BEDMINSTER, N.J. — At first look, a LIV Golf occasion seems to be like an expert golf event.
The occasion at Trump Nationwide Golf Membership in Bedminster, N.J., which started on Friday, has a variety of the highest gamers on this planet taking part in.
The sector options 11 main champions, 5 of whom have received no less than one inexperienced jacket as a Masters champion. 13 of them have performed in no less than one Ryder Cup. 4 of them as soon as held the No. 1 rating on this planet.
That’s greater than consultant. An argument, actually, could be made that this area is extra compelling than the one competing within the Rocket Mortgage Traditional, the PGA Tour occasion being staged this week in Detroit (in case anybody seen).
The Trump Nationwide course is a reputable top-class observe. It’s difficult and scenic. There are grandstands, regardless that the crowds are sparse, and there are meals and beverage distributors.
A winner will likely be topped on Sunday and can obtain a trophy and a examine.
So, there are important components to a LIV Golf occasion that really feel actual.
But a lot of it feels faux.
In any case, what does this all imply?
The 48 members have already got obtained assured cash for merely displaying up on the first tee (a few of them paid sums that would feed a small nation lobster and New York strip steaks for a number of years), so there’s no consequence as to the place they end by event’s finish.
There are not any world rating factors at stake in LIV occasions, no less than not but. The tour has utilized for them, however not holding its breath. So, no matter occurs by the point the ultimate putt drops within the farmland of Central Jersey late Sunday afternoon will imply nothing because it pertains to any of those gamers serving to themselves qualify for any of the key championships.
The tournaments are 54-hole occasions as an alternative of the standard 72 on all the different skilled (non-senior) excursions, with 48 gamers as an alternative of the standard 156 or 144.
There’s a shotgun begin for every spherical. There’s music blaring from audio system on the grandstands and tee packing containers. It’s a bizarre feeling.
It feels faux.
Does it actually matter that Henrik Stenson, the just lately fired Ryder Cup captain taking part in in his first LIV occasion, and Patrick Reed every shot a 7-under 64 to share a two-shot lead after the opening spherical Friday?
Does anybody actually care?
Elevate your hand in the event you’ve ever heard of Phachara Khongwatmai, who’s in second place, standing at 5-under. No disrespect meant (to you or Khongwatmai), however you’ve by no means heard of Khongwatmai.
Does it matter that Phil Mickelson, very a lot the face of LIV Golf (aside from CEO and commissioner Greg Norman), continues to wrestle? He completed Friday 4-over 75, which makes him a cumulative 24-over in his seven LIV rounds.
Mickelson, who ended his day with a doubtful three-putt on his ultimate gap, is being paid a reported $200 million assured to play within the Saudi-backed tour. So, the place precisely is the motivation to safe the extra $4 million paid to the winner?
Are you fired up that Brooks Koepka (3-under 68) edged out his youthful brother, Chase (2-under 69), by one shot?
Are you immersed and riveted by the LIV Golf workforce competitors, with Crew 4 Aces (that includes Reed, Dustin Johnson, Pat Perez and Talor Gooch) getting into the second spherical Saturday at 11-under with a slim one-shot lead over Crew Majesticks (that includes Stenson, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sam Horsfield)?
Are you involved about Crew Niblick, Crew Cleeks and Crew Punch wallowing in final place collectively 10 pictures out of the lead?
Didn’t assume so.
Positive, we’re being cynical about all of this, however how will you not be with the circus ambiance that includes former President Donald Trump (who owns the golf course) parading across the premises like a peacock and music blaring all over the place whereas the gamers play?
In equity, there may be leisure worth to LIV Golf. It’s an opportunity to see among the recreation’s largest names up shut. The music is nice.
Perhaps this factor will stick. Perhaps sometime what takes place on the golf course throughout LIV occasions will truly matter and the outcomes could have some consequence.
Extra high gamers are believed poised to take the free Saudi cash as quickly because the PGA Tour’s playoff season is over and the Presidents Cup concludes within the fall. There are a lot of authorized dominoes but to fall, starting with the state of the PGA Tour suspensions of its gamers who're taking part in LIV Golf and the potential collusion over handing over world rating factors to LIV.
Perhaps we’ll get to some extent at which it will matter and it received’t really feel so contrived, so faux.
That point simply doesn’t appear to be it’s coming anytime quickly.
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