[Tvflguy]

Months ago, I never thought I’d say this. I don’t blame pro golfers to go to LIV Golf.

Hurts to say, but lifestyle, family time, and certainly BIG Bucks speak loudly.

Most of us have a price. And for those guys LIV hit the target. Not wanting to get into the Saudi thing, but the +s sure negate that negative.

Putting myself in a 35 year old PGA pro, and receiving an offer as they are…. Yikes tough to ignore.

I -kind of- admire guys like Rory, but money talks. And for those PGA pros with a healthy bank account, they have it made. Stick with PGA.

But Finally, a golfer said I did it for the money when going to LIV. I actually don’t recall who finally said it, but Finally a Switcher was honest.

I watched some of the John Deere match this weekend but became bored without the big names playing. Just saying.

Some of the LIV changes to the tourneys are quite god and I have watched some of the Portland match on Facebook. Was interesting. But LIV will need sponsors and a TV coverage deal to really succeed in the USA.

Competition is good and the PGA is getting it head-on.

[Mortal1]

Disagree in total. One point you miss...none of those golfers you don't see on the pga tour were famous before striking it rich on the pga tour and dollars to donuts Mickelsons reason is because his gambling debts are greater than his pga job paid. I guess if you don't play for the love of the game you're right and if you don't honor your commitment to that which made you a star and paid for it as well you are also right.

Personally I put loyalty before $$$$.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by Mortal1

Disagree in total. One point you miss...none of those golfers you don't see on the pga tour were famous before striking it rich on the pga tour and dollars to donuts Mickelsons reason is because his gambling debts are greater than his pga job paid. I guess if you don't play for the love of the game you're right and if you don't honor your commitment to that which made you a star and paid for it as well you are also right.

Personally I put loyalty before $$$$.

Let’s be totally honest. Pro golfers perform because it’s their JOB. It’s how they support their families. Loyalty goes just so far. Some of those players going to LIV may be in the twilight of their careers or just starting out.

I’m honest with myself and why I did a 180. Money talks. Loyalty goes just so far but doesn’t pay the bills. It is what it is.

[Babubhat]

LIV is boring. A few good players. They received so much up front the purses are peanuts for the top players.

The John Deere should be extinct. Beyond the majors Most tournaments are dull. Time for courses to be US Open difficult every week

[GpaVader]

The John Deere has always had an issue getting the "BIG" names, a lot of these tournaments do when they are next to a major, or just after one.
Sorry, I don't feel sorry for the LIV players. Guess we'll see how long that league survives...

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

Months ago, I never thought I’d say this. I don’t blame pro golfers to go to LIV Golf.

Hurts to say, but lifestyle, family time, and certainly BIG Bucks speak loudly.

Most of us have a price. And for those guys LIV hit the target. Not wanting to get into the Saudi thing, but the +s sure negate that negative.

Putting myself in a 35 year old PGA pro, and receiving an offer as they are…. Yikes tough to ignore.

I -kind of- admire guys like Rory, but money talks. And for those PGA pros with a healthy bank account, they have it made. Stick with PGA.

But Finally, a golfer said I did it for the money when going to LIV. I actually don’t recall who finally said it, but Finally a Switcher was honest.

I watched some of the John Deere match this weekend but became bored without the big names playing. Just saying.

Some of the LIV changes to the tourneys are quite god and I have watched some of the Portland match on Facebook. Was interesting. But LIV will need sponsors and a TV coverage deal to really succeed in the USA.

Competition is good and the PGA is getting it head-on.

Don’t see LaBran worry about China, just gimy my money bro, make me some more shoes in the sweat shops. Sports are over paid

[MartinSE]

Money.

There in lies the root of so many problems. And there is no way to argue that a person/company is highly motivated to make as much as possible. Even at the expense of morals, ethics, lives, whatever.

Doing business with the Saudis is just one example, since the Saudi's don't have a good track record on human rights, morality, etc. One the other hand all those saying LIV sucks because of Saudi funding, and will not support it - how many of you also don't drive a gasoline powered car? OPEC controls about 70% of the worlds oil supplies, so every time you fill up you are putting money into their pockets.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

I can understand some of the players taking the big money but I don't understand some of them.

Phil's career is pretty much over. Whether it's gambling debts or whatever, it would be hard to turn down $200 million. Same can be said for Sergio Charl Swartzel, Lee Westwood, Iam Poulter, Martin Kaymer, Louis Oosthuizen, Grahame McDowell.


Some of the other's are not going to make a ton of money on the tour and are not going to have a real legacy to protect. Maverick McNealy, Scott Stallings, Patton Kizzire, Pat Perez, Abe Ancer, Branden Grace, Talor Gooch Kevin Na, Andy Ogletree, Hudson Swafford, Peter Uhlein and a few others.
Some of these players have bounced back and forth between the PGA Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour. They are much better off playing again fewer players with no cut.

Several at the bottom of the list were never really full time PGA Tour players anyway and were probably never going to make it on the PGA Tour.

Now a few puzzle me and I have a some theories that might explain whay they moved.

Koepka, DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson have all had some injuries lately and they may feel as though they're never going to be the players that they once were. They can still play at least three of the majors (The PGA of America hasn't said anything yet about the PGA Championship) but they won't be able to play The Players nor possibly the Ryder Cup or President's Cup.

Many have lost all of their sponsors and won't be getting and OWGR points.

The other possibility is that they have lawyers telling them that they are going to sue the PGA Tour in order to get their playing privileges and they are going to win. of course, the Tour also has lawyers that are telling them that they will prevail in a law suit as well.

The DP World Tour sound fairly confident that they are following the rules that have been in place for decades and would also prevail in a lawsuit.

It will be interesting to see how it all turns out.

So far this is just another minor league tour with a few marquee players. They will have to get on television in the US or Europe in order to be a worldwide success. They are also going to have to get OWGR points.

But right now, all they have is a five of the top 30 players in the world, a bunch of guys that should be on the Champions Tour or the Korn Ferry Tour or be playing one of the other minor tours around the world.

I'd be interested in watching the event at The International in Massachusetts only because I've played that course several times.

[kkingston57]

Originally Posted by Tvflguy

Months ago, I never thought I’d say this. I don’t blame pro golfers to go to LIV Golf.

Hurts to say, but lifestyle, family time, and certainly BIG Bucks speak loudly.

Most of us have a price. And for those guys LIV hit the target. Not wanting to get into the Saudi thing, but the +s sure negate that negative.

Putting myself in a 35 year old PGA pro, and receiving an offer as they are…. Yikes tough to ignore.

I -kind of- admire guys like Rory, but money talks. And for those PGA pros with a healthy bank account, they have it made. Stick with PGA.

But Finally, a golfer said I did it for the money when going to LIV. I actually don’t recall who finally said it, but Finally a Switcher was honest.

I watched some of the John Deere match this weekend but became bored without the big names playing. Just saying.

Some of the LIV changes to the tourneys are quite god and I have watched some of the Portland match on Facebook. Was interesting. But LIV will need sponsors and a TV coverage deal to really succeed in the USA.

Competition is good and the PGA is getting it head-on.

Felt the same way as you did and nobody should be condeming the players. It is a win win situation for them financially. On the other side, I ? the biz model of this league, especally with the up front money, high prize money, no TV contract and competion with the PGA. Doubt that any business who has to answer to board members, stock holders would be in this biz. To make matters worse they are signing up older, past their prime, players and un tested up comers. Pat Perez(46 years old) has won 3 tournament in his career and he was just signed up. Could you imagine what Tiger would have received if he was in his prime.

Only time will tell. Saudi's do have a bottom less pit. Wonder how much personal money Greg has at stake. Bet nothing.

[Rainger99]

People are criticizing LIV because of the Saudi connections. However, the Chinese are probably more oppressive than the Saudis and people don't have a problem with the Chinese. Many of our products are made in China and people keep buying them. I would bet that everyone reading this post has some Chinese made product in their house.

I don't think the PGA Tour has a problem with the Saudi's civil rights record. I think they are more upset about LIV taking some of the top players making the PGA less attractive for television viewers. The monopoly PGA is objecting to competition.

The following is an interesting article about the PGA and the Chinese connection.

The PGA Tour’s Sportswashing Problem in China – InsideSources

Finally, if LIV put together a tournament with the top 50 players in the world, would you watch it?

[Vikingjunior]

I guess all the PGA defenders are also okay with the fact that the PGA doesn't pay one dime in taxes. 100% tax exempt so the can give people millions and millions for hitting a white ball.
The PGA made a total disaster responding to LIV with their constant mud slinging and the commissioner Jay Monahan trying to use 9/11 to shame players to protect his cash cow.
Rory and JT are acting so childish throughout this whole thing.
PGA had a good run as a monopoly on golf but their luck has run out.
It's amazing that after players started jumping ship the PGA found all this money and increased purses for next year. PGA players should be thanking the Saudi's for forcing the PGA to reach into the bank and increase payouts because that wasn't happening without the LIV.

[Rwirish]

Totally disagree, enough said.

[JMintzer]

Originally Posted by Vikingjunior

I guess all the PGA defenders are also okay with the fact that the PGA doesn't pay one dime in taxes. 100% tax exempt so the can give people millions and millions for hitting a white ball.

Who then pay taxes on the monies they receive...

You want that money taxed twice? Watch their charitable contributions disappear...

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by Vikingjunior

I guess all the PGA defenders are also okay with the fact that the PGA doesn't pay one dime in taxes. 100% tax exempt so the can give people millions and millions for hitting a white ball.
The PGA made a total disaster responding to LIV with their constant mud slinging and the commissioner Jay Monahan trying to use 9/11 to shame players to protect his cash cow.
Rory and JT are acting so childish throughout this whole thing.
PGA had a good run as a monopoly on golf but their luck has run out.
It's amazing that after players started jumping ship the PGA found all this money and increased purses for next year. PGA players should be thanking the Saudi's for forcing the PGA to reach into the bank and increase payouts because that wasn't happening without the LIV.

Totally agree with this commentary, and perhaps after witnessing PGAs and Monahan’s actions and talk over the months… is why I have flipped 180 re LIV.

[Tvflguy]

Originally Posted by JMintzer

Who then pay taxes on the monies they receive...

You want that money taxed twice? Watch their charitable contributions disappear...

Taxed twice? Oh yeah the IRS code sure allows for that in so many ways.