Is the LIV Golf series good for golf? That is the question begging for an answer right this minute.
But before proceeding, what is the LIV Golf series all about? It is the newest global golf tournament open only for male golfers.
Why is it drawing mixed reactions worldwide from keen followers of the game? The PGA (Professional Golfers Association) of the United States was the first to react in a rather confrontational manner.
Just as quickly as when the LIV Golf’s birth was announced, PGA Tour officials immediately expressed displeasure.
It was but a natural reaction as the new league directly challenges the PGA leadership. LIV Golf will definitely dent PGA’S stature as the world’s most established golf circuit.
Almost immediately, the LIV Golf attracted big-name players like six-time major champion Phil Mickelson, Grand Slam winners Dustin Johnson and Sergio Garcia. Only very recently, Masters champion Patrick Reed and long-hitting Bryson DeChambeau joined the mutiny.
Living legend Greg Norman guided Saudi Arabia’s leaders in putting up LIV Golf, which has initially poured in nearly $300 million in prizes and appearance fees for star players.
Mickelson was reportedly given $200 million to join the new loop. Johnson’s signing fee of $150 million is more than the all-time tournament earnings of $120 million of Tiger Woods. Unverified reports said Woods refused a $300 million bonus to enlist at LIV Golf.
Saudi’s cash windfall to lure players out of the PGA Tour comes from the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) also known as the Sovereign Wealth Fund.
The PIF, established in the ’70s for the benefit of the government and Saudi citizens and now totals more than $402 billion, comes from budget surpluses, trade surpluses and revenues from the export of natural resources.
So mind-blowing is Saudi’s spending binge that the winner of each of the eight legs calendared in its inaugural tournament gets $4 million. And look, LIV Golf, played only 54 holes, has no cut-off. The last-placer pockets $250,000!
PGA officials have expelled Mickelson & Co. from the Tour.
So what?
Mickelson and the mutineers can only rejoice.