the top guys in golf - all married etc


What IMO should happen is some events in - Africa , Europe , Asia and Aus - maybe 2 each - where the top 70 are invited and play for big money


Then you have the four majors , then the relevant tours

But those top 70 also have inclusions of say the top 10 from each tour