He follows him in golf: a The Players without the best, an impossible agreement and the Spanish cataclysm

Updated Wednesday, March 13, 2024 – 18:44

It took 27 years and a cataclysm in world golf for The Players, the tournament that distributes the most prizes, to not have a single Spaniard. This Thursday the so-called ‘big fifth’ starts with the notable absences of Jon Rahmnumber three in the world, and Sergio Garca, winner of the tournament in 2008. After having chosen Saudi money, the two Spaniards will have to watch the competition on television.

The Players Championship, the flagship tournament of the PGA Tour, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year in the most rarefied atmosphere in the history of golf. There is no news about the possible agreement between the American circuit and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), time is running out and nervousness is accelerating. Golf continues without direction and the fans are tired of not being able to see the best players in the world compete together outside of the four majors, where only the most privileged LIV Golf players – former winners of majors or the few who maintain the ranking – They have room. In fact, a few days ago, Augusta National issued an emergency invitation to Joaco Niemann, the Chilean who, despite having three wins in recent months and being in excellent shape, is number 80 in the world ranking. A nonsense.

The situation becomes more painful for Spanish golf if one looks back. Since 1997 there has always been at least one Spaniard fighting in The Players Championship, with memorable moments

From the hole in one Miguel Angel Jimnez on the legendary green island of the 17th hole in 2002 to the albatross of Rafa Cabrera Bello on the par five 16th hole in the 2017 edition, the first in history on this hole. Although above all there is the greatest feat in the history of golf in the country: the victory that Sergio García signed in 2008. Rahm’s story is not yet written in this tournament and for now it will have to wait.

The impossible agreement

Given the increasingly existing rumors about the negotiation between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia, Jay Monahan, commissioner of the American circuit, has had to speak and calm things down. “I recently met with the governor of the PIF, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, and our negotiations are accelerating. While we still have several key issues to resolve, we share a vision of quieting the noise and unlocking golf’s global potential. “It’s going to take time, but I reiterate what I said at the Tour Championship in August: I see a happy ending for the PGA TOUR and for golf as a whole.”

The translation of his words means that both parties know that the agreement is mandatory, but no one wants to give ground yet. The LIV lacks what the PGA Tour possesses; tradition, seriousness, an impeccable level organization, in addition to the media impact. The Saudi circuit, on the other hand, has more money and, therefore, some of the best players on the roster. “I believe that negotiating an agreement with the PIF is the best path. Obviously it has to be the right agreement for both parties, as in any situation or negotiation. I take the responsibility of reaching an agreement very seriously and, as a board of directors and “As an organization, we are committed to trying to get to a point where there is unification,” Monahan concluded.

Meanwhile, eyes this week at Sawgrass, home of The Players, are focused on Scottie Scheffler, number one in the world and winner last week. It is one of the remaining attractions of the PGA Tour. The average world ranking of winners this year on the Yankee circuit is 523rd place. It is a somewhat misleading statistic because the amateur Nick Dunlapnumber 4,129 in the world, won a tournament, but winners like Chris Kirk, Jake Kapp, Austin Ekcroat, Mathieu Pavon o Grayson Murray They are not among the best in the sport.

Scheffler, who came to the rescue winning at Bay Hill, is this week the main favorite along with Rory McIIroy. Both will be in the fight for the check of 4.5 million dollars of the 25 that this tournament distributes in total.

2024-03-13 17:44:17
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