The closer you look at this Greg Norman-inspired, Saudi-dirty-money funded exhibition/circus that is the LIV, the more you see the desperation.
Norman and his Saudi pals found themselves rubbing elbows with The Donald this weekend at Trump’s Bedminster hideaway and that’s where this thing started to deteriorate. With AC/DC music blaring (yeah, who doesn’t like that?), the proceedings eventually broke out in a Donald Trump political rally. Get you MAGA hats in the pro shop — only 35 bucks each, yeah, that’s the ticket. If anything should be a buy-one, get-one-free, well, save your 35 bucks.
Under the glare of New York/New Jersey media members, some of the truth, the reality of this show begins to leak out — this is pretty much an exhibition atmosphere — attendance is so sparse you can converse with your favorite aging stars on the tee box as they wait for the green to clear on par threes. No concentration level needed, everyone’s getting paid regardless of how bad they play and that’s a good thing for 50-something Phil Mickelson, who’s averaged around 75 shots a round — a good solid three-handicapper!
Phil, who used to be a darling in this region of the country, actually got heckled. On day one at the par three 16th, good old Lefty was preparing to hit his tee shot when someone yelled: “Do It For The Saudi Royal Family!!!” Well, their slogan is “Golf, Only Louder” and apparently said heckler was too loud for the proceedings and was threatened with ejection from the place by Saudi-paid security on site. Just remember, no free speech in The Kingdom.
Phil then politely parked his tee shot in a green-side bunker then sent his next shot over the green, into the water on the other side of the hole. He did manage to make a miracle bogey. On day one Lefty finished four-over, tied for 43rd in a 48-man field. Now you know why he signed up for a fat payday — no practice, no good performance necessary, yes, there’s crappy golf but free beer! As Greg says, it’s good for the game.
No wonder they didn’t sign Charles Barkley to comment on this stuff, “Crappy Golf” would have become his call sign and eventually, it would have made it’s way to the Crown Prince and good old Chuck might have been in deep doo-doo.
Truth be known, the majority of these 48-man fields fail to shoot even par for their 54-hole shotgun starts and that was the case again this go-round as 30 of the 48 couldn’t reach even par.
Yes, as Chuck would say, it’s really crappy golf but hey — they’ve got AC/DC blaring through giant speakers! Wow, that’s something to write home about.
This week’s winner was none other than disgraced former European Ryder Cup captain Henrik Stenson, who hasn’t been competitive on the world stage in several years. He found happiness in the land of the over-40 retirement funding with a victory. He shot 11-under par, two better than Matt Wolff, who fled the PGA Tour with his fragile mental state and Dustin Johnson, who hadn’t won on the PGA Tour since the 2020 November Masters and is now zero-for-three against a bunch of guys who simply aren’t as good as he used to be.
Just remember, as Greg says, it’s good for the game, good for the fans, good for the players.
Bring on the free beer.
Sean Crocker Goes Wire-To-Wire At Hero Open:
American Sean Crocker came through in the clutch Sunday and held off Eddie Pepperell to win the Hero Open at St. Andrews Fairmont.
It was Crocker’s first victory on the DP World tour.
Crocker started the final round with a two-shot lead and saw it cut to one at the turn. He then birdied three of the first four holes to start his inward nine — got to 22-under par then ground out six straight pars to edge Pepperell, who was in the clubhouse at 21-under. His final round 68 got the job done.
Crocker, who started the 2022 season with eight missed cuts and a WD in his first nine events, holed a nervous four-footer at the 72nd hole for the win.
Pepperell finished solo finishing with 65.
“Winning a golf tournament is not easy. And Eddie did not make that easy for me either,” Crocker said after hoisting the trophy. “After the three-putt par on the 15th I kind of thought I still had a little bit of room but they’re not easy holes coming down that stretch. It was a great save on the 17th, and then I thought I could make it pretty easy – it’s a par five coming in – but I don’t think it’s ever easy to make a par to win a golf tournament. That was pretty special.
“I was nervous. I’ve felt pressure like that before but it’s my first pro tournament (win). That putt looked like it was 20 feet, that hole looked like it was half-an-inch wide,” said Crocker, describing his final putt. “Right off the face I knew it was a well-struck putt and as I looked up and I saw it drop I was telling myself ‘don’t start crying’. It’s awesome. It just shows you that you just don’t know what this game is going to bring you.
“We go out there every day trying our hardest and we can play terrible for a long time and then all of a sudden you have a week like this where every bounce seemed to go my way, putts dropped, I hit the ball beautifully and it just makes me appreciate this game I play and what I get to do for a living. I hope I keep putting myself in this position. That door has been locked shut for me for almost five years. To go wire to wire I think I knocked the door clean off its hinges, which is nice.”
Rookie Furue Shoots 62, Takes Women’s Scottish Open:
Rookie Ayaka Furue from Japan blew away the field Sunday at the Women’s Scottish Open with a course-record 10-under par 62 on Sunday at the Dumbarnie Links.
She started the final round four shots back of 54-hole co-leaders Celine Boutier and Lydia Ko at 11-under par. She made six straight birdies starting at the sixth hole to tie for the lead with Boutier.
Boutier bogeyed the 13th and Furue birdied the 15th to jump into the lead. The 22-year-old from Japan was 19-under with three to play. All she did was finish birdie-birdie and posted 21-under with that 62. Boutier couldn’t catch her and Furue had her first win.
“I was four shots back. I thought it would be difficult to catch the top, good players,” Furue said afterward. “But I’m very happy I played good golf and I was able to come out as a winner,”
She hit 13 of 14 fairways and 17 of 18 greens on her way to the new course record. “I had the right mindset. I thought I had to go low, and I played very well. I hit good shots. All around my game was good, and the birdie putts I wanted to make and had to make, I was able to make.”
Furue’s 62 marks her lowest recorded score on the LPGA Tour and her four-day total of 267 is her new career-best for 72 holes. Her total of -21 is the new tournament scoring record in relation to par and with the win.”
Boutier was disappointed with the loss. She made four bogeys and seven birdies in the final round, but just wasn’t able to keep up with Furue’s momentum.
“I started making some bogeys and I feel like it’s not easy, playing in the final group. Then obviously when someone just has their day, you just can’t do anything about it really,” said Boutier who hit nine of 14 fairways and 15 of 18 greens. “It was a little bit windy, a little bit of preparation for next week, and I think that’s the main thing is I don’t think I could have expected a better week than how I played.”
18 Comments
baxter cepeda
I do see desperation but not from LIv. I see desperation from those biased media members continuing to do everything they can to portray an unrealistic view of LIv.
Literally reading articles today where they won’t even mention the LIv winners name—Henrique stenson. A winner who’s name the biased established media —who have enjoyed a long relationship with the pga tour— dragged through the mud the last few weeks for taking 10s of millions of dollars to do his job.
In another clear sign of desperation the euros fired this weeks LIv champ from a (I believe unpaid) captain role he earned through decades of work; especially from his success playing in the Ryder cup for free.
another writer mentioned no one remembers who won 3 weeks ago. I do. People do. Brandon Grace won and Ortiz made that unbelievable putt to help his team get third. And the. It was the most memorable non major moment of the year.
Although Tony Finau winning back to back is going to be quite memorable despite it getting easier and easier to win on Monahan—and all the established medias— tour.
But even more memorable than Tony cruising to win in Detroit, was the Stensonator doing what he did in his inaugural LIv event.
Established media may not want to mention his name or tell the story of Stenson sticking it to them all, especially the media still trying to clean up Monahans messy work. But the Swedes accomplishment was downright epic considering everything. EPIC. Another extremely memorable win IMO.
Another sign of desperation from the established media are all these national headlines of a heckler trolling a LIv player. They did it to Poulter at the Open even though he genuinely didn’t hear anything over most people doing basic golf fan stuff like clapping.
Now They are making headlines over one guy saying to Phil do it for the Saudis?
Talk about desperation. Absolute nonsense.
But I’m absolutely ok with some free beer. I always find myself in places saying this place needs free beer. And yes AC DC anytime makes me happy.
But am not happy with the Trump factor.
Trump brings as many people as he drives people away, but golf needs to not drive anyone away anymore; well maybe some of those Trump folks can be driven away.
Regardless of politics, this man fooled people into starting an unfounded insurrection. Many of his followers are on watch lists for hate. He himself should be punished, he should not be able to run for anything, and certainly shouldn’t be allowed to make a mockery of a golf event simply because he put up a golf course. These shenanigans are why the pga tour got rid of Trump courses… the pga tour also agree with much of Trumps views and benefit from his courses but not enough to allow him to distract from their product.
I’m hopeful Norman and LIv like the pga tour will realize they can’t have that again and make the necessary adjustments, as in stay off Trump courses ASAP.
Tom Edrington
Sorry Baxter, more Trump courses on tap for LIV, most places do NOT want them on their grounds…..as I pointed out, 30 of 48 shot over par and would be missing cuts on the PGA Tour. This is, without a doubt, an inferior product….FACT!
baxter cepeda
You need to learn the meaning of fact Tom. This is already comparable and again, it’s still growing. Reports now saying after the presidents cup LIv can expect a contingent of internationals joining.
Again no arguments on trump.
I don’t think it is that hard for Liv to get great courses, especially as they move international. But they seem to want the challenge these renovated Trump courses provide. And of course Shark could be a little more aware of politics. Working with the Saudis is one thing but Trump is a whole mother monster.
I must point out it is funny how according to reports LIv suffers from Trump but Trump suffers from LIv.
Anyways. I’m sorry Tom but comparing scores is moronic. I have to say it. We’ve talked about this already.
The pga tour is mostly played on patchy rough obsolete courses. These first 3 Liv events were played on courses that were long, well roughed and bunkered, tough greens. Like real actual tests for people playing golf for millions.
The pga tour still have the issue of too many events pushing 30- under because no one does anything to keep up with the times. I’m guaranteeing you Tony may have won the LIv event this week but his score would have been much closer Henriks than his score in motor City.
Bunkers were nowhere near in play in Detroit. If there is one thing pga tour courses need is moving the darn fairway bunkers. You can’t have guys going 5o yards over bunkers designed to be the only challenge on the hole.
Tom Edrington
Let me get this straight, you’re telling a former NATIONAL award-winning writer (honored twice by GWAA) that I need to learn the meaning of fact? Tread carefully Baxter.
petertelfer
LIV is unexciting. not sure why jay is so afraid .
I enjoy reading dogleg. I am impressed by tom’s ability to always find the worst in a person.
engaging with saudis is nothing new. u.s./world depends on its oil. good reason for dumping fossils and being energy independent .
pga players are motivated by money, just like everyone else. a few can afford to reject LIV payouts and promote themselves as principled.
the mooch is a good example of pga privilege. he was correct in saying $10k to el toucan was a lot for a Mexican.
if his handlers had apologised for him, given $100k to el toucan, dropped another $100k to boys and girls club of Mexico City, and trousered the remaining $1M, he could have given the impression he is a nice guy.
the market place should decide LIV versus PGA. too much vitriol in all directions.
Tom Edrington
Thanks Peter….appreciate you weighing in. There’s a difference between buying some stuff from The Kingdom (ie oil) but we get oil from a lot of more sensible companies……what the Defectors have done is become CONTRACT EMPLOYEES of The Kingdom and that’s a different kind of bad……buying their stuff is one thing, working directly for them is another.
baxter cepeda
Eye roll. So whatever you do is ok. But things you cannot do are not ok. Believe that when you are in that position.
baxter cepeda
Congrats on your accomplishments T. And I’m sorry if your offended over the meaning of fact.
But the statement you made is an opinion; especially considering LIv is improving exponentially.
The only real fact at this point is the pga tour is an inferior product of itself… a shell of itself really. That can be measured by the ranked players no longer on the pga tour roster.
LIv is LIv. It wasn’t there recently and now it’s there. They still have things to work on, no doubt.
I was having a hard time this weekend as they had their official UTube link for Bedminster with a picture and graphic of DJ in Portland. How dumb is that?
So I kept clicking on (scam) links asking me for 1$So they can get my credit card. My wife tired of me was ready to pay but Luckily I’m like the hardest man to take a dollar of of so I used that motivation and figured it out. But I’m sure that confusion did not help their views. Super super dumb.
There’s a million other things Liv need to work on but they are getting better every time out.
This story for me is still more about the shortcomings of the pga tour and not so much about LIv or anything else.
Again, the fact is the pga tour is not what it used to be. And the worst part is the man who let this mess happen on his watch is still watching over the pga tour.
The pga tour desperately needs better leadership. But as true as that may seem to many that’s not a fact, it’s just an opinion.
Tom Edrington
LIV is NOT improving, it’s an inferior product and that’s been a widely expressed view by so many qualified observers……The LIV is continually throwing out rumors and other claims that are untrue….and this move to an entire team concept with individual owners is not what Phil and the has-beens signed up for — LIV cannot figure out what it is…..but it’s pretty much an exhibition it meets all the parameters of an “exhibition” and that is a fact, not to be confused with fiction. Next LIV go-round they will be asking the guys who dislike traveling to travel even farther, can’t wait to see how that goes over.
baxter cepeda
Can you please clarify because your making it sound like LIv won’t be giving individual titles moving forward. I haven’t heard anything of
the sort.
LIv was always going to create teams and franchise them.
But lucrative individual titles for players was always part of the plan as well.
They gather the best individuals possible and reward them individually for shooting the lowest scores; meanwhile putting them in small teams that can sell merch.
They possibly may create actual matches between teams in the future. Who knows.
But I don’t see or hear of them getting rid of individual winners taking home 4-5$ million for a win … they know that is the real foundation for success.
But imo this is exactly what these players signed up for. If there is some news I’m not hearing lmk but Liv are doing what they said they would; including being very open to adjusting, which they have as needed.
Somebody from some big news organization (sorry can’t remember who) said it best when he said with Norman and LIv where there is smoke, there usually has been fire. Meaning Many of their player rumors and what not have panned out.
Tom Edrington
There was a recent, very detailed article on it, I read so much that for the moment it escapes me but the emphasis IS going to team stuff, ownership by rich guys (sound familiar?) and other such nonsense that I don’t think people will relate to at all.
baxter cepeda
They are definitely putting some emphasis on team stuff. But Liv definitely not becoming only team stuff.
The players are genuinely enjoying teams. And as they do people catch on.
A big thing for LIv are these cool podium celebrations. Champagne. Fireworks. Music. It makes sense.
Pga tour events are so anti climactic with winners getting a kiss from the miss, a suit handing a trophy, and a few kind words for sponsors.
I do see the team thing working well for LIv but they are not going teams only. Definitely not.
Tom Edrington
Glad LIV has at least one fan in Hawaii!
baxter cepeda
They do.
But what I am is a fan of top 100 golfers. Wherever top 100 guys play I keep an eye on.
Still deciding how to split golf viewing time moving forward. Multiple screens are in order these days.
Tom Edrington
Just for you Baxter, you’re forcing me to do a quality breakdown on the ENTIRE LIV field and outside 12 guys, it gets pretty pathetic…
baxter cepeda
I’d like to hear who your 12 are.
There’s about 12 guys in the top tier for LIv, I agree.
The main crop now Brooks, dj, Bryson, Ancer, Ortiz, Reed, Garcia, Oostheisen, Charl, grace, Gooch, stenson, Na, kokrak, Jones, Casey.
But obviously guys like Phil and Wolff and many others have so much potential.
But yes I agree for now no doubt about it there are some overpaid boys on LIv. These boys are there for a reason, to motivate the players that should be in those spots.
I see about 30 very solid players, albeit some of those guys are getting up there in age, especially phil and some of the euros, but they are still great players, like stenson. They are stars. They still very much so feel like they belong.
Same with some of the younger boys that have had success in the amateur ranks. They haven’t done much yet as pros, but they feel like they belong because we know winning an ncaa title or a US Am in no joke.
Also to be honest there are some Asian guys I probably don’t give enough credit to because of Michael Scott syndrome, otherwise that number could be a bit higher.
I think we debunked that LIv is going with an all team concept. But I will say I would like to see a certain number of players from each region of the world be assured a certain number of spots on LIv; especially to put them on the same team; because it is cool when teams are come from the same country or region or tour.
Sure saving spots for developing golf nations won’t make for the strongest fields possible, but it will make the tour more international while not taking too many players from any one country or tour (mainly USA and the pga tour).
I feel all tours should have some of opening up spots like this to help motivate players from developing countries, which in turn grows the game.
I’d love to see Asian born players get 4, maybe even up to 8 spots on LIv. South Americans get 4. Africa not get at least one or two from outside South Africa. Australia should have 4, maybe 8 including the South Pacific region.
LIv can absolutely make a case that they are growing the game with every spot they guarantee for developing golf nations/regions.
Tom Edrington
Brooks has played quite awful, bet he’s not practicing much anymore, as are most of them; No practice needed, they’ve already been paid. Got one for you Wednesday in “other news”
baxter cepeda
Right now some of these top names have fat checks and job security for a while.
BUT Eventually everyone on LIv will be under pressure to keep their spot; just like any other tour.
LIv guys are guaranteed about 100$k per event, so 14 checks of about 100$k, or about 1.5$ mill, over a season. That’s great— but making 1.5 will mean they are off the tour of incredible financial prosperity.
So there’s going to be a ton of pressure soon. It’s just a different model. I got one feel golfers on top tours—even qualifying tours- should not be losing money ANY week they play. Typical tour golf, including junior and amateur ranks, put too much financial strain on players. It’s truly does limit what some players can do.