Posted on 12/08/2023 3:31:26 AM PST by period end of story
The press conference began like many LIV Golf press conferences, with a moderator issuing an introduction. But this wasn’t any LIV presser — this was a Zoom call. Just a bunch of faces and names in little neat boxes. About one minute in, one of those boxes flipped from a blank screen to show the face of Jon Rahm, the No. 3 player in the world, wearing a black LIV Golf letterman jacke
Did the PGA tour make the rise of LIV inevitable by their actions, policies, practices? What were the main grievances that led to players jumping over to LIV?
Main grievance: small prize purses.
PGA increased the Major purses last year.
Players jumping to LIV got mega millions,
thus assuring they get plenty of cash.
Rahm gets upwards of $300 million over several years.
Can’t wait to see Chamblee’s head explode on Golf Central.
It’s very simple: $300 million. How can you turn that down for yourself and your family?!
And that's regardless of how they perform in competition.
And don’t forget how the PGA basically stole the Memorial Tournament from Rahm because stupid covid rules.
I don’t think he forgave them for that.
Idiots on Golf Channel going bonkers over Rahm going to LIV.
Reasons vary, but ultimately is was the PGA's inflexibility. Of course the main reason is money, and lots of it. 2nd, more global tournaments and the non American players love that. 3rd, they like the team stuff, 54 hole tourneys, relaxed attire and atmosphere. The younger players eat up change, the stodgy inflexible PGA slit its own throat, especially around purses and unwillingness to allow golfers to cash in. When golfers ranked in the top 20 in the world only make 20-100 million, that won't last.
PGA headquarters used to be 5 miles from my house. The upper echelon live charmed lives. They live in multi-million dollar homes, travel the world in private jets, live and play at the world’s best golf courses and country clubs. Eat and drink like kings. Hob-nob with the richest and most accomplished people in the world, celebrities, too.
Texas came to town and offered a glittery new headquarters on brand new golf courses worth at least 100 mill. They left Florida without blinking an eye as they received personal payouts, maybe even free or below market rate mansions. Yes, they brought it upon themselves. They were ripe for taking due to their personal greed.
Money is ruining sports. It especially ruined college football.
“It’s very simple: $300 million. How can you turn that down for yourself and your family?!”
Exactly. Simple as that.
It is turning colleges into minor leagues focused on sports rather than academics.
Bingo. LIV caused the PGA to have:
Elevated tournaments - larger purses; no cuts
Guaranteed money
For the 2022-23 season, all fully exempt tour players who compete in 15 tournaments will be guaranteed to earn $500,000 through the creation of the Earnings Assurance Program.
So much for the PGA keep claiming these guys are independent contractors.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see Rory go to LIV...
Quote: “ Wouldn’t be surprised to see Rory go to LIV...”
Pretty sure that loudmouth has backed himself into a corner. At first he laughed at LIV as being a “home for has beens.” Then he kept taking swipes at Norman and the players.
I guess I missed something. Didn’t the PGA and LIV merge?
What, did the deal fall through?
Corruption follows money as night follows day. The larger the sums involved the greater the amount of corruption. Most things change with time, but human nature never does.
Universities have always been focused on sports and big money always went to the top players
In the 70’s, a major football running back at West Texas State drove by my house in a brand new green Road Runner
Went on to a fabulous pro career
How did this athlete come to go to West Texas State?
We all knew the boosters paid him to come, that’s how it works
Any player NOT securing his future financially is FOOLISH.
Rahm isn’t guaranteed health and prize money. This move secures his family finances for GENERATIONS.
If he sustains a career ending injury he is covered.
If he is diagnosed with a life threatening illness he is covered.
SMART move.
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