On this wonderful July 4th — everyone’s hoping Tiger Woods will create his own brand of fireworks across the pond on the grounds of stately Adare Manor — host of the 2027 Ryder Cup.
It was a no-brainer to expect his Tigerness to show up in County Limerick on the grounds of the property owned by one of his billionaire pals — J.P. McManus — his ownself.
Tiger has joined J.P. in the billionaire ranks and this little 36-hole gathering on a quality golf course, should give El Tigre exactly the amount of work he needs to get his game in operating order for his short trip to the Kingdom of Fife next week and a date with the Old Course at the 150th Open Championship.
But first things first. McManus, the host of this 36-hole garden party, made his money as a bookie and currency trader. Today he owns more than 500 thoroughbred horses — a lot of that money he made came from winnings on horse races — insider knowledge is a great thing. In addition to his Irish jewel at Adare Manor, McManus built a $200 million mansion in County Limerick, not far from Adair Manor. And if that that 38,000-square foot palace isn’t enough, he has a $150 million vacation home in Barbados. Who gets to live like that?
So when you’re rubbing elbows with Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, it isn’t that hard to attract the world’s best to your pro-am gathering and nine of the world’s top 10 players will be there along with various renegades from the LIV exhibition series — who are no doubt looking forward to this after getting booted from next week’s Scottish Open.
McManus has had his hand in a variety of money-making pies. He was a 30 percent shareholder in Manchester United and pocketed a nice chunk of change when Malcolm Glazer pissed off all of England when he bought controlling interest in the premier league’s flagship team.
Perhaps McManus can give some gambling tips to Phil Mickelson. Back in 2012, McManus had $17.4 million in gambling winnings in the U.S. and the IRS promptly claimed $5.2 million of it. McManus fought it but the IRS managed to prove he was not legal resident of Ireland at the time.
And speaking of Irish residents, Tiger, his ownself, will be playing with three members of an Irish billionaire clan — the Smurfits. Sir Michael, one of Tiger’s amateur partners, is the owner and founder of the K-Club, a former site of the Ryder Cup. Anyone think this was a random draw?
Plenty of quality professionals to go around — all the world’s top five are there — Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy (another good friend of McManus), Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas.
U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick gets to test his precision game on this future Ryder Cup venue.
Ah yes, then there are some of those LIV renegades. No, Jediah Morgan is not one of them. You may or may not recall that Jediah pocketed six figures last week in Portland for shooting a tidy 21-over par for 54 holes. Now we know what Greg Norman was talking about when he told us about this quality competition he’s running. The LIV reps include newly-signed defector Paul Casey, who is obviously worried about injuries and their affect on his career. He hasn’t even been able to tee it up for a couple of months — he needs the LIV money. Yeah, Bryson’s in town, so is Brooksie, so is D.J., who blew a 36-hole lead in Portland and lost to Branden Grace, a guy with a huge resume of PGA Tour wins — RBC Heritage and Puerto Rico Open — very impressive, Branden. The PGA Tour is certainly going to miss you.
No, D.J. didn’t need that win in Portland, he’s already been paid. So here he is — doesn’t need to pay attention at Adare Manor — old D.J.’s seen his last Ryder Cup team.
Good news for everyone in this McManus field is that they can get a good feeling for next week’s weather.
The forecast for Limerick? Temps on Monday — high 61, low 54, cloudy, breezy, chance of showers; Tuesday: Temps, high 64, low 67, morning rain, winds at 14 or so.
Lots of eyeballs on this one.
That’s because You Know Who is there and we’re not talking about any of Greg’s Renegades.
6 Comments
baxter cepeda
I hardly think this is exactly the work Tiger needs to play well at the Open.
That’s like saying the PNc is exactly what Tiger needs to get ready to win the masters.
As far as LIv, those guys put on a show!
Grace, who aside from his 2 pga tour wins (not many wins but impressive for a man whom started his journey in Africa) almost won the Chambers bay USOpen until he hit his ball into the rail tracks.
With the score tied down the stretch in Portland—on an absolutely beautiful golf course that I would put in the top 6-10 on the pga tour— grace made an ultra clutch birdie followed by a sublime chip in to claim this thing.
Then on the 18 green Ortiz was super clutch getting his solo second but more importantly draining a bomb for his team to get third alone; all his teammates present to celebrate.
Then grace got champagned by his teammates, who were all there.
Then the 4 Americans —the Aces— were friking hilarious in their winning interview. All there. Pat joking he had to pay for dinner since he fell apart the last round.
Meanwhile on the Old pga tour Poston got a little smooch from his fiancée.
Yaaaaaaaaaawn. Excuse me.
I watched all the LIv action on a giant screen tv in pinehurst at my own pace (btw my girl absolutely stunk it up on no 2 playing it blind today).
Meanwhile I couldn’t even find the golf channel; even thou the owners of this house are golf nuts. All these new smart TVs are not all smart enough to give us the golf channel. But they always give You tube.
Did we mention the LIv had the strongest strength of field?
Did we mention LIv was SOLd OUT?
Was the John deer sold out?
Do Monahan and pelley still have jobs?
I’m shocked at Livs ability to respond to players and fans requests. Literally people are airing gripes on the utube chat and within 24 hours those issues are often resolved. There was some confusion early this week if the coverage was live or a repeat. They are making that more clear.
I mentioned their abbreviations were not legible, the next day they were.
There are definitely more things to correct. But regardless of what picture the establishment is painting, LIv is crazy entertaining. The competition was fascinating. High quality you want golf. The crowd was super into it. The players were feeling it but at the same time we’re relaxed enough thanks to their financial security to perform. I’m tired of pga tour players not performing because they are protecting their position.
The big 3–DJ, Brooks and Bryson— seem to be working back into form. DJ especially looked quite sharp. Brooks and Bryson’s health look improved.
Lefty is not quite there yet. But there he was after the round shmoozing with fans signing whatever people put in his face…like nothing ever happened.
Portland was absolutely friking Amazing following another great site in London. Everyone claims everyone has the best fans but I must say Portland truly have the best fans. Seattle is right up there. But man Portland impressed me with every sport. Basketball. Soccer. Golf. It doesn’t matter.
As for no names on LIv, I’m thrilled for these boys getting this money because some of the names that should have those spots are too scared of Monahan and the establishment. But the more time passes, the more clear it’s the best packs loss and these no names gain. But that’s only for now. More names are coming. So many Liv are moving to 14 events a year early.
LIv is officially here to stay. After Portland which was supposed to be a community that didn’t want any part of LIv but in reality they clearly wanted to be a part of it— simply cannot be denied by the OWGR much longer.
I must say Even myself having predicted Livs steady success to a T so far, even I was surprised by sold out.
I was not worried about the pga tour because I figured they would see the writing on the wall and get with the program. But they clearly aren’t.
If Monahan and Pelley think Tiger will save them, make it all better, well, good luck with that considering we are at a point where 36 hole pro ams are considered great prep for majors for Tiger. Point is he won’t be playing much of anything between slap and giggles and the majors.
Tom Edrington
Baxter: I will put you in there with the LIV-lovers; Nothing obviously is going to change your mind…..when more than half the field are a bunch of stiffs who couldn’t even get into the John Deere, well, it’s really about a 12-man event which is really an exhibition. They are all rapidly falling in the rankings so the heat is on the old guys to perform well in the majors, only way they can stay relevant.
baxter cepeda
I am a LIv lover. But I also love the pga tour. And am quite fond of the Euros tour.
The pga tour needs the revisit it’s minimum events requirement.
The golf world needs to find a way for Best players to be able to do LIv, Pga tour, DP world and whatever else.
It’s really that’s simple.
The established tours need to consider understand and accept top players are going to get huge signing bonuses and LIv will always make sure they are clearly more prosperous in purses.
I wouldn’t be surprised if LIv announces event champs take 5 million and a cool 4$ million for the best team. And then kick another 5$ mill for the season champ.
So the established tours need to understand those guys are under contract 14 times. LIv should drop their number of events imo to 12 or less. Regardless The pga tour need to come up with something so the top players can keep supporting the pga tour.
There are so many things the pga tour can do around LIv, including true playoff matches. I mean crazy amounts of things. It I still love them. Just not getting as much of a kick out of the pga tour as i am LIv these days. I must admit.
But this is the reason why I’m desperately hoping some sense kicks in soon.
Tom Edrington
Can’t love two women at the same time and you cannot be a PGA Tour lover and an LIV lover……you are aligning with Saudis who are basically stealing from an employees pension plan to pay these guys, you are supporting money from a regime that beheads its citizens who criticize the regime and a regime that kills and dismembers journalists who write the wrong stuff…..sorry Baxter but I’ve been speaking to a LOT of golf followers I know and cannot find one who feels as you do, oh by the way, will write on a recent poll regarding popularity of LIV and that of it’s founder — Phil Mickelson.
baxter cepeda
Enough with all that. Even Rory is realizing enough with all that.
I can love both. It’s so immature to pick sides. And then Hate the other side. That’s everything that’s wrong with us.
Tom Edrington
I think you’d feel differently if the Saudis were plundering your retirement money….notice the Royal Family is not using any of their wealth to fund this money-losing proposition……they’re stealing from the common workers — which is typical of that regime and yet another reason to dislike them and all they stand for and that includes their sports washing attempts with this LIV venture, already a billion out and nothing in…..real justice for working Saudis.