LIV Golf

[Mel Smooth]

I found it very weird that the PGA made an exemption that included Smith but not Hatton. Smith's game is in the bin at the moment, whereas Hatton is still ranked 21st in the official rankings (making him the highest-ranked LIV player in fact). Plus, you'd probably have more chance of coaxing Rahm + Hatton back as a pair than you do dividing them up. Missed a trick there.

Even in Data Golf, Hatton is 36th to Smith's 122nd.

Luring Smith away would have massively destabilised The Rippers, and LIV’s biggest market to date.

 

[Orikoru]

Luring Smith away would have massively destabilised The Rippers, and LIV’s biggest market to date.

 

[doublebogey7]

It was, yeah, they said something about major winners across the last x number of years didn't they? But they didn't have to say that at all, they could've made the criteria anything they wanted. Maybe add in anyone who's maintained a top 50 world ranking for example. I'd have thought Hatton was a very desirable asset to try and win back.

I doubt the PGAT are that bothered about having either Hatton or Cam Smith in their ranks, their main aims were clearly BDC and Rahm, the criteria just happened to include Smith. I wou though agree that Hatton would have been a bigger attraction, just not big enough.

 

[Orikoru]

I doubt the PGAT are that bothered about having either Hatton or Cam Smith in their ranks, their main aims were clearly BDC and Rahm, the criteria just happened to include Smith. I wou though agree that Hatton would have been a bigger attraction, just not big enough.

Sure, but as I mentioned, including Hatton might have been a factor in getting Rahm as well? Maybe they're not as close in real life as they appear, but I'd imagine they are. If Hatton went first, for example, it feels like one less reason for Rahm to stay.

 

[IanM]

Luring Smith away would have massively destabilised The Rippers, and LIV’s biggest market to date.

I had to Google "Rippers," but now assume it means "Australia is LIVs biggest market."

 

[Mel Smooth]

Sure, but as I mentioned, including Hatton might have been a factor in getting Rahm as well? Maybe they're not as close in real life as they appear, but I'd imagine they are. If Hatton went first, for example, it feels like one less reason for Rahm to stay.

Do you think Rahm would be willing to write off tens of millions of dollars to go back to the PGAT 'B' league?

 

[Arthur Wedge]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2017285786605899821

 

[Hoganman1]

I'm so glad to see some of these guys are leaving or at least thinking about leaving LIV. Frankly, Rahm and Hatton are the only two I want to come back. I know a lot of people like DeChambeau but I could not care less about him.