Running 2022 Golf Thread

Phillip Price making a comeback?

 

I guess everyone has a line which they won’t cross. I’m sure a lot of those WNBA players who signed for teams run by oligarchs didn’t think too hard about where the money came from. And most sports team owners aren’t heroes.

But for me, this sportswashing is so blatant. LIV is almost certainly never going to turn a profit and the aim is so clearly to have people make a positive association with the Saudis. It’s not even like buying PSG or Man City, where there already was an existing fan base. If I am an official who is offered a multiple of my annual salary, I can see the temptation. But for the players, it’s just cashing a bigger check which likely won’t impact their generational wealth.

 

Nah, the #1 domestic terrorist group in the US are the MAGA types, and they love LIV.

 

By the way, was watching a documentary about John DeLorean the other night and it mentioned he had an estate in Bedminster, NJ. Turns out his estate is now the golf course lol.

 

Am I right that the LIVers are done earning world ranking points for this year? I guess they might be able to go play in Japan or South Africa, but if this is the case, there are very few chances to play in a major for Stenson, Sergio and Patrick Reed. Westwood, Na and Poulter might not play in another. Are any of these guys going to play in a 36-hole U.S. Open qualifier? Hell no; they've already told the world they're all for taking the easy way out.

 

As Webster and others have pointed out, its not like the LIV is the first Saudi money out there, its all over, LPGA, Premier League, Formula 1, DP World Tour, World Cup, etc. My initial reaction was twofold, (1) I abhor Norman when he's pretending to act in the interests of anyone but himself; and (2) I enjoy the PGA Tour and majors as is and don't want it to change. The defections to date don't change my view. But I realize that I'm not going to sweat it, whatever, its not a big deal in the grand scheme of things.

 

A reminder: Stenson is eligible for the Open until he's 60 as a former champ. Reed and Sergio eligible for the Masters as former champs, as is DJ. DeChambeau and Koepka have years of eligibility for all the majors due to their US Open wins. The majors are going to have to change their own rules to prevent this. They may, but since the LIV guys all played at St. Andrews and the ground didn't open up and swallow the course, they also might be content to let their status be quo.

 

The majors don't have to do anything overtly, as they're all represented on the World Golf Ranking panel. That panel is expected to reject the LIV application. If the players are only eligible for the majors by past performance, most will fall off quickly, leaving only those with exemptions via the majors themselves. They will eventually become less competitive. But if they are eligible, let them play, and certainly they should be allowed to try to qualify for the two opens. If not, the rest of golf is as closed a shop as LIV is. If a LIVver wins a major, good for them.

 

Seeing the PGA or any sports body take a moral stand is actually precious.

 

I have to think Koepka's injury issues led him to join LIV and damn the consequences. He really may think he won't be able to play at the championship level either consistently or for much longer.