GOLF - Sport News

GOLF

Jay Monahan’s PGA Tour in Trouble Again as Mysterious WDs Threatens to Ruin $9 Million Event

By Admin January 20, 2025

Fans were expecting top players to participate with high hopes for the next PGA Tour event, i.e., the Farmers Insurance Open.

However, there has been a shock wave that spread after the news of Xander Schauffele withdrawing from the event. The news came in on January 18th, 2025, a few days before the event where his team cited a medical issue as the reason for withdrawing. It was a huge shock as the World No. 2 has been featured at the event for the last 9 years.

But what’s more shocking for the PGA Tour’s fourth calendar event is the addition to the withdrawal list. The 156 players list, a day after the news of Schauffele, saw more players withdrawing from the tournament.

JUST IN: Paige Spiranac Enjoys the Confusing “TikTok Drama” as U.S. Ban Could Have Nearly Cost Her a $100,000

As per the post shared by PGA Tour Communication on X, it reshaped the list of players, while writing the names of players missing out and joining in as replacements. The list included the 2024 edition runner-up who missed the title with a stroke difference to Matthieu Pavon, i.e., Nicolai Hojgaard was among the top picks for fans based on his previous year’s performance.

Apart from him, Collin Morikawa, who failed to qualify last year at the Farmers Insurance Open, started strongly to change it. He was runner-up at his first appearance of the season, which was the Sentry 2025. However, unfortunately, this year too he will not be in the top rankers. The three-name list of players withdrawing also had Tyler McCumber, who was struggling with injuries and was away from the course for the last 2 years. He participated in two events in 2024, out of which he missed a cut in one and withdrew from one.

Now to make up the full-field event, Hayden Springer is coming in as a replacement for Nicolai Hojgaard. Hayden recorded a T33 finish last year while having 4 top 10s in the entire season. Along with him, Wesley Bryan, and S.H. Kim will be joining in as replacements at the Torrey Pines Golf Course. Even though some of the top names have withdrawn, there is still a great list of players whom fans should not miss teeing off live.

Besides the long list of players, there are some promising names that fans would be delighted to see. At the top, is the Sentry winner with the lowest recorded total, Hideki Matsuyama. The record-breaking start of the year for the golfer is expected to continue and fans are eager to see him break more records.

Along with the recent champion, Ludvig Aberg will also be contesting at the event. He has been among the favorites with his consistent performance. Last year he had 3 runner-up finishes and 6 top 10s, additionally. Even the first event of this season saw him deliver a great performance with which he recorded a T5 finish. Further on the list of players, two 6-time PGA Tour title winners Max Homa and Tony Finau are also part of the roster.

Even though some top names have withdrawn, there are still many prominent names that might get a record added under their name this season.

Keep Reading

CELEB NEWS

Paige Spiranac Enjoys the Confusing “TikTok Drama” as U.S. Ban Could Have Nearly Cost Her a $100,000

By Admin January 20, 2025

TikTok is back again! And Paige Spiranac is enjoying the moment!

Just hours ago, the popular social media app had blacked out. As the headlines of its eventual ban were spreading like wildfire, users of the app were surprised that it was down without any prior update. Even though they were anticipating it to stop working eventually, everyone expected a scheduled shutdown of the app.

Now that it is back after a brief issue, Paige Spiranac is now poking fun at the unrest it caused among the citizens of the U.S. She tweeted, “The TikTok drama the past 24 hours reminds me of the scene in Almost Famous where they thought their plane was going to crash so they told each other their deep dark secrets then seconds later the turbulence was over lol.” It clearly seems that Spiranac is enjoying the moment and all the drama that it caused in the U.S.A.

READ: ‘Word Got Out’: Charlie Woods Impact Laid Bare as His Frantic Search for a Breakthrough Continues

This is surprising coming from Spiranac who recently nearly suffered losses due to the temporary shutdown of TikTok in the States. The golf queen receives a considerable paycheck from sponsorships and ads she runs on her TikTok account. The earnings go up to nearly $100,000. While the ban would eventually cause her to lose those earnings, it’s great to see that she is not that bummed about it. In fact, she even found the entire blackout fiasco to be hilarious.

Before the application got back online, the users in the U.S. were in for a rude awakening as it became inaccessible owing to the law passed by a bipartisan majority in Congress last year. Lawmakers and U.S. officials gave the deadline of January 19 to TikTok’s parent company, ByteDance, to sell its stake in the app or be cut from the U.S. market. And we all see how that played out.

Before the Sunday ban, the video-sharing platform voluntarily shut down its services, and the users who got on the application had a message waiting for them that read: “Sorry, TikTok isn’t available right now.”

“A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S.,” the message reads. “Unfortunately, that means you can’t use TikTok for now. We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office. Please stay tuned!”

Moving on, the influencer is not the first one to share her opinion about the blackout. A few hours ago, Charley Hull had also shared her views about the TikTok ban. Let’s see what she had to say.

The news of TikTok getting banned seems to be a hot topic across the globe. Charley Hull had also posted a story about what she thinks of the situation. Sharing a picture of herself posing in a vehicle, the fashionista said, “Tick tock is being banned to be honest I think we should all be going bk to old school ban all social media.” She seems to be clearly done with anything that has to do with social media.

The LPGA Tour star also had another suggestion to add. Hull stated, “go bk to a Nokia phone and live life in the moment. Grantee the whole world would be a happier healthier place 💯.” It seems that the 2x LPGA Tour champion is missing the early 2000s, which is surprising considering that she would have been under 10 years old during that time. It seems that the ban on TikTok is not affecting our favorite golfers/social media queens one bit.

Keep Reading

GOLF

‘Word Got Out’: Charlie Woods Impact Laid Bare as His Frantic Search for a Breakthrough Continues

By Admin January 19, 2025

Who wouldn’t know the family of Tiger Woods?

Fans know every detail about the 15-time major champion. Be it his family, kid’s history, or his early life, fans read every available information. However, now Charlie Woods, son of Tiger Woods, is in the same sports, fans are eager to see him play and expect the same results from him too.

Whether junior Woods has stood up to the expectations is still debatable as the amateur golfer is in the phase of turning professional. But what is sure is his impact on the events. Even with just his appearance, there is an enormous wave of fans that join in the junior-level golf tournament.

JUST IN: A Journey Inside Tiger Woods’ competitive genius

Talking on a similar line, the host of the AJGA tournament Will Lowery during the Par 3 Podcast shared about his debut. The host Stephen Malbon asked Lowery, “Talk about the North Carolina tournament. What is the tournament?” Sharing for which the former professional golfer shared his gratitude for getting the opportunity to host the tournament. He said, “I was fortunate enough to have a great relationship with AJGA. You know, Jason Etzen, and Stephen Hamblin, they allowed me to, you know, host the AJGA Tournament. I have North Carolina.”

Sharing further about the impact of Charlie Woods, he shared, “A buzz came last year, my second year when Tiger Woods’s son Charlie played in it for the first time. So that was his first-ever AJGA event. Word got out and that kind of, you know, skyrocketed, took off from there.” The impact of the 15-year-olds’ participation led to the success of the Will Lowery Junior Championship and that same impact can be seen in multiple events as well.

The event which took place in March 2024, saw security personnel and armed police protect Junior Woods from an overwhelming crowd. Even earlier, during the Cognizant Classic, the large number of fans swarming Woods affected his play. However, even though the fans in large numbers expect him to follow in the footsteps of his father. Some critics have addressed him as failing to fill in Tiger Woods’s shoes.

Being the son of the most successful golfer brings in expectations. Even at 15, people expect the amateur golfer to perform like his father, a feat he has struggled with. Starting from the 2024 season, junior Woods missed the cut at the Cognizant Classic and the U.S. Open qualifier for which he was positioned at the 124th position.

His struggle continued as he finished T103 at the Future Masters at Dothan Country Club with two rounds recording 73-76, respectively. The performance of Charlie Woods, when compared with Tiger Woods’s glorious career, will always feel less intimidating as he is in the phase of evolving as a junior golfer.

However, during his last appearance with his father at the PNC Championship, the 15-year-old had shut down the criticisms with his performance. He even recorded his first-ever hole-in-one, which was a great relief for the fans who were expecting the best from Charlie Woods.

Keep Reading

GOLF

A Journey Inside Tiger Woods’ competitive genius

By Admin January 19, 2025

The encouraging practice session presents a familiar golfer pitfall.

You know how it goes: hit it solidly on the range, march to the first tee brimming with confidence, then wonder why it all unravels on the course. I’ve written about this dynamic before, mostly because I’ve lived it.

The inverse scenario can be found in a story recently shared by the former PGA Tour player-turned-Golf Channel announcer Tripp Isenhour watching Tiger Woods on the range after a round at Torrey Pines in the mid-2000s. As Isenhour recounted, Woods struggled so much with his driver that day he put it away and started hitting an assortment of shots with a 6-iron: first way up in the air, then curving 40 yards in either direction, then some low bullets barely off the ground. When Isenhour asked why, Woods responded, “If this is where I am going to be tomorrow then I might need these shots.”

It was vintage Woods thinking two moves ahead. “That’s the reason why I’m a freaking announcer now and not playing the Champions Tour,” Isenhour, who is also the founder of TournamentMindset.com, elaborated by phone. “Because when that happened to me, my thought was, ‘Damn it, I gotta fix my swing.’ ”

U.S. Open - Preview Day 2

READ: PGA Tour forced to move Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational due to LA wildfires

By contrast, Woods showcased a mindset the clinical and sports psychologist Bhrett McCabe and I have been studying in recent months, including in a cover story we wrote for Golf Digest’s April issue after McCabe’s client Nick Dunlap became the first amateur in 33 years to win a PGA Tour event. The disconnect between the range and the course, for example, stems from a misconception that competition hinges on technical proficiency. I better be hitting it OK, we think, otherwise I’m screwed. But as Woods and Dunlap have shown, the real key is accessing what you can and compartmentalizing the rest.

This “Competitive IQ,” as we call it, can be found in a wide range of high performers in golf and beyond, rooted in three core principles: awareness, acceptance, and adaptability. More than just being “clutch,” the trait reflects an understanding of where practice ends and competition begins, and how to prepare accordingly.

“The Tiger story illustrates his ultimate superpower, which was he was always willing to look not at what he had as a definition of his ability to compete that day, but what he could do with what he had,” McCabe says. “He was able to compete and use his higher-level skills to compete against others who were often stuck in what we call the ‘competition paradox.’ When stress intensified, they reverted back to trying to control their mechanics and he didn’t. That’s what made Tiger great.”

With Woods at Torrey Pines, for instance, awareness was recognizing he didn’t have full command of his swing and needed to approach the final round differently. When he stuffed his driver back in the bag, that was acceptance; frustrated as he was with the club he decided this wasn’t the time to try to fix it. “That was a time where I saw someone say, forgive my language, ‘F– it. I’m not going to hit the ball that straight tomorrow, so I’m going to have to beat you from where I’m going to be,’” Isenhour said. Woods’ willingness to test a series of recovery shots that he’d likely need if he was spraying the ball off the tee was the same adaptability he had displayed throughout his career. Don’t forget this is the same golfer who won the ‘97 Masters by 12 shots, then decided to rebuild his swing once he determined he needed it to hold up better under pressure.

It’s telling that even the most talented golfer in history recognized where his talent had limits. Those of us who fail to sense how competition is different, meanwhile, often spin our wheels trying to find something temporarily out of reach, which exacerbates the problem. Why? Because Competitive IQ also factors in our hardwiring, and how it shapes our response to different situations. The responses themselves are rarely the problem. The problem is when we spend precious energy railing against elements outside our control.

“Stress isn’t negative or positive. It’s just a demand upon the body,” McCabe says. “If we choose to believe it as a sign of weaknesses, we will spend our time trying to fix our mechanisms. If we look at it as a situation that we must respond to, we will then change our mindset to be in the moment.”

Keep Reading

GOLF

PGA Tour forced to move Tiger Woods’ Genesis Invitational due to LA wildfires

By Admin January 17, 2025

Due to the devastating wildfires tearing through Los Angeles, the PGA Tour has had to shuffle The Genesis Invitational from its usual spot at the Riviera Country Club.

The prestigious tournament, typically held at the Riviera, found itself in jeopardy as terrifying fires overwhelmed LA, destroying entire neighbourhoods along with countless businesses and homes, and, tragically, 25 lives have been lost to the flames that continue to rage on.

Just last week, it was revealed that the Genesis might not go ahead since the host venue is in the middle of an evacuation area. Despite being unscathed so far, the club was cleared out and remains unused.

Firefighters are still battling the inferno, and as a result, the PGA Tour confirmed this Thursday that shifting the venue was the only practical decision. However, the dates remain fixed, and a top-notch line-up is expected, including world-renowned players Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg, and Collin Morikawa.

READ: Tiger Woods hilariously mocked by his son Charlie after comical error during TGL debut

In their announcement, the PGA Tour emphasised: “The PGA TOUR’s focus continues to be on the safety and well-being of those affected by the unprecedented natural disaster in Greater Los Angeles.

“We are grateful for the life-saving efforts of first responders and the tireless work being done to put an end to the tragic wildfires.”

“In collaboration with Genesis, The Riviera Country Club and TGR Live, and out of respect for the unfolding situation, we have determined that The Genesis Invitational 2025 will be played at an alternate location the week of Feb. 10-16. A venue update and additional tournament information will be provided in the coming days.

“The PGA TOUR is identifying the most impactful ways the tournament can support the Los Angeles community and the ongoing relief efforts. We encourage fans to join the support at PGATOUR.com/SupportLA.”

Speaking at his TGL debut this week, Woods expressed his sadness at the current situation in Los Angeles. Speaking before the announcement to move the tournament was made, Woods said: “It’s just sad. Max [Homa] and I have grown up there. We’re So Cal kids.”

“To see what has happened, I’ve known a couple people that have lost everything, so it’s just hard. As far as the Genesis, we’re trying to just figure everything out and make sure that everyone is safe and we have meetings scheduled going forward.

“But as of right now, we’re not really focused on the tournament. It’s more about what we can do to help everyone who’s struggling, who’s lost homes and had their lives changed.”

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods hilariously mocked by his son Charlie after comical error during TGL debut

By Admin January 16, 2025

Charlie Woods couldn’t contain his laughter after watching his father make a comical error during his TGL debut on Tuesday night.

Woods is the co-founder of golf’s hi-tech revolution – alongside Rory McIlroy – and this week it was the 49-year-old’s turn to tee it up in Florida.

His Jupiter Links team – which also featured Max Homa and Kevin Kisner – suffered a heavy 12-1 loss to a Los Angeles team made up of Sahith Theegala, Collin Morikawa and Justin Rose.

JUST IN: Paige Spiranac reacts to Kevin Kisner’s bunker blunder that left Tiger Woods in stitches

And the omens weren’t good as early as the second hole. On the 582-yard par five, Woods hit an approach from 101 yards out.

But the 1,500-strong crowd watched as his shot flew all the way over the back of the green – and into the water.

Woods stared at the ground – and then at the simulator screen – before cameras caught his son’s hilarious reaction.

Charlie Woods with a cold-blooded reaction to Tiger’s miss 😂

(via @Sportsnet) pic.twitter.com/pQeFZSSswX

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) January 15, 2025

As most of the crowd sighed and howled with disappointment, the 15-year-old could be seen laughing and pointing towards his father.

Later in the night, Woods Sr. also broke down in laughter after his teammate Kisner made a dreadful blunder from the sand.

On the penultimate hole, during his singles match against Collin Morikawa, Kisner found himself in the greenside bunker.

But he thinned his shot and watched it fly into the flagstick, prompting a hilarious reaction from his teammates.

Homa crouched in panic as the ball ricocheted off into the air, while Woods doubled over in fits of laughter.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Paige Spiranac reacts to Kevin Kisner’s bunker blunder that left Tiger Woods in stitches

By Admin January 16, 2025

Tiger Woods made a highly anticipated debut in the TGL, leading his team, Jupiter Links GC, against Los Angeles GC.

Walking out to the iconic “Eye of the Tiger, “Woods was all smiles, hyping up fans and promising an entertaining night of golf.

He set the tone with a confident opening shot, but the match quickly veered off course for Jupiter Links. The team suffered a resounding 12-1 defeat, with five penalty balls highlighting their struggles.

READ: 3 Things That Went Wrong With Tiger Woods TGL During Debut Match

The night wasn’t just about the scoreline. Kevin Kisner, a member of Woods’ team, delivered one of the tournament’s most unforgettable-and unfortunate-moments. On the par-3 14th hole, Kisner found himself in a bunker. Attempting what should’ve been a routine shot, he miscalculated spectacularly, sending the ball flying straight into the flagstick. The ricochet drew laughter from the crowd, with even Woods unable to stifle his amusement. “It was one of the funniest moments I’ve ever seen,”Woods admitted during the post-match press conference.

Kisner’s misstep quickly became a viral sensation. Social media buzzed with reactions, and golf influencer Paige Spiranac chimed in with her signature humor. Sharing a clip of the incident on X, she joked, “One of us! One of us! One of us!” playfully emphasizing her solidarity with Kisner while gently ribbing him.

Woods, never one to shy away from banter, poked fun at Kisner during the press conference. He joked about a microphone seemingly stuck in Kisner’s ear, adding to the hilarity of the night. Max Homa, another big name in the field, couldn’t stop laughing at the absurdity of the mishap, further solidifying the incident as the talk of the tournament.

Despite the comic relief, the night was bittersweet for Woods. While his team’s performance left much to be desired, the event showcased the TGL’s unique blend of competition and entertainment.“We’re here to have fun and showcase golf,”Woods said before the match. Though the result was disappointing, his lighthearted demeanor showed he’s embracing the TGL’s mission to bring a new energy to the sport.

Kisner’s bunker blunder, though embarrassing, became a reminder that even pros are human. As Woods put it, “It was just one of those weird nights.” With lessons learned and laughs shared, the TGL’s debut delivered plenty of drama, setting the stage for more unforgettable moments ahead.

Keep Reading

GOLF

3 Things That Went Wrong With Tiger Woods’s TGL During Debut Match

By Admin January 14, 2025

What did the world think of the 1st match of TGL?

There is no doubt that the contest between The Bay Golf Club & New York Golf Club was one of the most anticipated golf events of 2025.

Fans had been waiting for Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy’s TGL to kick off forever. Finally getting to experience the indoor golf simulation event left the fans in awe. Not only that, even the pro golfers playing the event were enjoying themselves. This is not only a positive sign for Woods & McIlroy but also an attractive prospect for the community, as TGL has been a hit and fans can’t wait to see more of it.

READ: Here’s Why Greg Norman’s LIV Golf Dream May Be on the Brink of Collapse

However, there were still a few criticisms that Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy’s project received. Insiders shared their views about the format of TGL and the entire setup after the event had concluded. Let’s look at some of the eye-catching things they had to say.

The Hammer getting overused

The concept of the Hammer is pretty unique in the world of golf and TGL has nearly nailed its implementation. Watching Xander Schauffele trying to throw the Hammer for every shot was extremely entertaining. However, it was clearly overused which doesn’t work well when there is money involved in the competition.

That’s what Smylie Kaufman had to say on his YouTube channel in a podcast a few days ago. Joined by his co-host, Charlie Hulme, the duo were on The Smylie Show to give a review of the 1st match of TGL and share what they felt about Schauffele trying to use the hammer often. That’s when Kaufman said, “It’s a shame, there should be unlimited Hammers,” joking about how the Hammer shouldn’t have been confiscated from Xander Schauffele.

To this, Hulme replied “That was the strongest complaint on social media. You’re 100% correct,” confirming that even the fans wanted to see the Hammer getting used often. However, the 1x PGA Tour winner then stated that unlimited hammers would get things out of control making TGL look more like a gameshow than a sports event.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by PGA TOUR (@pgatour)

Confirmed seat fillers

Fans watching TGL remotely were amazed to see the attendance at the arena at the SoFi Center in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. Nearly every seat was filled and the crowd was enjoying themselves watching the 1st round from the venue.

However, not everyone had paid for the tickets to enter the arena for the first match. No, we’re not talking about athletes and influencers who were invited by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. There was a controversy a few weeks ago where the TGL team was rumored to be looking for seat fillers for the 1st match of the league. A spokesperson from the tournament denied those speculations and all the tickets were purchased by the fans.

However, another insider revealed that TGL did in fact hire actors to participate in the event for the 1st round. In fact, the person who exposed the details was also a spokesperson for TGL, Adam Freifeld. He provided details of the “seat-filler” arrangement. However, as the story gained attention, TGL reps stepped in again to deflect the statement as they said that they did hire paid actors to visualize the event before it happened. There were no actual actors seated in the arena during the live match.

Lack of competitiveness

TGL’s 1st round was fun, entertaining, and exciting. Everyone, from the fans to the players was laughing and enjoying themselves during the entire contest. The atmosphere in the arena was quite energetic and delightful for everyone. But perhaps it was just a bit too much of all of that.

At least that is what Frankie Borrelli thought as he reviewed the 1st round of TGL for the Fore Play Podcast Plus YouTube channel. Speaking to his fellow hosts, Borrelli said that the format of TGL is just too different for it to be a competitive league. He criticized the constant use of music, fake cheering, and booing as he said, “They need to make the shots feel a little bit more meaningful. Because this is a league that needs to be sustainable year after year,” before stating that this doesn’t feel like natural sports.

Borrelli also shared an example of how “Tiger Woods vs. Rory McIlroy” will be a lot more intense in silence. The Fore Play Podcast Plus host believes that the natural reaction of the crowd after either of the greats hits an excellent shot will be a lot more meaningful. He stated that “all night it was like a game show,” suggesting that TGL is going a bit too far away from competitive golf. The host also Hammered Matt Fitzpatrick for his funny reaction after hitting a bad shot when his team was losing. He thinks that TGL “doesn’t need be this huge charade or circus,” as he expects players to take it seriously just like they would do in PGA Tour or DP World Tour event.

These were some of the biggest criticisms TGL received after the end of the 1st round. However, there were some other issues that caught the spotlight, like DJ Khaled’s appearance getting a lot of heat from the fans.

But, do you think that Tiger Woods & Rory McIlroy should make some changes to TGL after receiving such feedback? Do you think the change TGL is bringing, is actually a welcomed surprise to golf? Share your views in the comments section.

Keep Reading

GOLF

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy planning surprise LIV Golf move as TGL resumes

By Admin January 13, 2025

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new interactive golf league, TGL, is set to make significant changes, including extending an unexpected olive branch to players in LIV Golf.

Initially, TGL was perceived as a league exclusively for PGA Tour players, stopping short of being a direct competitor to the Saudi Arabia-backed league. The divide became starkly apparent when former Masters champion Jon Rahm pulled out of TGL just weeks before signing his $550M (£450M) deal with LIV.

The TGL officially kicked off a week ago in Florida and will resume on Tuesday night with Woods participating in his first game in the interactive sim league. McIlroy is set to play for the first time in a week, against Woods’ Jupiter Links GC.

JUST IN: Here’s Why Greg Norman’s LIV Golf Dream May Be on the Brink of Collapse

Despite only being a week old, it appears that TGL is poised for expansion sooner rather than later, with TMRW Sports co-founder Mike McCarley suggesting that the league will spread to new locations.

Currently, the games are held at the SoFi Center in Florida, but officials have already scouted new sites in anticipation of a potential future expansion. Locations in Las Vegas, Southern California, and Scottsdale have all been mentioned, according to Sport Business Journal, reports the Mirror.

In addition to this expansion, McCarley revealed plans to recruit players from LIV, potentially paving the way for Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton to return. The report suggests player involvement could be a factor in the ongoing merger talks between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, the backers of LIV.

McCarley highlighted the media buzz around potential changes but stressed the importance of the present responsibilities: “I know it’s interesting and I know everyone’s talking about it and I know it’s fun to kind of pontificate on what could or could not be, but we have a job to do. We’ve got to deliver a really compelling product,” he said.

He didn’t dispute the possibility of recruiting LIV players, saying, “Oh yeah. Yes, absolutely [LIV players could be signed],” Yet, he emphasized the current success: “But the reality is, we have a good business in what we have right now.”

Discussions continue between Public Investment Fund (PIF) representatives and PGA Tour executives regarding a potential collaboration, with various models under review. Meanwhile, ex-Masters winner Patrick Reed expressed his views to Mirror Sport on the necessity of diverse leagues for the growth of golf.

Reed conveyed his vision for the game: “Hopefully we can just start focusing on golf rather than PGA Tour vs LIV or DP World Tour vs LIV and more about the guys vs the guys. Obviously some guys didn’t like that some guys jumped and played on a different league, but at the same time I think it has really helped grow the game of golf and showed a different side of it, LIV is different, it is trying to show a different side of golf.”

He continued to clarify the contribution of the new league: “We don’t need another league that is exactly like the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour. We are trying to bring the younger generation into golf. How do you do that? Add music, a team aspect, have it be faster, have it not last as long with a shotgun start, have the concerts. It shows a new side of golf and a newer age.”

“I think golf needs both. Not one or the other golf needs both because the traditionalists will tend towards the PGA Tour, whereas the kids or younger generation who want a faster pace, there is a perfect spot to see that at LIV.”

Keep Reading

GOLF

Here’s Why Greg Norman’s LIV Golf Dream May Be on the Brink of Collapse

By Admin January 13, 2025

LIV Golf’s reality has fallen short of its initial hype and promise, and it’s clear that the dream is not quite what it used to be.

Despite its ambitious goals and high-profile signings, the league has struggled with viewership, sponsorship, and legal issues, casting a shadow over its future prospects. It’s hard not to notice that the excitement around LIV Golf’s launch has given way to some serious concerns about its future. The truth is, it’s getting tougher to shake the feeling that LIV Golf’s best days might already be behind it. Greg Norman’s vision for a rival golf tour was certainly ambitious, but now it’s looking increasingly uncertain. So, what’s holding LIV Golf back?

So, what’s really going on with LIV Golf? Well, the first roadblock that might be hindering its quest for legitimacy is the lack of a clear pathway for growth and legacy. Eugenio Chacarra’s recent confession was a telling indictment of the tour’s priorities. Despite being a winner on the LIV Golf Tour, Chacarra felt unfulfilled and unrecognized, with no clear opportunities for advancement or major championships. We can’t blame the golfer here though as his words painted a picture of an organization that values money above all else which leaves its players feeling empty and uninspired.

READ: Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy rub salt into Greg Norman’s wounds with LIV Golf olive branch

While yes, Chacarra’s decision to leave LIV Golf and pursue his dreams on the PGA Tour may be considered controversial, fans do believe it was the right one. As he aptly put it, “I’m not a guy who wants more money. What will change my life is playing in Hawaii and qualifying for the majors, qualifying for the Masters, the Ryder Cup.” We mean, who wouldn’t want that? His story is a powerful reminder that for many golfers, the love of the game goes far beyond the lure of a fat paycheck.

LIV Golf is facing a bit of a conundrum, and it’s a pretty big one. The relegation system, which was supposed to inject some excitement and competition into the league, has essentially been rendered meaningless. Why you ask? Well, a case in point is Branden Grace, who finished a dismal 51st out of 57 players last season, yet is back with Stinger GC. Yeah, you read that right, a player who got relegated is just… back. No fuss, whatsoever. Unsurprisingly, this reversal has sparked a legitimacy crisis, with fans calling foul and questioning the league’s commitment to fairness and transparency. You see, it’s not just about Branden Grace, it’s about the entire system, which appears to be more focused on making exceptions for certain players rather than promoting genuine competition.

The news that took the golf world by storm, is still not official. Yes, we’re talking about the LIV Golf and Fox Sports deal. LIV Golf’s broadcast deal is still nowhere to be found – a broadcast deal for LIV Golf remains elusive. Despite all the hype, the parties involved haven’t made an official announcement yet. It’s got everyone in the golf world wondering what’s going on. To make matters worse, the merger that was supposed to be a game-changer has stalled. That’s a big problem for LIV Golf’s future. And if that wasn’t enough, coupled with the absence of OWGR points, major exemptions, and other benefits, is already taking its toll. Players like Eugenio Chacarra are already jumping ship, and well you can’t really blame them now can you?

As we all heard, Greg Norman’s time as LIV Golf’s CEO is coming to an end. Norman himself confirmed that his contract is hitting the wall in August 2025 and while he’ll be sticking around in some capacity it’s clear that his role is about to undergo a major change. Norman has been fully committed to LIV until now and has done pretty amazing work like getting golfers like Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau to join the league. However, he’s likely to step back from the CEO position, which means he’ll have less influence over key decisions and important matters. This news isn’t entirely unexpected, given rumors that the PIF was seeking new leadership. As LIV Golf continues to evolve, it will be interesting to see how Norman’s legacy will move onwards.

Keep Reading