THE speculations have been brewing for a few months. Ever since Saudi Arabia’s PIF-for Public Investment Fund-announced it was pulling funding for the renegade league in April, everyone knew the end was near.
Sure, there were/are rumors of a new investor. But even that were true, the size and scale surely wouldn’t equal that of what the Saudis put in.
So what’s next for LIV and the players who defected? Before we get into the what ifs and probabilities, let’s take a quick look into what happened and the effects LIV had on professional golf in general.
The early days
THE inaugural LIV London Invitational held in June 2022 drew mixed reactions, but way before the first tournament, the mudslinging was already in full gear.
Aside from huge contracts (some in nine figures US dollars), having a polarizing CEO in Greg Norman and funding from Saudi’s PIF ensured strong sentiments from various sectors.
I am of the opinion that when it comes to livelihood, we should respect each professional’s decision. Records and legacy aside, if you aren’t close to dominating the sport and breaking all sorts of all-time records, then getting a huge paycheck is an easy choice to make for any professional. That is the essence of being a pro after all, being paid to play.
Among the issues hurled at LIV is the source of their funding-the Saudi PIF. But the PGA Tour also has sponsors with money from the same region. So for me, that is a bunch of the pot calling the kettle black. Both LIV and the PGA Tour have oil-stained hands.
On the issues of recruiting players and giving large contracts, and on funding, I am for LIV. As for growing the game of golf, LIV has also done well by holding tournaments outside the usual venues, with events played other than in the US and Europe.
So that’s another plus. In fact, locally, we have been the receiving end with The International Series Philippines last year being part of a pathway series into LIV.
The issue I have with the defectors to LIV was the various reasons they gave on why they jumped ship. From a less hectic schedule to growing the game, from better caddy treatment to gripes about PGA Tour regulations, the reasons were everything but money.
LIV had deep pockets and drew everyone from those atop the food chain to those barely hanging on to their cards.
Reality sinks in
AFTER a couple of years of battling for audience share, sponsors and critics, the cracks started to show. The business side really didn’t make much sense. The format of 54-hole tournaments also wasn’t working. Players lost their places on the Official World Golf Rankings and their chances to join majors with it. Only past major champions and a few exemptions were able to compete at the big events.
Ryder Cup qualifications were also lost, and in Henrik Stenson’s case, even his captaincy. LIV’s most vocal proponent and its brains, Greg Norman, was eventually ousted to give way to the possibility of better relations with the PGA Tour.
But all these efforts still couldn’t bring in the numbers.
The end is near
IN the past few days, LIV players have started posting statements on social media. While they will surely have good things to say about the rebel league, the future is very vague for those still in their prime and hoping for a pathway to return to the PGA Tour.
It helps that the top LIV recruits have made tens to hundreds of millions in guaranteed money for defecting. But for rookies who weren’t offered huge signing bonuses, and players who are at the twilight of their careers, it may spell the end.
LIV was not all bad. It forced a number of changes to the PGA Tour and brought more money in for the best players. The rivalry and bitter debates also resulted in renewed interest in golf.
If LIV was hoping for an eventual merger with the PGA Tour like what happened in other pro sports like the ABA (American Basketball Association) and NBA (National Basketball Association) or in pro football, they never had enough muscle to do it.
LIV simply never gained traction and the majority of the stories during LIV’s short episode revolved around being able to play both LIV and majors, or LIV and PGA events, or LIV and the Ryder Cup.
If LIV truly had such an amazing product, they wouldn’t have had to look elsewhere for validation.
LIV supporters are calling this the end of LIV 1.0, probably thinking there will be something next. That looks remote if not impossible.
Golf is better united and everyone wants the best players competing on the same stages. It seems like good riddance to LIV Golf.