LIV Golf

[goughy]

Or the Australian Masters.

[Ron Burgundy]

The majors are whatever journalists decide they are. They’ve changed before and can change again. The Saudi’s shouldn’t be able to buy a major, but Evian did so it’s possible.

If OWGR doesn’t accurately reflect who the best players in the world are, which it doesn’t without the LIV big names, the majors could just bypass it or kill it off altogether. Would make more sense to invite the top x players on the money list from each major tour, ie top 50 from PGA tour, top 20 from Euro, top 10 from LIV etc.

[WBennett]

I enjoy a good long read - The New Yorker has one on Liv.

Will the Saudis and Donald Trump Save Golf—or Wreck It? | The New Yorker

[pt73]

I’m sure Trump would offer his courses as he has plenty in the USA, 2 in Scotland (including Turnberry which was taken off the Open Championship rota) and 1 in Ireland.

The Saudis would just have to include Trump into each event’s name and maybe the Ex President’s Cup.

[benno_r]

I enjoy a good long read - The New Yorker has one on Liv.

Will the Saudis and Donald Trump Save Golf—or Wreck It? | The New Yorker

Bit of a ramble, but did they didn't answer the question?

[Bruce]

If OWGR doesn’t accurately reflect who the best players in the world are, which it doesn’t without the LIV big names, the majors could just bypass it or kill it off altogether.

I think it has problems in the other direction too. Field strength is one of the factors for OWGR points and LIV doesn't have that. There's still a lot of dead wood in their field of 48. Jed Morgan has finished in the top 50 for every LIV event so far. He wouldn't be doing that at any other tour on the planet.

[Daves]

I think it has problems in the other direction too. Field strength is one of the factors for OWGR points and LIV doesn't have that. There's still a lot of dead wood in their field of 48. Jed Morgan has finished in the top 50 for every LIV event so far. He wouldn't be doing that at any other tour on the planet.

Early stages yet. Compared to the last 2 weeks of the PGA Tour, Liv had far superior, if smaller fields. And the winner of the DP World Tour event is a LIV contracted player also I believe.

[WBennett]

Early stages yet. Compared to the last 2 weeks of the PGA Tour, Liv had far superior, if smaller fields. And the winner of the DP World Tour event is a LIV contracted player also I believe.

If you think the Shriners was FAR weaker than a Liv event, I would say you are wrong.And the DP Winner was discarded by Liv, with no contract

[Johnny Canuck]

If you think the Shriners was FAR weaker than a Liv event, I would say you are wrong.And the DP Winner was discarded by Liv, with no contract

Wasn’t good enough for LIV but won the DP event. Says a lot.

Shriners field was another weak PGA filler event. The leaderboard was very average.

Nice to see Jason Day finished 72 holes. He’d be a prime LIV candidate if they ever shortened events to 36 holes.

[goughy]

But wasn't one of the issues for some players the current length of the season? Hence you have fields of players scrambling to find/keep their place.

[Johnny Canuck]

But wasn't one of the issues for some players the current length of the season? Hence you have fields of players scrambling to find/keep their place.

Major issue for a lot of players.

[Daves]

If you think the Shriners was FAR weaker than a Liv event, I would say you are wrong.And the DP Winner was discarded by Liv, with no contract

One (single) major winner vs 11 major winners, sure it wasn't weaker!?

[3Puttpete]

One (single) major winner vs 11 major winners, sure it wasn't weaker!?

And Bradman averaged 99.94.

He’s no longer the best batsman man in the world.

[Daves]

And Bradman averaged 99.94.

He’s no longer the best batsman man in the world.

True, but LIV did have the No. 1 Golfer in the world prior to LIV being excluded from the Rankings. And he was still the highest rank player in either event, even with the distorted current rankings. Which is sort of the point(s), isn't it? I know which field I would go to watch first.

Have a look at the OWGR website, particularly, the participating Tours list down the bottom. How many of these have your actually heard of?, and name the top 3 players in each without looking it up! Sure you may have to adjust the points allocations for the LIV tour to reflect parity, but tell me again why they should be excluded?

https://www.owgr.com/

[3Puttpete]

True, but LIV did have the No. 1 Golfer in the world prior to LIV being excluded from the Rankings. And he was still the highest rank player in either event, even with the distorted current rankings. Which is sort of the point(s), isn't it? I know which field I would go to watch first.

Have a look at the OWGR website, particularly, the participating Tours list down the bottom. How many of these have your actually heard of?, and name the top 3 players in each without looking it up! Sure you may have to adjust the points allocations for the LIV tour to reflect parity, but tell me again why they should be excluded?

https://www.owgr.com/

Smith never got to number 1

And LIV shouldn’t get points because it’s a closed shop.

[BobsYourUncle]

And LIV shouldn’t get points because it’s a closed shop.

There are a number of events on the PGA tour that are invite-only, aren't there? Like the Masters, maybe the memorial? I don't know for sure they get points, but I'm pretty sure they do.

The best argument against OWGR points for LIV is the 54 vs 72 hole thing. OWGR is a 72-hole ranking.

[3Puttpete]

There are a number of events on the PGA tour that are invite-only, aren't there? Like the Masters, maybe the memorial? I don't know for sure they get points, but I'm pretty sure they do.

The best argument against OWGR points for LIV is the 54 vs 72 hole thing. OWGR is a 72-hole ranking.

The masters isn’t a PGATour event but one could argue it’s open to anyone. Make it to top 50 in the world and you get invited.

The other limited field events are exceptions to the usual tournament format for the tour so it’s allowed.

I don’t think OWGR is a strictly 72 hole ranking. They allow developmental tours to be 54 holes and award points.

[markTHEblake]

The Masters hasnt been invite only for years. They changed to a set in place qualification model a while back. Howver they still send out invite letters for the tradition of it.

Hence if they dont invite any of the LIV past winners back thats really going to create a stink.

[jimandr]

LIV Golf: Saudi golf chief threatens to create own majors if rebels hit by ban (smh.com.au)

Cool story

I am thinking this statement was merely a tantrum from a guy who can't believe that people are turning down his offer that can't be refused.

But, thinking caps on, folks. In the hypothetical situation that you would create your own majors, how would you do it? My assumption is that the 'new majors' are open to all, either through a qualify or invite process, so Rory and Rahm and Tiger can play if they want. An LIV only 'major' is impossible.

So, do you, firstly, schedule them against the current majors, two weeks after, or as far away as possible, which I think would mean one in Sep, one in Dec, one in Feb and one in March, which is what I would do.

In my dream world, I'm travelling. One in Scotland, obviously, but South Africa and Australia would be good places in their winter, and perhaps the other in the USA. You'd want great courses if you could get them, and I would have two of them on the same course every year.

If anything happened at all, I wonder who would turn up. I'm sure at least some of the top 20 would do it.

[AndyP]

..so Rory and Rahm and Tiger can play if they want. An LIV only 'major' is impossible.

The PGA Tour wouldn't let them play the "new major".

[3Puttpete]

The PGA Tour wouldn't let them play the "new major".

They might not be able to suspend them for playing it

[WBennett]

The PGA Tour wouldn't let them play the "new major".

Tour aligned players would have to apply for a release, which would not be forthcoming

[3Puttpete]

Tour aligned players would have to apply for a release, which would not be forthcoming

This is what I was getting at. Would they need a release from the major or only if there was an opposite field event?

Edited to fix a typo/autocorrect.

[markTHEblake]

This is what I was getting at. Would they need a release from the major or unit of there was an opposite field event?

Good point. you're a smart man. I guess No.

[jimandr]

You guys are no fun, taking practical factors into consideration when deciding not to bother speculating about the alternative majors.

Those factors are relevant though. LIV and the PGA will never get together while the two organisations exist in their current form. One will need to fail for golf to come back together.

I remain convinced that Phil and the boys have backed the loser. The Saudi's will conclude they are wasting their money, and may as well redirect it into horse racing, or motor racing, or ballet and opera.

The 'team final' at Doral will be interesting though. It is a genuine alternative to the current product, so if it is well received there may be hope for LIV yet. I might actually watch that one to see what it is like.