A rundown on the split in golf:
In recent weeks a new challenger arose to face off against the PGA Tour. This new association is LIV Golf, a Saudi backed golf league. LIV Golf has grown a big following just after its inaugural event; however, there are also many who stand opposed to this movement. Those that disagree with the new league claim to stand with the American people and question the true morals of LIV Golf. Wherever you stand on the issue it is a complicated one involving golf's governing bodies, the players, and the fans.
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More specifically, LIV Golf is funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF). This fund is used to "better" conditions for their people and bring things of public interest to Saudi Arabia. Their PIF is supposedly valued at a whopping $600 Billion. In order to begin the repair of their reputation, The Saudis are using a technique called "sportswashing". Sportswashing is the idea that involvement in major sports leagues and associations can clear a nation's horrendous reputation. The Saudi government has already hosted WWE events and sponsored West Ham United; therefore, LIV Golf is just their next expenditure.
The United States has a complex relationship with Saudi Arabia. One of the biggest public relations problems Saudi Arabia has in the United States is their leadership role in the terrorist attacks of 9/11 that killed 2,996 Americans – the largest terrorist attack on US soil ever. This is a red line for some US golfers that they would never cross – no amount of money or other incentives would entice them to play in a Saudi backed league. This is also a red line for some US golf fans who will never watch LIV golf and who may choose to no longer support US golfers who play LIV golf.
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The golf fans who will still watch will notice, even though LIV Golf is a competitor to the PGA Tour they are both very different formats. As many well know the PGA Tour plays a 72-hole tournament with a cut after the first two rounds, leaving the top 70 golfers and ties to compete through the weekend. LIV Golf, on the other hand, has almost none of those aspects. It consists of a field of only 48 golfers, is only 54 holes, and there are no tee times, meaning that players start off of every hole at the same time. The tournaments are very different to watch, so even if golf fans have no moral objections, they may just not enjoy it.
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Among the players, a great divide is forming, and it means that in a sport where sportsmanship and respect are tradition, it remains to be seen if that continues. LIV Golf is headed by former PGA Tour player, Greg Norman. He has drawn a lot of attention for his controversial decision to govern this league, including criticism by Rory McIlroy. After his most recent win at the Canadian Open, McIlroy was asked what the win meant to him. He had a very simplistic answer, "One more than Norman!" No golfer is more opposed to LIV than Rory, and that showed after his win. Justin Thomas also posted a tweet dropping a hint at Rory's accomplishment of passing Norman. LIV Golf is causing a split in the golf world, and most of the blame can be placed on those that are playing for LIV.
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Who left and why they are wrong in doing so:
The Saudis are offering big money to all of those who are willing to come play on their tour. In fact, the London Invitational had a total purse of $25 Million, the most of any golf event ever. This type of money entices many to show interest, and in its inaugural event, seventeen former PGA players entered in the forty eight-person field. The list includes Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Graeme McDowell, Hudson Swafford, Kevin Na, Talor Gooch, Richard Bland, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Sam Horsfield and Louis Oosthuizen. Many players still had their primes ahead of them and they forfeited that by playing for LIV. All seventeen players have been suspended from the PGA Tour until otherwise reviewed.
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The players who played on LIV were wrong for multiple reasons. Firstly, they forfeited their future on the PGA Tour. Many of the players that left for LIV grew up with the dreams of playing on the PGA Tour, which they had the opportunity to do until leaving for this alternate league. The PGA Tour is also the premier league in golf, being able to claim the rises of greats such as Lee Elder, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, Ben Hogan, and Tiger Woods. Playing in LIV will stain reputation beyond repair, ensuring that many great accomplishments of those on LIV will be tainted.
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Secondly, the LIV Golf players place a higher priority in money than morals. Saudi Arabia has a history of horrific human rights violations and these players are almost affirming this history. A bystander is just as innocent as the bully, let alone somebody who encourages the bully. These players are encouraging the bully as any revenue from LIV Golf goes right back to the Saudis' government and the atrocities it commits.
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Lastly, the LIV golfers will be subject to much criticism. It is typical for any professional athlete to be criticized for questionable decisions; however, it will be much worse for the LIV golfers. Ian Poulter was already asked by one interviewer what he thought of playing a tournament in a Putin ruled Russia. After only one tournament many players morals are already being severely scrutinized. Phil Mickelson was also put under a lot of pressure during a press conference on June 13, 2022. The press seems willing to show no restraint in going after the LIV golfers.
In the split LIV Golf or the PGA Tour, there is only one right choice. The PGA Tour is clearly superior and offers many more chances for success on the stage of golf. The moral standards of all those golfers that left for LIV are just too low. Being enticed by money to join a league run by a nation with many human rights violations is absolutely unacceptable. Many kids look up to those golfers that left and their decision to leave will ruin the rest of their golf careers.
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