LIV GOLF and the PGA to merge.

I watch the Majors but I, and most of my golf playing friends I know, pretty much only watch and the rest of the events I don't watch at all. If I'm not going to watch all 4 days like I would a major then watching a bit here and there on a Thursday or Friday seems pointless. I can't commit to watching 4 days of golf every weekend so I end up watching none and just catching the odd hole in one highlight that gets posted on social media.

Same, but the guys I mainly watch are pro's or instructors, but they all say they would get hammered by a tour pro (and often do when playing against them), which as you know is a different level altogether. Mainly watch Shiels, Crossfield, Finch etc, basically taught myself by watching them to be honest.

I like Tubes VLOG's as well, especially the ones with Bullard etc, who can seriously play.
Same. I meant non-Tour pros when I said non-pros.
 
I'm not a real golf fan, I've never played other than at Eston Rec and Prissick Base but I do watch the majors and personally feel they should stay the same. I don't think I have missed a Masters or Ryder Cup match for some time and make sure I am able to sit and watch the whole of these events. Like most sports, I have some interest in it but am not a massive fan.

P.S. I tell a lie, I did play around once at Pontefract whilst working at Selby.
They won't change the majors from being 4 rounders, it would kill all the old stats comparisons etc, and they won't want to lose that.

The Liv impact on the majors will be practically nil I think, but they might try to make them more "fun" to watch, if that's possible. It will be the other events which maybe end up being altered, especially the ones leading up to the majors where the players maybe want more preparation time.

The PGA is still going to be the majority party, by a mile, which means they will end up with more of what they want than Liv, I expect.
 
It's the classic dilemma.

People who watch golf on tv tend to like the PGA Tour format, usually 72 holes over 4 days. They typically didn't watch LIV.

So does golf try to change its appeal with new formats and styles, and risk losing its traditional audience, or stick with the tried and tested and see the audience gradually die off?

I think the PGA Tour, and the DP Tour are in difficult positions now. The players will expect much greater prize money but if the Saudis get fed up with golf or offended by the players' comments and pull out, the tours will have a huge funding hole.

It's a volatile situation.
 
I watch the Majors but I, and most of my golf playing friends I know, pretty much only watch and the rest of the events I don't watch at all. If I'm not going to watch all 4 days like I would a major then watching a bit here and there on a Thursday or Friday seems pointless. I can't commit to watching 4 days of golf every weekend so I end up watching none and just catching the odd hole in one highlight that gets posted on social media.
Yeah exactly, I'll watch a fair bit of the majors and the highlights and a lot more of the Ryder cup, but I watch practically zero of the rest unless it's a really interesting/ tough/picturesque course, but even then I still only watch a tiny bit.

The one major I probably watch least is the Open, which is sacrilege to golf fans I know, but I just find watching links golf boring especially St Andrews, as it just seems the same talk every time it's there, like banging an old drum. I know I'm a massive minority in thinking this way mind.
 
Funnily enough, I really like watching golf - mens and womens. I find it strangely therapeutic. I can watch it in a totally relaxed state and the time just goes by, without having to think about anything. Whereas when I watch footy, it's generally in an excited/semi-anxious state (especially when Boro are playing) and need time to relax afterwards! Cycling is another sport that I can watch without thinking about it. However for both these, you do need a helluva lot of time. When the Mrs is around, goes out the window and lucky if I can get a bit of footy in!!
 
Same, but the guys I mainly watch are pro's or instructors, but they all say they would get hammered by a tour pro (and often do when playing against them), which as you know is a different level altogether. Mainly watch Shiels, Crossfield, Finch etc, basically taught myself by watching them to be honest.

I like Tubes VLOG's as well, especially the ones with Bullard etc, who can seriously play.

Have you ever come across Daniel Grieve on social media/YouTube??

I have drastically improved my short game in about 4 weeks just from his short tutorials on Instagram.
 
So McElroy hates LIV still hates them but accepts and welcomes the PIF


🤔

I think you've taken this at face value, without knowing too much about your knowledge of golf. I interpreted his comments as that he hates LIV for the disruption it has caused. He has made no bones about his lost friendships after all of the litigation claims etc so I can completely understand those comments. Ultimately, any leading Tour pro wants to have the likes of Koepka, Johnson, DeChambeau and Cam Smith back competing against the best of the PGA/DP which is why it will be such a positive thing for golf.

For me, I'd just like to see Rory do Rory - striping bombs, being in contention and being an inspiration for a generation. I likened his involvement with his debacle to Marcus Rashford's involvement with Boris over school meals. Not to discredit his efforts but there was an obvious correlation between his performances on and off the pitch. Same with McIlroy, I can applaud his loyalty and integrity regarding the PGA Tour, specifically the work with the player committee which has been a long time coming. Now, I'd just like to see him on the range more where he'll find the likes of Rahm, Scheffler and Hovland.

I am however at a bit of a loss at how the schedule will look with the new integration, especially linking in with the FedEx Cup and play offs. I have just about come round to the fact that the USPGA isn't the last Major of the season anymore!
 
Have you ever come across Daniel Grieve on social media/YouTube??

I have drastically improved my short game in about 4 weeks just from his short tutorials on Instagram.
I've been watching him recently since he did the video with Rick Shiels. I haven't been out to play for a while so not been able to practice anything but my short game is by far the weakest part of my game so I'm keen to give it a go. Tempted to buy his book. He makes short game look effortless but it looks right and gives you the chance to succeed where all the other YouTube golf people are constantly recommending techniques to minimise mistakes.

It always seemed to me that Rory was morally opposed to LIV rather than just being protectionist and opposed to the disruption. If you have a moral objection, like a lot of people do to sportswashing, then it's hard to change your mind just because you have been forced into a situation that you have to accept. I'm sure he will be happy about the players being able to play the same tournaments together etc and he'll probably make a lot of money out of it but if he was morally objecting to it then he must still be morally against it.

I think it will work the way the PGA and DP World Tour co-exists. There will be elevated events in the PGA schedule, elevated events in the LIV schedule and elevated events in the DP World and the big players will mostly just play those and miss all the smaller events. Those elevated events won't clash so fans won't have to choose which to watch. The Majors will be as they are now.

Pretty sure the LIV players massive fees included a contract for a 5 year period where they have to play every event so they might be restricted to that for the next couple of years.
 
It always seemed to me that Rory was morally opposed to LIV rather than just being protectionist and opposed to the disruption. If you have a moral objection, like a lot of people do to sportswashing, then it's hard to change your mind just because you have been forced into a situation that you have to accept. I'm sure he will be happy about the players being able to play the same tournaments together etc and he'll probably make a lot of money out of it but if he was morally objecting to it then he must still be morally against it.

Exactly, it’s not about knowing golf at all it’s the idea that the PIF and LIV aren’t one and the same I find so questionable.
 
I’m amazed that this is not Newcastle shirt sponsor to be honest.
Their previous shirt deal has only just run out I believe. I think they are currently working out how they get around the affiliated company sponsorship rules. It will almost certainly be a Saudi owned/affiliated company on the front of their shirts next season.
 
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