So, LIV Golf has been busy this week.
Let’s start with the four new golfers that have signed up, officially…
Jason Kokrak
Charles Howell III
Adam Scott
&
Henrik Stenson.
There are a couple of major champions on that list.
Stenson WAS the 2023 European Ryder Cup Captain. I say WAS because once he made his affiliation with LIV know, the DP World Tour stripped him of his position. Henrik had some financial trouble in the past, as he was a client of a financier that eventually went to jail, but in the process, cost Stenson millions of dollars.
ST ALBANS, ENGLAND – JUNE 11: LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman pictured with Charl Schwartzel of South Africa on the 1st tee during day three of the LIV Golf Invitational at The Centurion Club on June 11, 2022 in St Albans, England. (Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
There was also the news this week, that David Feherty was leaving NBC and signing with LIV. John Feinstein, who is collaborating with Feherty on his biography told me on this week’s Augusta Golf Show that David had been unhappy with NBC since losing his Golf Channel show during COVID. He, and viewers seemed to fell that he was not being used to his full potential.
While we’re on broadcasting, Charles Barkley sat down with Greg Norman last Wednesday night for a discussion. No details were revealed but Charles was quoting as saying that “We have all taken blood money and we have all sportswashed something”.
For us, locally, the question begins to become, what will the Chairman of Augusta National, Fred Ridley do when it comes to the MASTERS in April. To date, the players committed to LIV have played in the US Open and the Open Championship, if qualified.
There are five MASTERS winners committed to LIV. Phil Mickelson, Patrick Reed, Adam Scott, Sergio Garcia & Charl Schwartzel. Rumors are Bubba Watson and Hideki Matsuyama are contemplating a move. What will the Chairman do. Will he allow them to play. Will they be welcomed at the Champions Dinner on Tuesday night? There’s time before there MUST be a decision, but the clock is ticking.
NORTH PLAINS, OREGON – JULY 02: LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman tosses beers to the gallery from the deck of a pavilion on the 18th green during the final round of the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club on July 02, 2022 in North Plains, Oregon. (Photo by Steve Dykes/Getty Images)
Finally, there are rumors that last week’s winner of the Open Championship, Cameron Smith is on board. There’s talk that he signed up two weeks ago. There’s talk that he’s waiting until the end of the FED EX CUP playoffs before announcing his decision. What will “The Champion Golfer of the Year” do?
John
To read another post from me, click here for a great documentary on Don McLean
