In late 2021 Greg Norman started the LIV (54) Golf Tour. Greg Norman was a PGA (Professional Golf Association) professional from the 1970s-1990s. He is known for his vast success in the golf world and in business. No one knew it then, but he just started on the biggest rivalries in sports history.
This rivalry has been very intense ever since the beginning of the LIV birth. One reason is because LIV has been talking to PGA players in private behind the backs of the PGA Board. When LIV began it had a ton of money to spend on signing players. For example, a writer for SportingNews.com said, “LIV paid Dustin Johnson $150 million.” That was just for signing the paper, not even winning a tournament which he did earlier this year. Johnson won $35 million from that tourney. Another player they signed was Phil Mickleson; a six time major winner on the PGA Tour, was sought by LIV because of his influence in the golf industry. Thus, LIV gave him $200 million. The biggest offer LIV made was to Tiger Woods, the biggest offer in sports history. LIV offered Tiger Woods $1 billion to be the face of this new golf league. To much surprise Tiger said no to this offer.
Lots of people don’t like this league because it is rumored to be funded by “dirty money.” Their main source of income is the Saudi Arabian Government, according to Golf Monthly. They also have sponsors like former President Donald Trump, who hosts a tournament at his golf course. They basically have unlimited money because of their sponsors and the government, thus they offered Tiger $1 billion. Some players who have rejected LIV include Rory Mcilroy, Will Zalatoris, and Hedeki Matsuyama. Rory McIlroy and Tiger have stepped into the role of leading the PGA Tour players. They have publicly insulted the LIV Tour and Saudi Government with the full support of the PGA Board and players behind them.
Many people don’t even know the difference between the LIV and PGA Tours, but there are many. One main difference is that no one gets “cut”. There are four days in a golf tournament. Getting cut means that you have a certain score to make it into the weekend. If you get cut then you don’t get any money and it was basically a waste of your time and money to qualify for this event. Since no one gets cut, everyone gets money and no one goes home empty handed. Another difference is that LIV events are only 54 holes over three days while traditional PGA events are 72 holes over four days. The last main difference is LIV does a “shotgun” start. This means that before the start of a round, everyone gets assigned to a hole. When everton gets to their hole, they all tee off at a certain time. This helps by not making rounds last a long time like some do with the PGA.
In conclusion, I believe that some players had valid reasons for leaving the PGA. If the players had families that they had to feed, then it is easier to make money on the LIV Tour as opposed to the PGA. Although I feel like this bad blood will continue. I feel like it won’t last long.
