joestevens29
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- Apr 30, 2009
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I wouldn't want to golf there. I'd probably end up losing every ball in my bag and breaking every club I own.
Pgat Tgl Liv 2025 Season
- Thread starter OfCorsiDid
- Start date
SupremeTeam16
5-14-6-1
Lots of talk these days that the LIV/PGA merger could be dead in the water. Sounds like both sides can’t see eye to eye on any way both tours could work and the PGA side might be feeling like they have a stronger negotiating position then they did a year ago while LIV has been exploring other options to try and put pressure on getting a deal done to their liking.
By the sounds of things the PGA might not be as keen on a merger and feel with many LIV contracts expiring over the next few years, they could poach some guys back. Of course not everyone would be happy about it but the feeling is bringing guys like Bryson back into the fold will build on the momentum the tour has experienced as well as deal a big blow to LIV.
By the sounds of things the PGA might not be as keen on a merger and feel with many LIV contracts expiring over the next few years, they could poach some guys back. Of course not everyone would be happy about it but the feeling is bringing guys like Bryson back into the fold will build on the momentum the tour has experienced as well as deal a big blow to LIV.
A year ago I thought the Tour was in a tough position, but at this point I agree that they have leverage and shouldn't make compromises they don't want to. Reading between the lines I think that things like 4 rounds, shotgun, and shorts are sticking points, and I don't think the PGA should ever flex on any of these points. Doesn't help the LIV side that there is all kinds of smoke that Koepka and Rahm hate it and are miserable. At this point I think that anyone with cache that might have gone would have gone, and any further jumpers might be business related because their game has cratered (ie. Hovland).
At some point LIV is going to have to realize that the average/casual golf fan is pretty much only watching the majors, where the LIV stars are anyways. The people watching week to week are legitimate golf fans, and short of a good LIV venue running up against a weak PGA tourney like the John Deere, very few are going to choose LIV over the PGA. LIV is a lesser product that feels clownish, and the shotgun is atrocious to follow and watch.
I think that a LIV/PGA combo could work and could work really well. This is my dream outcome:
- LIV players that had tour cards before they jumped get their cards back
- LIV team captains retain equity stakes in their LIV franchises - they keep this even if they don't play on their teams at some point in the future
- PGA Tour functions largely under the current structure - signature events, lesser events, effectively play in events in the wrap around season.
- 6-8 times per year the Tour pauses for a LIV team event - the LIV teams function like normal sports teams. Captains, GMs, etc. Players are signed to contracts, are legitimately traded (not the pretend nonsense LIV does now). There is some form of integration of LIV player results on Tour into the LIV tournaments. Tournaments are at top end venues and the atmosphere is more like a major than a back country rodeo like it is now. The teams actually mean something with legitimate fans and followers. These tournaments would organically be the elite of the elite due to the flexibility to sign/move players from the Tour. This would be by far the best way to monetize LIV, build real equity in LIV, and legitimize LIV.
Sadly, I don't think it's possible to get to a place like this.
Last edited:
joestevens29
Registered User
- Apr 30, 2009
- 52,493
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I feel guys from LIV going back to the PGA would be great for the PGA.
The PGA is an individual sport, but doesn't have all that much for rivalry between players. Bringing some guys in from LIV could bring some interesting storylines. Although who knows if the PGA actually wants storylines.
SupremeTeam16
5-14-6-1
I think the biggest issue with the two tours is always going to be scheduling. As for teams, I like the idea but Im not sure if they would be able to make it work from a traditional sport team format. That said, I think the PGA has seen team events like the Presidents and Ryder cups really grow in popularity so I’m sure there’s some sort of team play format they could be interested in adding more of and trying to create more rivalries. The other thing is I think they’d like to grow more globally, trim the US event lists and start adding some high profile, big money international tournaments in some really cool locations. Really that’s the only way I envision the two tours working, having a “LIV swing” portion of the season where pga players go compete in LIV events in international locations.
When I have some time I’ll try and find it, but 4/5 years ago the NLU podcast interviewed the creator of a team golf league that was effectively an ethical, non Saudi backed league that was LIV before LIV basically hijacked his concept.
It was a very interesting interview where he describes how his vision would work and how it would interact with the PGA. Before I listened I perceived the concept as silly, after I listened I changed my mind and thought the concept was very cool. His playing format and team structure was basically 100% LIV, with the key differences being he wanted it to enhance the tour not compete with the tour, no up front giant sums of money, and the teams would be independently owned, managed, and financed by big money sports investors.
He said he basically begged Jay Monahan for meetings and had significant private investment capital promised. Wonder how things might be different had Jay just taken the meeting.
