Is the LIV Golf talent no longer under the spotlight?
By Sean McCann
It’s evident that one of the advantages offered by the newly formed LIV Golf Tour was their lack of events. With a lack of events comes less time spent on golf and more time spent with friends and family.
Even with fewer events than the PGA Tour, the purses for each event were much larger, meaning these players with LIV Golf can play fewer events and potentially earn way more money.
The only problem with playing fewer events though is simple; your prominence in the sport can diminish quickly.
We know that LIV Golf has adopted a team-style format: 12 teams of 4 players, each playing their own ball over the course of 3 rounds. The team with the lowest overall score comes away victorious. This in addition to the individual winner with the lowest score.
However, with fewer events comes fewer winners, and unless you win, your performance may fall between the cracks and go unnoticed.
The winners thus far on LIV Golf have not exactly been household names.
London: Charles Schwartzel (-7)
Portland: Branden Grace (-13)
Bedminster: Henrik Stenson (-11)
No wins yet from Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, or Brooks Koepka, just to name a few.
Some of the top golfers in the world joined this rival tour looking directly at a big payday, but now they appear to be fading from the spotlight in comparison to the Jay Monahan-led PGA Tour superstars.
As of this week, American Dustin Johnson has slipped outside of the top 20 in the Official World Golf Rankings, now sitting at 21st.
While preparing for LIV Golf’s next event, beginning September 2nd in Boston, many from LIV Golf are struggling to remain in game shape while banned by the PGA Tour, and others.
Patrick Reed decided to enter two tournaments on the Asian Tour, including the International Series-Singapore. Playing against, let’s say, less skilled individuals than he may be accustomed to playing against on the PGA Tour or LIV Golf series, many assumed the American would run away with this event.
Well, that didn’t happen.
Even with making a hole-in-one during the final round, Reed still finished T-31st in the event, a disappointing finish to the week. Nitithorn Thippong was the eventual winner, his second of the season on the Asian Tour.
Could it be that the lack of events and competitive action is starting to affect many on the LIV Golf series? Could the general lack of a competitive environment rub off on these players, creating less dramatic and outstanding golf?
Signs are certainly there. While golfers like Johnson and Reed fade out of the spotlight, the PGA Tour is watching its new stars rise, especially rookies, Sahith Theegala and Cameron Young.
Next. Rory and Justin Say PGA Tour Players Meeting Was Important First Step. dark
It will be interesting to see as the months go on if any golfers begin to regret their decision to defect. Just look at what Talor Gooch recently had to say about his indefinite suspension from the PGA Tour.
"“Historically the Tour has not done that (suspend players). So based on the history, that was my expectations.”"