Looking at the money, how do you not do it? Plus, it is 54 holes, not 72, hence the roman numerals LIV. I don't mean the up-front money to sign, or the prize money from each event, but you are in a 'foursome' group, and each group ALSO makes a ton of money. PLUS you can still compete in all the majors. How do you not do it? (and please don't say 'loyalty' - that doesn't exist in any sport anymore)
You sure about that? I doubt if the PGA Championship will allow LIV golfers in, and I'm not sure about the Masters.
well, the PGA is run by the PGA as is the TPC (often considered "fifth" major). I don't see the Master's people offering a welcome hand...even prior champs like Phil may have some trouble. In a few years, these two tours will merge and everybody will make a ton of money (except the little people, of course). There is way too much prestige, history and especially MONEY in Ryder Cup ( less so President's Cup) to have these separate tours co-exist for long. The PGA already announced it is carving out a super start tour with some LIV features - something Greg Norman wanted to do when he was a top player.
Correct. There are two different 'PGA's', one that runs the US Open and the PGA Championship, and the other one that runs all the others (in the USA). The British Open and the Masters are not run by the PGA. I am not so sure anyone really cares about Phil, he is more likely to shoot a 77 and miss a cut than he is to make a cut, the LIV Tour was dumb with what they paid this guy. And yes, the PGA has already made changes to now guarantee money ('show up' money?) to the top-50 at each event. To me that's kinda silly, if they decide this by money earned: all you have to do is win a big tournament early and you are all-but guaranteed to be in the top-50 (in earnings) for quite awhile. So you can both suck and get lucky early and you have it made. #1 has made almost 13 million (Scottie Scheffler) But #10 has made 5 million, #15 has made 4.2 million, and I bet you have never heard of them... And right now, #94 on the PGA Tour has made one million bucks, and you have never heard of him, either. Oh, you MIGHT have seen their name fly by on a leader board at -1 or +2, I'll give you that. Going further, #150 has made just under $500,000, #200 has made $169,000 That may seem like a lot, but these guys have to pay their own way to every event, pay to fly, pay for rooms, meals, pay their coaches and trainers, pay taxes - which will take out 40%, and maybe also try to raise a family. I guess this is the weeding-out process? https://www.pgatour.com/stats/stat.109.html
Looks like Charles Barkley and David Feherty may also join the LIV tour, but they don't even have a TV contract... will they get one? Not necessarily a contract in the USA, but anywhere? I know Charles loves golf and hates the grind of the NBA, I can see him taking it, and I can MAYBE see Feherty doing it, but if he does and the LIV shuts down (eventually), he may be unemployed. I guess that's OK, if you have enough $$$.
Cam Smith is reported to have a $ 90 million dollar offer. Barkley was quoted as saying "For that kind of money, I'd kill a relative."
