Crossfire at St. Andrews: “What some players do is incomprehensible”

The upsurge in the war between the new Saudi circuit, which could be played in Valderrama next year, and the old structures of this sport clouds the preview of the British Open, which is celebrating its 150th anniversary. Even the Ryder Cup is in danger

• Golf Jon Rahm’s love for the British: “There is nothing comparable to this”

In the prelude to the most important golf event of the last decade, the spotlights will not be on the 150th edition of the British Open or in the new return of Tiger Woods to the mythical field of St. Andrews. The war in world golf focuses attention on its bloodiest moment since hostilities began on May 11. The LIV Golf (the new circuit supported by Saudi funds) continues to consolidate itself based on multi-million dollar checks and pampered attention to each of its stars, while the PGA Tour seeks to close ranks with the main entities that govern this sport and thus curb the threat.

Power vs. money. Or vice versa. An unpredictable battle that could take some unsuspecting victims, like the Ryder Cup. Right now, it would be a competition without Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed o Bryson DeChambeau on the American side, or without Sergio Garcia or Ian Poulter on the European side. Rumors suggest that Henrik Stenson he could be one of the next to sign with the Saudis, leaving Europe without a captain. The risk of the deterioration of the most prestigious golf tournament has meant that even Rory McIlroy would clarify its most extreme position of defense of the PGA Tour and would appeal to dialogue.

The latest display of power has come with the veto Greg Norman, CEO of LIV Golf, who has not been invited to any of the celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the Open, despite accumulating two Jars of Claret in his windows. The Open 150 is an extremely important milestone for golf and we want to ensure that the focus remains on celebrating the championship and its heritage, says the statement explaining the decision. Phil Mickelsonvisible head of the LIV and winner of the 2013 British Open, reacted to the moment by informing the Royal & Ancien Club that they do not count on him either in the splendor of the historic commemoration that will take place between today and tomorrow.

There are no limits, it seems, for newcomers to the world of golf. In the last LIV tournament, played at Pumpkin Ridge Golf in Portland, the owners of the farm adjacent to the course, which was normally used as parking for other big events such as the US Women Open, refused to rent it to the organization. of the Saudi tournament. what did they do? They say that one of those responsible for the event directly bought the land for twice its value and the matter was solved.

THE JUDGE RULES IN FAVOR OF THE WAYWARD

At the moment, the only ally of LIV Golf is the Asian Circuit. Given the announced alliance between the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour (European circuit) until 2035, LIV Golf could be designing a plan together with the Asian Tour with a huge and millionaire project that would directly link the organizations and circuits to become a very popular alternative. It would be to the American and European circuit. The LIV’s headache right now is getting its tournaments to score for the world ranking. From the headquarters of Greg Norman they affirm to this newspaper: The new tour has to find its way. It is the decision after several frustrated attempts to sit down with Jay Monahan, head of the PGA Tour.

Meanwhile, a judge cautiously lifted the sanctions on the players punished for their participation in the LIV, who were released to play last week in Scotland, the first tournament in history co-organized by the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. so Keith PelleyCEO of the European circuit, rushed to call last Tuesday the rest of the sanctioned players (and who had not reported) to allow them to play in Scotland for fear of a possible subsequent lawsuit for damages.

To finish off all this mess, the European Tour decided to pair the LIV players and separate them from the rest. It is an uncomfortable and strange situation, the atmosphere is rarefied, says a player who prefers to remain anonymous. From the environment of another player they say that the European circuit radically changed its attitude and tone after its agreement with the PGA Tour even breaching contracts.

The LIV advances, that is the reality, and everything indicates that they will continue signing players since the first world top ten would be close to confirming their change of scenery. Looking ahead to 2023, Norman’s team is working on the conception of a powerful calendar around 15 tournaments with venues as prestigious as Trump Turnberry, the Real Club de Golf de Valderrama or a tournament that will be played in Mexico. This newspaper has been able to find out that the Cadiz field is in negotiations to be one of the European headquarters.

As almost nothing else is talked about in these previous days, yesterday was Tiger Woods the one that is positioned in a firm way. They asked him what he thought of the players who have already signed for the Saudi circuit. They have turned their backs on what has allowed them to get to where they are.. Some players have never even experienced the PGA tour and have gone directly from the amateur circuit to this organization without ever having the opportunity to experience what it is like to play on the tour or in the big tournaments. Some of these players are at risk of never being able to play a Major, of never playing at St Andrews, of ever experiencing the fairways of Augusta. That, to me, is incomprehensible.

Meanwhile, this Thursday begins the most anticipated golf tournament, perhaps the last one where LIV and non-LIV players can compete against each other.