BROOKLINE, Mass. — A U.S. Open will likely be performed this week at one of the vital historic venues in golf, but the speak round The Nation Membership on Monday was not concerning the third main championship of the yr.
No. It was about LIV Golf, the Greg Norman-fronted, Saudi-backed tour that performed its inaugural occasion final week outdoors of London.
This, after all, isn't good for golf.
Whereas I’ve been — and stay — adamant that PGA Tour gamers ought to have the precise to play wherever they need to as impartial contractors, the damaging by-product to this heavyweight bout between PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan versus Norman is the division that’s happening within the sport among the many finest gamers on this planet.
This has develop into a “one-or-the-other” alternative when it doesn’t must be.
How lengthy this division stays in place — and it’s going to worsen earlier than it will get higher as extra PGA Tour gamers will chase the Saudis’ bottomless cash pit — isn’t identified, and that has most of the high gamers disturbed.
On the high of that listing is Justin Thomas, who’s been one of many strongest voices defending the PGA Tour in its battle with LIV Golf. Thomas on Monday spoke with ardour about his concern with the place that is going, utilizing the phrase “unhappy.’’
Thomas, who was outlasted by Rory McIlroy in Sunday’s ultimate spherical of the RBC Canadian Open, known as it “a giant week for the Tour,’’ as a result of it was going head-to-head with LIV’s first occasion, Thomas and McIlroy are two of the Tour’s largest attracts and so they placed on a hell of a present.
“I tossed and turned and misplaced loads of sleep final week fascinated with what might probably occur,’’ Thomas mentioned. “I grew up my total life eager to play the PGA Tour, wanting to interrupt information, make historical past, play Presidents Cups, play Ryder Cups. The truth that issues like [the product of the PGA Tour] might probably get harm due to a number of the folks which might be leaving, and if extra go, it’s simply unhappy. Every little thing has received a value, I suppose.’’
These costs have been staggering, with Phil Mickelson reportedly being paid $200 million, Dustin Johnson $125 million and Bryson DeChambeau $100 million.
“It’s astronomical cash that they’re throwing at folks,’’ Thomas mentioned. “There’s going to be some form of quantity that’s going to get folks to consider it, and so they’re reaching that quantity with lots of people. Selfishly, I don’t need anyone to depart.’’
Mickelson on Monday made it clear his choice is to not be estranged from the PGA Tour, that he hopes sooner or later to proceed enjoying PGA Tour occasions in addition to LIV Golf occasions.
“I’ve labored arduous to provide again to the PGA Tour and the sport of golf all through my 30-plus years of professional golf, and … by way of my accomplishments on the course, I’ve earned a lifetime membership,’’ he mentioned. “I intend to maintain that after which select going ahead which occasions to play and never. My choice is to have the ability to select which path I would love, one or the opposite or each.’’
Thomas mentioned one of many issues that bothers him concerning the rush of publicity LIV Golf has gotten is that it’s taking consideration away from the U.S. Open.
“You may’t go wherever with out any person bringing it up,’’ Thomas mentioned. “It’s unhappy. That is the U.S. Open, and that is an unbelievable venue, a spot with a lot historical past, an unbelievable area, so many storylines, and but that appears to be what all of the questions are about.
“That’s unlucky. That’s not proper to the USGA. That’s not proper for the U.S. Open. That’s not proper for us gamers. However that’s, sadly, the place we’re at proper now.’’
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