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Earlier this month I wrote a column, sparked by a number of emails from readers, asking a easy query: Is the battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf inflicting some individuals to lose curiosity in golf and switch off their tv units?
That piece was sufficient to trigger a flood of emails from followers, or former followers, of golf to echo what the primary few emailers had mentioned. The preventing, the defections for enormous cash and the cut up of prime gamers into two excursions have prompted them to rethink their love of the skilled recreation. And so they insist there’s loads of blame to go round.
In relaying a few of these feedback, two issues have to be made clear. First, a number of the language was softened a bit to make it extra palatable for print and even the web. Second, I’d be joyful to current the emails in help of the LIV Tour and what Greg Norman, Phil Mickelson and Jon Rahm are doing with that tour, however I actually didn’t obtain a single e mail praising LIV and its mission. Fairly the alternative, in actual fact, although the PGA Tour didn’t escape criticism, both.
Ruth is among the followers who not sees golf as an gratifying tv expertise.
“Over the previous few years, my TV has been hard-wired to Golf Channel as an escape from the information of our horrible politics,” she emailed. “Watching golf now simply provides to the stress, as a reminder of how tough our world has change into; it’s removed from the gratifying refuge it as soon as was.”
Wealthy from Virginia mentioned he’s stopped watching as a lot PGA Tour golf as a result of the professionals have confirmed to be petulant and grasping like athletes in different sports activities. However he additionally has a robust dislike for gamers who’ve jumped to LIV.
“It’s most of the others which have jumped to LIV that irk me probably the most – and are making me lose curiosity. Somebody as soon as mentioned a person is simply nearly as good as his phrase, and I firmly imagine that. That thought clearly renders DJ (Dustin Johnson), Rahm, and anybody else who swore allegiance to the PGA Tour solely to vary their thoughts when the cash outweighed their integrity, as not good males,” Wealthy wrote. “Rising the sport” is nothing greater than a BS script that they’re made to say, seemingly underneath authorized – and possibly bodily – risk.”
Eric is one other reader who laments the greed of the trendy participant. Whereas it is very important keep in mind that professionals are professionals as a result of they play for cash, Eric nonetheless sees issues with a lot cash as we speak.
“I do know the PGA Tour is in a tricky place however I do know I don’t actually care about LIV and by no means will. I additionally suppose cash doesn’t discuss, it screams….however all the highest gamers on each circuits appear to be solely involved with enriching themselves, the fallout be damned. For me, TV golf has change into far much less necessary now (and once I do watch it, I’ve it muted, however that’s a distinct gripe) and I’m positive all golf followers simply need all this BS to cease. It’s ruining it for everybody.”
Spitting at historical past?
Eric provides this little stab at Rahm.
“I say good riddance. When Rahm took the cash in spite of everything his earlier posturing about his fealty to the Tour, it felt like he was (spitting) on Arnold Palmer’s grave.”
There was loads of venom towards Rahm, the most recent golfer to leap to LIV lower than a 12 months after ripping that tour and its codecs. Rahm’s payday for going to LIV is alleged to be round $565 million, however emailer John shouldn’t be moved.
“I perceive the previous star has-beens desirous to restrict fields. However Rahm? Come on. Actually? 54-hole chum exhibits. I assumed he had extra grit than that. Main disappointment. Mickelson I get. He’s previous his prime and had a chip on his shoulder like Norman. Take $200 million to exploit his title. He wasn’t going to win on the (PGA) Tour anymore regardless of him saying he’s so shut.”
Some readers had been somewhat rougher on the LIV golfers.
“I for one won’t ever watch LIV golf. The gamers who go there, are in my view, nothing greater than prostitutes for the Saudi sheiks,” mentioned Kenneth of Palm Springs. “Because of this, I merely have stopped watching golf. I would watch the majors, however that’s it.”
Emailer Bernie used a phrase that many used regarding Rahm — hypocrite. However he added a number of frills.
“I’m all for anybody making all they’ll, however it’s tough to help individuals who already are making thousands and thousands who compromise their rules (my conclusion on what Rahm has accomplished) to go after the mega thousands and thousands,” Bernie mentioned.
Earlier than you suppose the readers are holding a PGA Tour love-in, keep in mind feedback like this from Brent.
“The PGA Tour Commissioner ought to have been fired way back. His technique was horrendous. There isn’t any approach you try to compete with a competitor that has limitless assets,” Brent mentioned. He later added, “The PGA Tour Commissioner’s enterprise technique since day 1 concerning LIV has unquestionably broken the sport of golf.”
“Is the PGA run by anybody who understands defend their enterprise from assault? NO,” mentioned emailer Nicholas. “The actual fact the PGA didn’t get the majors to help a ban of LIV will result in the extinction of the PGA Tour. Individuals will look again and marvel how the PGA Tour let it occur. Morons – all of them.”
There have been a number of different responses, however the highlights of these emails had been like these introduced right here. The PGA Tour has screwed up this battle, the LIV Tour is irrelevant to many readers and the fatigue from the name-calling and preventing is forcing some followers away from the skilled recreation.
Larry Bohannan is the golf author for The Palm Springs Desert Solar, a part of the USA At present Community. You possibly can contact him at larry.bohannan@desertsun.com. Comply with him on Fb or on Twitter at @larry_bohannan.
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