Saturday September 30, 2023

Eligibility For Golf’s Majors Could Control LIV Golf’s Destiny

  • Tiger Woods warns LIV players may never get a chance to play majors.
  • But barring LIVers could “diminish” the appeal of majors, warns Peter Kostis
Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports
Front Office Sports Today

Donovan McNabb and the State of Football

From Taylor Swift to the Prime Effect, there's a lot going on in the world of football.
Listen Now
September 29, 2023 | Podcast
Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

The brash upstarts of LIV Golf are being treated like party-crashers at the historic 150th Open Championship at St. Andrews.

Despite winning two Opens, LIV CEO Greg Norman was disinvited from the R&A’s Champions Dinner, in a move Norman called “petty.”

Some spectators even booed LIV defector Ian Poulter on the first tee — leading the British golfer to nearly hook his tee shot out of bounds.

Before the action got underway for Thursday’s first round, R&A CEO Martin Slumbers criticized the circus-like F1 atmosphere around LIV’s first two events, which included sky-divers, jugglers and “apres-golf” concerts. 

The Open may make it harder for LIV golfers to qualify in the future, he warned. 

“I believe the model we’ve seen at (LIV London) and (LIV Portland) is not in the best long-term interests of the sport as a whole and is entirely driven by money,” said Slumbers. “We believe it undermines the merit-based culture and the spirit of open competition that makes golf so special.”

Yes, LIV stars like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Bryon DeChambeau have their nine-figure contracts, all-expenses paid accommodations, and opulent party jets.  

But the organizers of golf’s four major tournaments — the Open Championship, U.S. Open, Masters Tournament, and PGA Championship — still hold the cards.

They can ban LIV players from competing in their tournaments or change their qualifying rules, with no exemptions for past victories or performance.

The question of whether LIV golfers will be able to tee it up in golf’s four biggest tournaments could determine whether LIV succeeds — or becomes another failed pro league like the XFL, USFL, and Alliance of American Football.

The sport’s four majors are to pro golfers what the Super Bowl is to NFL players. From childhood on, they dream of hoisting the Claret Jug at The Open or donning the Green Jacket at Augusta National.

It’s one thing for the 52-year-old Mickelson, with six major titles to his name, to collect his $200 million from the Saudis — but someone like the 38-year old Johnson, who’s still at the top of his game, the decision to forgo a chance at a third major is a tough one.

Winning majors leads to lucrative equipment and sponsorship deals. Winning the LIV Golf Invitational Jeddah in Saudi Arabia this fall won’t bring nearly the same cache.

The civil war dividing the normally genteel golf industry is hardening attitudes across the board. 

Furious at LIV, the established PGA and DP World Tours would dearly love for golf’s organizing bodies to take their side and make things tough for LIV golfers. They’re making progress.

  • USGA CEO Mike Whan warned last month his organization might scrutinize qualifying criteria for LIV golfers. 
  • At St. Andrews, Tiger Woods ripped LIV mutineers for turning their back on the tours that built their careers. Woods also dangled the possibility of LIV defectors being banned from majors — forever.

From a strategic standpoint, majors could become a rare venue where fans can watch PGA Tour stars like Scottie Scheffler and Jordan Spieth go head-to-head with their LIV rivals. 

But the organizing bodies have to be careful, warned Peter Kostis, the former CBS Sports golf analyst. If the majors ban some of the world’s best golfers from competing, they “diminish” their own value — and invite possible legal action. 

“It works both ways. If all of the majors were to get together and unilaterally decide some course of action regarding players who have signed up for LIV, I would think they’re opening themselves up for a lawsuit for some sort of collusion.”

The good news? Kostis’ sources in St. Andrews report peace talks may be breaking out between the battling tours. To him, there’s plenty of golf and money to go around. The best solution is for the PGA, DP, and LIV tours to establish some sort of modus vivendi that allows them to work together.

“Hopefully, they will be able to talk things through — and make things right,” said Kostis. “If the majors don’t allow the LIV players to play, then I think the majors will be diminished. And I think the whole golf world will be diminished.”

During Friday’s second round, Johnson was only two shots off the lead. As a hated disruptor, the best-case scenario for LIV is for one of its 23 players in the field to capture The Open this weekend. That would illustrate a rough equality between the ropes and go a long way toward solving LIV’s major problem.

Linkedin
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryder Cup’s Future Hanging In The Balance Amid Saudi Disruption

An unexpected change could be coming to the Ryder Cup.

ESPN, Tiger-Rory Golf League Close To Long-Term Deal

New entity backed by Woods, McIlroy nears critical agreement

Endeavor, Fenway Sports Could Offer Competition to PGA Tour’s Saudi Deal

U.S. investors are reportedly wanting to get involved with the Tour.
Patrick Reed

Judge Dismisses Both of Patrick Reed’s Defamation Cases

A federal judge dismissed both of Patrick Reed’s defamation cases.
podcast thumbnail mobile
Front Office Sports Today

Donovan McNabb and the State of Football

0:00
0:00

Featured Today

College football is taking over Saturday night.

How College Football’s Biggest Games Took Over Saturday Night

Network competition and West Coast storylines helped college football stage a coup.
September 29, 2023

Colorado Has Become the Hollywood of College Football. This Weekend Proves It.

Folsom Field will welcome dozens of Hollywood stars on Saturday.
Toy Story
September 29, 2023

‘Toy Story’ Success Could Lead to More Disney-Branded NFL Kid-Casts

A successful ‘Toy Story’ game could open the door for other franchises.
Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce on field after the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 29, 2023

Taylor Swift Shaking Up Travis Kelce, Chiefs Prop Betting Market

Sportsbooks are capitalizing with Taylor Swift-themed prop bets.

Careers

Powered By

Careers in Sports

Looking for a new job? Check out these featured listings and search for openings all over the world.
Chicago Cubs
Chicago
Fanatics
New York
Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, Inc.
USA - Multiple Locations

Ryder Cup Expects Record Revenue, But Not Profit

The Ryder Cup is being played in Rome this weekend.
Stacy Lewis tees off on the seventeenth hole during the first round of the CPKC Women's Open golf tournament at Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club.
September 22, 2023

In Ryder Cup’s Shadow, Solheim Cup Captain Laments ‘Missed Opportunity’

U.S. captain Stacy Lewis criticized the lack of cross-promotion and marketing.
LIV Golf flag pin
September 21, 2023

Saudi Prince Dismisses Sportswashing Claims Post Newcastle, LIV Golf

Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is bullish on sports.
Spain women's national soccer team players celebrate with the World Cup trophy after their victory in the 2023 Women's World Cup.
September 20, 2023

Spain Women’s Soccer Players Agree to End National Team Boycott

The RFEF will make “immediate and profound” changes to its structure.
Spain's women's national soccer team says it will not play matches until federation president Rubiales is removed.
September 19, 2023

Fallout Deepens From Spanish Soccer Scandal

Unrest continues among WWC champion national team
Jerry Jones invited FIFA'a Gianni Infantino to Sunday's Cowboys-Jets game at AT&T Stadium as the venue vies for the 2026 World Cup Final.
September 18, 2023

Jerry Jones Courts FIFA President, Eyes World Cup Final at AT&T Stadium

Gianni Infantino visited AT&T Stadium, fueling 2026 World Cup Final speculation.
Players from Spain’s World Cup-winning team confirming their plans to miss upcoming national team matches.
September 15, 2023

Spain's Women's World Cup Winners Continue Boycott Amid Leadership Turmoil

Players will miss upcoming national team matches.
The IOC is expected to vote Friday on cricket's Olympic future.
September 5, 2023

IOC Reportedly Will Make Cricket a New Olympic Sport

Olympic cricket appears likely to debut at LA 2028.