Is he interested? He said that it came down to that evil word, money. It appears that the back-to-back weekends of competition, which is uncommon in the LIV Golf circuit, may have benefitted Gooch, who was on fire through the first two rounds of last weeks event in Australia by firing back-to-back -10 rounds of 62. Elliott Heath puts the sneaker-style GrandPro AM shoes from Cole Haan to the test, By Elliott Heath I think they do things the right way. Dont they realize the PR risk far outweighs the payday? James grew up on the east coast of England and is the third generation of his golfing family. Is he interested? His favourite films are The Legend of Bagger Vance and Tin Cup. The Saudi International may draw glances at present but it is not really a big problem for golf's ecosystem. As an amateur golfer and writer, Michael loves playing the game and sharing his knowledge of what has made him such a great player in a short period of time. Dustin Johnson's bid for a third victory at the Saudi International began with . Im just out here trying to play the best I can. My own views on the Saudi thing remain unchanged. It appeared Watson would be the surprise winner on Sunday, the two-time Masters champion playing a flawless round after starting the day six back of Varner. In explaining his involvement, he said the PGA Tour's "obnoxious greed" had "opened the . One source close to the tours said that it was heading towards inevitable legal cases. Appearance fees for the recent Saudi International, above, totalled around $15m. And, without fail, the first comment is along the lines of, Why would he possibly participate?. The World Golf Hall of Famer who has won 44 PGA Tour titles is skipping the Phoenix event for the first time in 30 years to take appearance fee money from the Saudi Arabia government-backed . You know, depending what your goals are in golf, I think the schedule is very appealing. Is he interested? It clashes with the only mixed-sex tournament on the DP World Tour schedule in Sweden and releases are unlikely to be given again. Johnson has won the AT&T Pro-Am twice and played every year of his career except 2021, when he withdrew two days beforehand, shortly after his victory in Saudi Arabia. His answer is gold, 2023 Mexico Open money: Total purse, payout breakdown, winners share, How to watch the 2023 Mexico Open on Sunday: Round 4 live coverage, 2023 Mexico Open at Vidanta: How to watch, TV schedule, streaming, tee times, Meet the new GOLF Top 100 Teachers of America, These floral golf shoes are gorgeous *and* packed with performance features. It remains to be seen whether the top golfers, especially those under the age of 40, are willing to test that assertion. Sergio Garcia, who will be playing in Saudi Arabia next week, agrees that the Tours should not try to scare players off. Is he interested? However, there is one item that grabs players attention, and thats the safety of themselves and their families. Were trying to achieve things, not only for myself but for my family. I do. We would not have the increase in The Players Championship to $US20 million ($28m) if it wasnt for this threat., The Saudis will scarcely be content with thinking their efforts have simply made the PGA Tour stronger, but Mickelson wants more. Appearance fees for the recent Saudi International, above, totalled around $15m. Why? In this review we give our verdict whether you should trust the Motocaddy Flightsafe travel cover to get your clubs safely from A to B, Carly Frost considers the simple ways in which golf clubs can be more female-friendly. At the same time, they have to understand all of us too. That players are given the finest accommodations, and their wives are pampered like princesses, doesnt hurt. I understand why some fans are upset. Yes, playing for a regime with human-rights issues is not a good look, especially after the murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. It will be good. Talor Gooch became the first LIV Golf player to win back-to-back tournaments this weekend after a playoff win over Sergio Garcia, wrapping up the Asian-Pacific leg with two victories and millions in winnings. Berger doesnt like to play many international tournaments his last overseas event, other than the Open, was the Scottish Open in 2015 so it seems hed like to continue his career stateside. Paul Casey did something similar. He added: One thing I would worry about is if guys go to Saudi and they are going to make ten per cent of their yearly income just by going and playing, then restricting them from doing that. Greg Norman says more players want to join LIV golf and its up to the PGA Tour to end hostilities. Lots of countries block what you can pull up on your computer. While many players controversially received lucrative appearance fees to compete in the Asian Tour event, the actually prize money payout for the tournament was $5 million, with Varner earning a first-place prize of $1 million. At the time, the PGA Tour confirmed that releases would not be granted for tournaments that arent co-sanctioned. They can earn more releases by satisfying some other requirements. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Morikawa made comments in early 2022 pertaining to growing the game, a popular talking point for the Saudi League, and it seemed as though he could have some interest in the breakaway league. What hes said: Im not a politician. He carded a 3-over 73 in the opening round of the Asian Tour . All rights reserved. Influencing her writing style is an extensive career writing for NFP charities, sporting organisations, and the NSW Parliament. February 3, 2022 at 9:52 AM. He assists on all things instruction and covers amateur and womens golf. Johnson initially called the proposed league a really good concept, and did not make any public comments rebuking the league. There may be no more polarizing topics in golf these days than those surrounding rumors of the controversial Saudi-backed super league. Niemann falls in the latter. Koepka played the Saudi International for the first two iterations of the event, but then in early 2020 and, more recently, in 2020 he expressed he is not interested in a super league, saying the Tour does things the right way., What hes said: I, for one, have not signed an NDA, nor have I talked to anybody who would offer me an NDA. Certain places have a fair amount of appearance money and it can in turn go to the players head.. Bath It is the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Saudi Arabia . He also said that the team element of a super league appealed to him. What hes said: I dont know where things are headed, but I know I will be criticized Thats not my concern. When Sorour, the chief executive of Golf Saudi, whistles there are precious few golfers unwilling to trundle along in line. A week of beers and cheers in Adelaide is being hailed as turning point for Saudi-backed LIV Golf, yet significant questions remain over the rebel tour, writes RICK BROADBENT. . Koepka would ultimately hit the fairway with his second shot and two-putt to make par. Everyone goes over there, kind of leaves me with no choice, but I would like to play the PGA.. I am fully committed to the PGA Tour.. Boxing and WWEs relationship with Saudi Arabia means golf isnt regarded as an isolated case. From a lifestyle side of things, yes.. The concept has been pitched for more than seven years but no player has yet signed on. As a number of the world's top golfers prepared for the 34th staging of this event, all discussion surrounded the Saudi International. What hes said: I dont really want to say anything, any comment about it. It is slightly more difficult for a player like Jon Rahm, that needs to play 4 times in Europe to be Ryder Cup eligible. The Saudi International, currently titled as the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers for sponsorship reasons, is a professional golf tournament that is held at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabias golf manoeuvres were the key theme for discussion among decision makers in the sport even before United States intelligence services issued a report that stated the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, ordered the murder of the journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Woods has not said much about the proposed super league, but he has turned down some serious cash to play in Saudi Arabia. The money is reported to start at $2 million and escalate up to $10 million. Quite apart from the no-doubt seven-figure appearance fees that have somehow convinced the Masters champion to visit Saudi Arabia on three lucrative occasions, Dustin . Those of us afforded more cynical disposition can point towards the safe, controversy-free domain that golf provides for anybody seeking a reputational uplift. In McIlroy, now the chairman of the PGA Tours player advisory council, the status quo has a key ally. https://golfweek.usatoday.com/2021/10/22/golfweek-exclusive-eight-pga-tour-players-ask-permission-saudi-international/, Mexico, Caribbean, Atlantic islands, Central America, Top 50 Classic Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, Top 50 Modern Courses in Great Britain & Ireland, previously said that it would deny waivers, Lynch: Phil Mickelsons latest swipe at USGA more about grandstanding than the future of golf. To recap: Saudi Arabia wants a Super Golf League and has spent months trying to tempt 48 players to join a competition that will have individual and team elements and be staged around the world. Join the conversation, you are commenting as. So I think the best course of action for the main tours is to concentrate on what you're doing and doing it to the best of your ability.. Nonetheless, Saudi Arabia should be assessed differently in specific relation to golf because of the rising scale of the attachment. Punishing them could create resentment for the players and that creates a problem between the tours. And to deny that would be, you know, maybe not true I think its a complicated thing and I dont think theres an easy answer. Rumors are flying that he ditched the WGC-Bridgestone this year to play in the Open De France. Like everyone else, were sworn to secrecy. That language makes it sound as though the former Masters champ has signed an NDA. Next week's event will offer $15m in appearance fees. Heres how it works. The 2021 Fed-Ex Cup champion said, I think it's a complicated thing and I don't think there's an easy answer. I think any business needs competition for things to progress and move on. It would be so naive to not factor in all of the complexities. I think it's tempting for everybody. Spieth, like his buddy Justin Thomas, remains committed to the PGA Tour (hes playing Pebble Beach this week), but his comments make it clear he also wants to see some changes. Greg Norman appears to be the face of the organization, LIV Golf Investments, behind the would-be league, and the group has been pouring cash into the Asian Tour as part their push on to the global golf stage. that lower-profile players invited to compete in King Abdullah Economic City have been offered appearance. Patrick Cantlay, the world No.4 who is playing at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am in California this week, said: I wouldnt be surprised if peoples tune changed quick if the best players, or a majority of them, want to play elsewhere.. All rights reserved. Some of these players have sponsor commitments to play additional tournaments as well, which could make for a grind it out type of season. Gooch won the LIV Singapore tournament with a score of -17, but Spaniard Sergio Garcia matched that score, and the two went into the second playoff in the history of the controversial tour. According to ESPN, Woods turned down an appearance fee in the neighborhood of $3 million to play in the event in 2019. Nonetheless, evidence of several other abductions, attempted abductions and death threats aimed at Prince Mohammeds critics has emerged since Khashoggi died. As a result, we can get a sense for where they stand on the Super League-in-the-making. Tiger Woods Downswing Rehearsal: What Exactly is he Doing? Whilst present at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am this week, Cantlay refused to provide a definitive answer as to where his commitments sit. Likewise, the willingness with which golf turns a collective blind eye to matters of ethics when tournaments are hosted in the United Arab Emirates or China muddies the narrative. TRAVEL: Giants Ridge (MN) Should Be On Your Golf Trip Short-List! Andy. Is he interested? Top 100 Courses in the U.S.: GOLFs all-new 2022-23 ranking is here! How to Hit the Draw Shot: Golfs Secret Weapon for Mastering Difficult Courses. He addressed players at last years Wells Fargo Championship and told them that anyone defecting to a Saudi super league would face an immediate ban. Speaking ahead of the tournament and about the events on the other side of the world, Cantlay said that the chance to pick up a huge appearance fee for playing in the Saudi International was "very tempting" but he ultimately wasn't swayed. His press conference at the Genesis Invitational tells it all. Derek Jeter Comes Clean, According to Players Poll: Dont Make Ernie Angry. Is he interested? I just dont want to say anything.. Ive put a lot of mileage in my body. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. If this entire scenario doesnt make golf and its players feel deeply uncomfortable, it should do. 1 Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, have publicly rejected Saudi overtures. t is no mean feat to be instantly recognised by the worlds leading golfers. McIlroy pointed out that some players could earn about a tenth of their annual income just by teeing it up in Saudi, and it was hard to begrudge them that opportunity. Among those who have been paid to play are Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka. But they could be agitated anytime we leave the country. If you were Tiger Woods, youd probably do it too. Tiger Woods holds the Tour's all-time mark for consecutive cuts made with 142. ", Cantlay certainly seemed intrigued as to what a Saudi league might have to offer. Fans at the party hole in Adelaide had waited all week for a hole-in-one and when it happened they went berserk. When it comes to the Saudi Arabia-backed golf league, . Yes in 2022. Yes in 2021. Yes in 2020, 2021, 2022. The 2022 Saudi International final leaderboard is headed by winner Harold Varner III, who earned the Asian Tour win at Royal Greens Golf and Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City,. And this is just the start of it, he said about Gooch. This past weekend in Singapore, Koepka finished in 3rd, just one back of winner Talor Gooch, who beat Sergio Garcia in a playoff. Mickelson, 51, is competing in this week's Saudi International, where lucrative appearance fees are paid. First lets talk about Bubba Watson since this story istrending in the news lately. Camilla Lennarth of Sweden and Sergio Garca of Spain have their picture taken by Majed al-Sorour, the chairman of Saudi Golf. With a Graduate Diploma in Sports Management (UTS) and a Bachelor of International Studies (UNSW), Tillys writing pursuits extend beyond just the game, exploring the stories behind the athletes and their connection to the world around them. Rory McIlroy says he would never punish anyone for picking up a massive cheque just for playing in Saudi Arabia, even though he remains adamant he would never sign up if their Super League plans were to become a reality. Saudi Golf League Announcement Coming the Week of THE PLAYERS, WATCH: Is This A Double Or Triple Bogey? But I'm really glad that I'm here this week and I love Pebble Beach and so that definitely factored into my decision.". But at this point, I dont like what theyre proposing.. And it is the Tours obnoxious greed that has really opened the door for opportunities elsewhere.. But lets ignore Watson for a second and talk about Tiger Woods, the king of overseas appearances. Join InsideGOLF for only $20 - includes instant $20 Fairway Jockey credit! "I think with the amount of money they're talking about it's always very tempting. The Saudi golf span reaches far from Riyadh. Varner then made a birdie on the par-4 17th before rolling in a 92-foot eagle putt from just off the green to wildly pull out the win with a final-round one-under 69 and a 13-under 267 total. In most cases its more than what the winner earns, which makes me think,how cool would it be to both appear and win? Joe Bidens promise to recalibrate relations between the US and Saudi Arabia raises interesting questions about the future approach of Mickelson, Johnson et al. The 2022 Saudi International has a prize money purse of $5 million. Koepka wouldnt be found guilty of any infraction, and he went on to finish T-2 at -8. You cant find a player near the top of the world rankings that has supported the AT&T Pebble Beach tournament more than Dustin has, he said. Is he interested? To join the conversation, please Interestingly enough, TOUR players are allowedthree conflicting event releases per season which are typically used to go play overseas. Is he interested? If golf can help build some bridges to that endgame, why not make these visits, right? Its different and golf does need different, Westwood said. The U.S. Open Championship is one of the toughest tests of golf, not only physically but mentally as well. When announcing details of the International Series on Tuesday, Greg Norman, the man fronting Saudi Arabias golf project, promised: There will be another announcement and then there will be another announcement. He also said when we go to the USA. In July, Golfweek reported that the PGA and European tours planned to deny permission to members who wanted to compete in Saudi Arabia. The Tour previously said that it would deny waivers for its members to take part in the controversial event. Has he played in Saudi Arabia? The Daily Mail also reported that DeChambeau was offered over 100M (~$114M) to be the face of the league. Has he played in Saudi Arabia? And so that was frustrating and tough.. Seth Waugh, president of the PGA of America, added that rebels would be banned from playing in the US PGA Championship, one of golfs four majors, and the Ryder Cup. You have so many events, you have to travel here. Golf Podcast 473: Golf Ball Rollback: What You Need to Know About Bifurcation. This week, Patrick Cantlay will tee it up at what Johnny Miller described as the greatest meeting between land and see Pebble Beach Golf Links. After squandering his 54-hole lead with a double bogey on the 14th hole and bogey on the 16th, Varner was two shots back of Bubba Watson with two holes to play at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club. It seems that after three-plus decades on Tour, hes open to the possibility of teeing it up elsewhere. Especially since were not paying for the plane ticket. Ive been a member of the European Tour for 23 years, and Ive supported the PGA Tour for almost as long. 1, How Tasmanians fared at Australian Junior Champs. Mickelson went scorched-earth on the PGA Tour as he aired his grievances to Golf Digest in an exclusive interview in early February. Is he interested? Masters champion Jon Rahm on tears, trying to match his idol Seve Ballesteros records and why the Augusta win was no surprise. 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