PGA Tour ups the tone against LIV Golf, Invitational Series

By Rahul Banerji

LIV Golf and its money-heavy series may not have really rattled the PGA Tour, but clearly, the Greg Norman-fronted league has nettled the “establishment”.

On Sunday, a day after LIV’s London event winner Charl Schwartzel pocketed the largest purse in golf history, PGA Tour star Rory McIllroy took a pot-shot at Norman.

Minutes after retaining his Canadian Open title in Toronto, McIllroy, so far tied level with Norman on 20 PGA Tour wins, had this to say.

“I had extra motivation of what’s going on across the pond,” the Northern Ireland golfer said.

“The guy that’s spearheading that tour has 20 wins on the PGA Tour and I was tied with him and I wanted to get one ahead of him. And I did.

Day to remember

“So that was really cool for me – just a little sense of pride on that one. This is a day I’ll remember for a long, long time.”

Added PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, who joined live coverage of the final day at Toronto, “Why do they need us so badly?”

He then answered that question himself.

“Those players (the LIV Golf ‘rebels’) have chosen to play in a series of exhibition matches against the same players over and over again.

“You look at that versus what we see here today, and that’s why they need us so badly.

“You have true, pure competition with the best players in the world here at the RBC Canadian Open with millions of fans watching.”

This is at the heart of what has been bugging the world’s preeminent professional golf establishment. The number of its members who have signed up with the Saudi Arabia-backed league.

At the first LIV Invitational Series event near London that offered $25 million in total prize money, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson were the headliners.

Growing numbers

In the course of the three-day, 54-hole event (hence the name LIV which is based on Roman numerals making up that number), Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed came on board.

In total, 20 PGA Tour members – all of whom have now been suspended – are on the LIV rolls and more are expected to sign up in the weeks ahead of the second event in Portland.

Hence, the PGA Tour’s angst, bewilderment or whatever you may want to call it, after the tournament at Centurion Club near London.

Added Commissioner Monahan, “In this game, it’s pure and true competition that creates the profile of the world’s greatest players and that’s why they need us.

“That’s what we do. But we aren’t going to allow players to free-ride off our loyal members, the best players in the world.

“Life is all about meaning and purpose and we are an organization with meaning and purpose.

“The best players in the world make wonderful things happen on this platform day in and day out, week in and week out.

“This organisation is going to continue to evolve … and we are going to continue to advocate for and grow this game in the right way.”

Raw nerve

The repeated emphasis on “best players in the world” and evolution of the PGA Tour’s role also suggested Norman has hit a raw nerve.

The Aussie great has repeatedly emphasised he would like top professional golfers to be “free agents”, who as individuals could decide how their commitments were scheduled.

“Free agency has finally come to golf,” Norman said ahead of the London Invitational.

“This is an opportunity to start a movement that will bring new and open competition to the sport we all love.”

On Reed’s addition, Norman added on Saturday, “He has a proven track record as one of the most consistent competitors in pro golf and adds yet another big presence at our tournaments.

“He’s a major champion who has had a significant impact playing international team competitions, and he’ll bring another impressive dynamic to our team-based format at LIV Golf.”

Reed became the ninth major champion to commit to the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

Also read: Reed, DeChambeau join LIV Golf and will play Oregon event