liv tour spieler ryder cup

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Are LIV golfers playing in the Ryder Cup?

The Ryder Cup is fast approaching as the biennial competition heads to Italy for the first time with Europe looking to claim back the trophy.

The United States have not won on European soil since 1993, but in the last tournament claimed a commanding 19-9 victory at Whistling Straits to win back the trophy from Team Europe.

Since the last tournament, however, the landscape of men’s professional golf has been shaken to its core with the arrival of LIV Golf . The Saudi-backed league offered vast swathes of money to prize away some of the biggest stars from the PGA Tour and try to start a new rival 54-hole circuit.

Two years on, LIV is now finishing its second season but the effects are still being felt ahead of the Ryder Cup.

Here’s everything you need to know about LIV Golfers and the Ryder Cup.

What is LIV Golf?

LIV Golf is a 54-hole league which began in June 2022. Backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), which also runs Newcastle United , the league offered up huge sign-on bonuses to attract some of the game’s biggest stars including Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith.

LIV events utilise a shotgun start rather than traditional strokeplay events and each golfer is part of a team, with their score contributing to the individual event as well as their team score. They also play three rounds per tournament rather than the traditional four.

Can LIV Golfers play in the Ryder Cup?

Well, it’s complicated and the answer depends largely on which team you want to represent.

The US Ryder Cup team is run by the PGA of America which, crucially, is different from the PGA Tour. As the PGA of America run the US team, they are in charge of selection criteria and, at present, there is nothing to prevent a LIV Golfer from qualifying for the Ryder Cup.

The problem - from a US perspective - was qualifying. As LIV events don’t currently receive world ranking points, any performances on the 54-hole tour didn’t earn players any qualification points. That means that those players were unlikely to qualify automatically and were reliant upon a captain’s pick.

For European golfers, however, it’s a lot different. The European Ryder Cup team is largely run by the DP World Tour - one of LIV’s direct rivals - and players who wanted to be eligible for selection had to be a member of said tour.

As such, many European players, including Ryder Cup legends Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, faced sanctions when they joined the rival LIV Golf. Facing fines of up to £800,000, they all resigned their membership from the DP World Tour, thus rendering them ineligible for selection.

Have any LIV golfers been selected?

Brooks Koepka will be the only LIV golfer playing in Rome next week. The American enjoyed a stellar run in this year’s majors championships, finishing runner-up at The Masters in April before going on to win his fifth major at the US PGA Championship the following month.

While those performances didn’t earn him an automatic qualifying spot, he was selected as one of US captain Zach Johnson’s six wildcard picks.

Fellow LIV Golf stars Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau were on the US Ryder Cup team in 2021 but neither were selected for the 2023 tournament.

How will the PIF-PGA Tour deal affect the Ryder Cup?

Back in June, the PGA Tour and PIF announced a shock framework deal to become partners alongside the DP World Tour. While the details are still yet to be finalised, the move could see the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which the PIF runs, come under the same umbrella.

The long-term future of LIV Golf has since been up in the air but the move could, in theory, pave the way for LIV’s European players, in particular, to return to the Ryder Cup in future years.

Bernd Wiesberger

Bernd Wiesberger is Austria’s most successful golfer. He turned pro in 2006 and recorded 12 wins before joining the LIV Golf League. He reached a career-best ranking of 21st in 2019 and has spent more than 220 weeks inside the world’s top 50. A member of Europe’s Ryder Cup team in 2021, Wiesberger has cemented himself as one of Europe’s top golfers and a formidable opponent on the international stage. 

Career Highlights

The most successful golfer from Austria with 12 wins among nearly 400 worldwide starts

Produced multiple victories in three separate years, including a career-best three wins in 2019.

Reached a career-best 21st in the world rankings in 2019.

Has spent more than 220 weeks of his career ranked inside the world’s top 50.

Played in his first Ryder Cup in 2021 as a member of the European team.

Major Championship History

STARTS AND FINISHES

Masters Starts: 6 Best finish: 22nd (2015) Top 10s: 0 Cuts made: 6

PGA Championship Starts: 9 Best finish: 15th (2014) Top 10s: 0 Cuts made: 3

U.S. Open Starts: 7 Best finish: 16th (2017) Top 10s: 0 Cuts made: 3

Open Championship Starts: 8 Best finish: T-32 (2019) Top 10s: 0 Cuts made: 5

RYDER CUP HISTORY (Team Europe)

Appearances (1):  2021

Record (wins, losses, halves):  0-3-0 

Total matches:  3

Singles (W-L-H):  0-1-0

Foursomes (W-L-H):  0-1-0

Four-balls (W-L-H):  0-1-0

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LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton shockingly granted Ryder Cup lifeline

Despite their affiliation with LIV Golf, both Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton can make the Ryder Cup team in 2025.

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Share All sharing options for: LIV Golf’s Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton shockingly granted Ryder Cup lifeline

Get ready to see Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton at Bethpage Black for the 2025 Ryder Cup , despite their affiliation with LIV Golf .

Many believed that LIV golfers could not compete in the last Ryder Cup, held at Marco Simone Golf Club outside of Rome, Italy. No European LIV players, such as Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson, and Ian Poulter, made the roster in Rome, leading many to think that Team Europe barred LIV golfers from its team.

When in fact, those players rescinded their DP World Tour memberships and, thus, their Ryder Cup prospects.

That ultimately led to Garcia attempting to pay off his fines of $867,000 , but it was too little, too late.

As for the case of Rahm and Hatton competing in 2025, newly minted DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings cleared up this “misconception” in an interview with Golf Digest and other outlets.

“If we look at the eligibility criteria for 2023, I think there has been a slight misconception,” Kinnings said.

“The reality is that, under the current system, if a player is European and is a member of the DP World Tour and abides by the rules in place, he is eligible.”

Both Rahm and Hatton fit this billing, considering that both players have maintained their DP World Tour membership and hail from Spain and England, respectively.

Yet, these two players have not obtained an official release from the DP World Tour that would allow them to compete in LIV Golf events. As such, both players are liable to sanctions from the DP World Tour, if they want to compete in the next Ryder Cup. That will likely include a financial penalty, which should not trouble Rahm and Hatton too greatly, considering the millions they received.

“If you don’t get a release, there are sanctions, so a player must accept those sanctions. And if he accepts the penalties, there is no reason why a player who has taken LIV membership and maintained his DP World Tour membership could not (a) qualify or (b) be available for Ryder Cup selection,” Kinnings explained.

“It requires a player to work within the rules, but the truth is that those rules have been looked at and tested. Everything is done in a fair, reasonable, and proportionate way. So, there is no reason why anything needs to change. It is wrong to think Jon Rahm has written himself out of the Ryder Cup. People instantly thought we would have to change the rules . But actually, we don’t. If Jon follows the procedures in place, there is no reason why he would not be eligible for the 2025 Ryder Cup.”

To date, Rahm has followed these procedures, according to Kinnings. He has formally requested a release before each LIV event he has played, including this week before LIV Golf’s Adelaide event, but the DP World Tour has denied each plea.

“[Rahm] will likely have to serve a suspension. And if he does that, he will be eligible to play in the next Ryder Cup. He doesn’t actually have to enter a subsequent DP World Tour event to serve that suspension. He would be suspended from an event, even if he hasn’t entered,” Kinnings added.

“To be eligible for the Ryder Cup, a player must play in a minimum of four DP World Tour events. Any player will still be able to do that, even if he serves any and all suspensions levied. There are enough weeks in the year to do that. That’s not a loophole. Those are the rules we have always had.”

Instead of serving his suspension after the LIV Golf season wraps up, Rahm, in theory, could partake in his suspension during off weeks on the Saudi-backed circuit. Since LIV Golf has a two-week break between the PGA Championship in mid-May and its Houston event in early June, part of Rahm’s suspension could be honored through the Soudal Open in Belgium and the European Open in Germany, for example.

Rahm could continue to employ this strategy throughout the Summer, opening up the door for him to compete in two of his favorite events on the DP World Tour later this Fall: the Andalucía Masters and the Open de España.

Regardless, the path for Rahm and Hatton—along with Adrian Meronk and Thomas Pieters—to make the 2025 Ryder Cup team has been laid out before them. Whether these players follow that course remains to be seen.

But rest assured that all European fans, including fellow players like Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood, want Rahm and Hatton on the team at Bethpage Black.

Jack Milko is a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through. Be sure to check out @_PlayingThrough for more golf coverage. You can follow him on Twitter @jack_milko as well.

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Can LIV golfers play in the Ryder Cup 2023? Europe and USA players missing, and qualification rules explained

For each team six players qualify automatically through a points system based on performance, and six are chosen by the respective captains – but liv golf has complicated proceedings.

The 2023 Ryder Cup begins on Friday with Team Europe desperate to regain the trophy from the United States following a heavy defeat two years ago.

Among the 12-strong American squad are five of the past six major winners, making them arguably the stronger team on paper, but Europe have home advantage, as well as the likes of world No 2 Rory McIlroy and No 3 Jon Rahm among their ranks.

For each team six players qualify automatically through a points system based on performance, and six are chosen by the respective captains.

Selection has been somewhat muddied this year, as it is the first Ryder Cup since the formation of the controversial LIV Golf – the Saudi Arabia-financed tour that has caused a rift in the sport, and to which many of the world’s top players have defected, with huge prizes on offer.

Here are the rules on LIV golfers competing for both Europe and the US, and both teams in full.

Can LIV players play for Team Europe?

The European Ryder Cup team is run by the DP World Tour, which is one of LIV’s main rivals.

Players who joined LIV – among them Ryder Cup stalwarts Sergio Garcia , Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter – were fined up to £800,000 by the DP World Tour, and so resigned from the tour. This made them ineligible for selection.

Also absent for the same reason are the likes of former vice-captains Martin Kaymer , Graeme McDowell and Henrik Stenson .

Will Luke Donald captain Europe again? Can LIV Golfers return? Ryder Cup 2025 talking points

Garcia did attempt to revive his chances of appearing in Rome this weekend by bidding to rejoin the DP World Tour. This was in vain, and Europe enter the competition missing their record points scorer, who has appeared in 10 straight Ryder Cups.

Rory McIlroy addressed the absence of some of Europe’s Ryder Cup legends at a press conference on Thursday. “It’s certainly a little strange not having them around,” he said. “But I think this week of all weeks, it’s going to hit home with them that they are not here.

“I think they are going to miss being here more than we’re missing them, so it’s just more I think this week is a realisation that the decision that they made has led to not being a part of this week, and that’s tough.

“The landscape in golf is ever-changing and more dynamic, and we’ll see what happens and whether they will be part of it in the future. I always thought leading up to this week is when it’s going to hit home that they are not going to be here.”

Can LIV players play for Team USA?

The rules for US players were slightly more complicated. PGA of America selects the US team – a separate organisation to the PGA Tour, a LIV competitor – meaning there is nothing actually banning Americans who joined LIV from selection.

However, as LIV events do not earn world ranking points, players on the Saudi tour have been unable to qualify for the competition, and could only get in through captain’s picks.

Only Masters and USPGA champion Brooks Koepka was selected by US captain Zach Johnson, meaning the likes of eight-time PGA Tour winner Bryson DeChambeau , Patrick Reed and Dustin Johnson , who won all five of his matchups two years ago, miss out.

DeChambeau did not refrain from criticising the way PGA players have been given preference in this year’s team, suggesting that there are numerous people Johnson could have called up, but didn’t.

“I personally think that given the way I have played, I could have definitely racked up some points for Team USA,” he said.

Ryder Cup Team Europe player profiles

Jon rahm (spain).

• Record: Won 4 Lost 3 Halved 1

Won three of his first five events of the year and then added his second major title in the Masters in April, also finishing tied second in the Open Championship. Won just one of his three matches in Paris but it was a vital one, beating Tiger Woods in the singles. Europe’s stand-out performer at Whistling Straits with three-and-a-half points from five matches.

Viktor Hovland (Norway)

• Caps: 1 (2021)
• Record: Won 0 Lost 3 Halved 2

Earned just a point from five matches at Whistling Straits and will be expected to deliver much more in Rome after ending the season with back-to-back wins in the BMW Championship and Tour Championship to claim the FedEx Cup title. Partnered three different players in 2021, giving Luke Donald either welcome flexibility or a selection headache.

Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland)

• Caps: 6 (2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021)
• Record: Won 12 Lost 12 Halved 4

Was in tears after winning his singles at Whistling Straits as he felt he had let the side down by suffering three heavy defeats over the first two days. Produced a brilliant birdie-birdie finish to win the Scottish Open in July and ended the PGA Tour season with 10 consecutive top 10 finishes.

Tyrrell Hatton (England)

• Caps: 2 (2018, 2021)
• Record: Won 2 Lost 4 Halved 1

Without a win since January 2021, but qualified via the World Points list after a consistent season which included a runners-up finish in the Players Championship, nine top 10s and just one missed cut. Played four matches at Whistling Straits but his caddie’s fitness following a knee operation could be a factor at a hilly venue in Rome.

Matt Fitzpatrick (England)

• Caps: 2 (2016, 2021)
• Record: Won 0 Lost 5 Halved 0

Has a miserable record in the Ryder Cup to date, sitting out the opening day at Hazeltine and then losing his foursomes match with Henrik Stenson before being sent out last in the singles and losing to 2023 US captain Zach Johnson. Also lost all three matches at Whistling Straits but won the US Open in 2022 and will surely be picked for a fourballs session this time around.

Robert MacIntyre (Scotland)

Won the Italian Open at host venue Marco Simone last September and solidified his position with second in the Scottish Open, where he made a stunning birdie on the last hole before being denied by McIlroy. Fourth in the penultimate qualifying event after playing with Donald the first two days.

Tommy Fleetwood (England)

• Record: Won 4, Lost 2, Halved 2

Made his debut in 2018 and partnered Francesco Molinari to four wins, three of them against an American pairing containing Tiger Woods. Ran out of steam in the singles and was beaten 6&4 by Tony Finau. Without Molinari alongside, lost one and halved two of his matches in Wisconsin.

Shane Lowry (Ireland)

• Record: Won 1 Lost 2 Halved 0

Went into the last event in the final automatic qualifying place in 2021 but was pushed out by Bernd Wiesberger and had to rely on a wild card. Won the first qualifying event, the 2022 BMW Championship, this time around but still required a pick after recording just one top 10 finish in 2023.

Justin Rose (England)

• Caps: 5 (2008, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018)
• Record: Won 13 Lost 8 Halved 2

The former US Open champion was overlooked for a wild card in 2021 but ended a four-year victory drought on the PGA Tour in February’s AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Previously formed a strong partnership with Stenson, whose switch to LIV Golf cost him the captaincy of the side for Rome.

Sepp Straka (Austria)

The second Austrian to play in the Ryder Cup after Wiesberger, Straka won his second PGA Tour title in July and followed it a fortnight later with a tie for second in the Open. Also finished seventh in the US PGA Championship and was part of the victorious Continental Europe side in January’s Hero Cup.

Ludvig Åberg

Former world number-one amateur who finished first in the PGA Tour University rankings to earn his card and only turned professional in June. Shot 65 and 67 alongside Donald in the first two rounds of the Rocket Mortgage Classic and won the final qualifying event in Switzerland with a closing 64.

Nicolai Højgaard (Denmark)

Finished 16th on the World Points list and just 25th on the European list, but won the first Italian Open at Marco Simone in September 2021 and was fifth in the same event this year. Finished third and fifth in the final two qualifying events and is ranked second in scoring average and strokes gained off the tee.

Ryder Cup Team USA player profiles

• Caps, total points: None

Burns brings solid match play experience to Rome having won the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play event in March for his fifth career PGA Tour title.

Patrick Cantlay

• Caps, total points: 1, 3.5

Cantlay did not find the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour this year but possesses a well rounded game and has been inside the top 10 in the world rankings since June 2021.

Wyndham Clark

Clark enjoyed a breakout season during which he notched his first PGA Tour win in May followed by his US Open triumph in June at Los Angeles Country Club to become the second player to automatically qualify for the US team.

Rickie Fowler

• Caps, total points: 4, 5.5

Fowler, one of the most experienced members of the US team and also one of the sport’s most popular personalities, snapped a four-year winless drought in July and returns to the Ryder Cup after not making the 2021 squad.

Brian Harman

The reigning British Open champion is one of four rookies on the American squad but is no stranger to match play experience having played on the winning side of the Walker Cup amateur team competition in 2005 and 2009.

After losing his PGA Tour card twice, Homa has showed he is not one to give up, and will undoubtedly draw on the experience he gained from the 2022 Presidents Cup where he went 4-0-0 on his debut.

Brooks Koepka

• Caps, total points: 3, 6.5

The only player from LIV Golf competing at this year’s Ryder Cup, Koepka won his third PGA Championship, and fifth major, earlier this year at Oak Hill Country Club.

Collin Morikawa

The twice major champion made a stunning Ryder Cup debut in 2021 when he earned the decisive half-point in a runaway victory and became the first US rookie to go 3-0-0 or better in foursomes and fourballs combined since Larry Nelson in 1979.

Xander Schauffele

• Caps, total points: 1, 3

The final automatic qualifier on captain Zach Johnson’s team, Schauffele boasts a well-rounded game and went 3-1-0 as a Ryder Cup rookie in the US team’s 19-9 triumph in 2021.

Scottie Scheffler

• Caps, total points: 1, 2.5

World number one Scheffler enjoyed one of the more dominant periods in recent history this year, at one point earning seven consecutive top 5 finishes. However, his putter has not been anywhere near as sharp as his tee-to-green game.

Jordan Spieth

• Caps, total points: 4, 9.5

Spieth has never won a Ryder Cup singles match but is one of the most experienced members of the US team and has competed in 18 matches since 2014, second only to Europe’s Rory McIlroy (19) over that time.

Justin Thomas

• Caps, total points: 2, 6.5

Thomas endured the worst season of his PGA Tour career this year but the twice major winner still boasts prodigious match play pedigree and was the American team’s emotional leader at the last two editions of the Ryder Cup.

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DP World Tour boss insists no loophole needed for LIV stars to play Ryder Cup

Liv players remain eligible for the ryder cup under current dp world tour regulations, says guy kinnings., article bookmarked.

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DP World Tour chief executive Guy Kinnings insists Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton will not be exploiting a “loophole” to remain eligible for the Ryder Cup.

Rory McIlroy’s immediate reaction to Rahm joining LIV Golf in December was to call for the rules to be rewritten to ensure the two-time major champion could represent Europe at Bethpage in 2025.

McIlroy later admitted the rules did not need to be changed as Rahm and Hatton were eligible as long as they maintained their DP World Tour memberships by playing four regular events per season.

The pair will also earn points towards qualification through major championships, but face fines and suspensions for playing in LIV tournaments without the required “conflicting event” releases.

However, it was not widely understood that suspensions are automatically applied to the next DP World Tour event for which the player is eligible and for which entries are still open, even if they had no intention of playing that event.

“It’s not a loophole because that’s the rules we’ve always had and those are the rules we are going to continue to apply,” Kinnings said.

“All suspensions will count and you have to serve them. And the guys who’ve analysed this in detail have said if they do it the right way, there is no reason why they can’t play in the Ryder Cup.

“We’re not going to change anything on that basis. Rules are rules and they apply for every member. We’re not in a position to be changing rules that we’ve had to go to court to defend.”

In April 2023, an arbitration panel ruled that the Tour had the right to sanction players for “serious breaches” of its code of behaviour, a case sparked by 12 players appealing against fines of £100,000 and suspension from the Scottish Open for playing LIV’s inaugural event in June 2022.

Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood resigned their memberships in the wake of the arbitration panel’s decision, while Henrik Stenson was sacked as Ryder Cup captain after joining the Saudi-funded breakaway.

Asked if such players were aware of how the tournament suspensions worked, Kinnings added: “I have no idea what they thought.

“To be perfectly honest, this isn’t new news because, as you know, I had an extremely thorough Ryder Cup captain and a brilliant assistant.

“For the last Ryder Cup they were analysing every player who was eligible and that was players on whatever Tour they were on.

“And had certain players played well enough, like Brooks [Koepka] did, then they could have been in the Ryder Cup team. As it is, they didn’t.”

Koepka, who finished second in the 2023 Masters and won the US PGA Championship the following month, slipped out of the automatic qualifying places in the final event but was given a wild card by United States captain Zach Johnson.

It is understood that the DP World Tour’s members handbook does not go into specifics of suspensions as they are assessed on a case by case basis, but that sanction letters sent to players do make it clear from which tournaments they will be suspended.

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Dustin Johnson says he would be a part of Ryder Cup team if not for LIV Golf defection

If Zach Johnson knew Dustin Johnson would repeat his historic Ryder Cup performance of two years ago at Whistling Straits, picking him this year would have been easy.

But it wasn't that easy for the US captain, and now a man who became the first American to go 5-0 in a single Ryder Cup competition in 42 years and has been a part of five US teams, will not be at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome later this month.

Dustin Johnson told the Palm Beach Post he wants to be part of the US Ryder Cup team . Although he admits he did not play "that well" in 2023, he does believe he played well enough to be a captain's pick.

"I would love to be a part of the team," DJ said. "But to be honest, I haven't really played that well, this year. But have I played well enough to be on the team? Yeah. I didn't have the best year. Was it good enough to make the team? I think so. If I would have been playing on (the PGA Tour), yeah, I would have made the team.

"Do I think I can help the US team? Absolutely."

DJ, 39, joined the Saudi-backed LIV Golf tour 16 months ago, signing for a reported $125 million. He then made more than $35 million in the next five months, winning LIV's individual championship.

Since joining LIV the only PGA Tour events he has played are the majors.

Although he has five top 10s in 11 LIV events this year, what mattered to Zach Johnson was Dustin's play in the majors. He finished tied for 10th at the U.S. Open, but he was T48 at the Masters, T55 at the PGA Championship and missed the cut at the British Open.

"If I would have played a little better at the majors, I think I definitely would have had a really good chance to be on the team," Dustin said. "But just struggled a little bit in the majors this year, which happens."

DJ in company with Arnold Palmer, Gardner Dickinson, Larry Nelson

As the oldest member of the team two years ago, DJ was 5-0, leading the US to a dominating 19-9 victory over the Europeans. He joined Arnold Palmer (1967), Gardner Dickinson (1967) and Larry Nelson (1979) as the only players to go 5-0 in Ryder Cup history.

DJ also was a part of the 2010, 2012, 2016 and 2018 teams.

"When you've been a part of teams for the last 12-14 years, you want to be a part of it because they are great events," DJ said.

Dustin Johnson and Zach Johnson spoke at the majors this year and DJ let the captain know he wanted to be part of the team.

"We talked quite a good bit," Dustin said. "He's a good friend of mine. So yeah, we talked.

"I told him I'd love to be on the team. But like I said, I didn't play quite well enough, especially not being on the Tour, I needed to really play well."

Which is how his LIV cohort, Brooks Koepka, landed on the team. Koepka narrowly missed one of the six automatic qualifier spots, but Zach Johnson chose him as a captain's pick. Koepka was runner-up at the Masters and won his fifth career major at the PGA Championship.

Zach Johnson was asked if he considered adding Dustin Johnson as a captain's pick. He said other LIV golfers besides Koepka were discussed, but "that was quite a while back."

"They had opportunity," Zach said. "We have a guy on the team (in Koepka) that had that opportunity and seized it."

Dustin Johnson is looking forward to watching, and rooting for, his "friends." Five members of the US team - Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas - live in Palm Beach County.

"I'm still buddies with all the guys," DJ said. "I see all of them, at least half the team lives down here in Jupiter.

"I'll definitely watch them, for sure."

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Rory McIlroy makes U-turn on LIV Golf stance after Tyrrell Hatton, Jon Rahm join Saudi circuit

Rory McIlroy revealed conversations with Tyrrell Hatton ahead of his Ryder Cup team-mate joining Jon Rahm in switching to the LIV Golf League; McIlroy returns to PGA Tour action at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, live on Thursday from 4.45pm on Sky Sports

Thursday 1 February 2024 16:08, UK

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Rory McIlroy has continued to soften his stance on players switching to the LIV Golf League and believes they should be offered a punishment-free pathway back to the PGA Tour.

McIlroy admitted ahead of the new season that he had been "too judgemental" in his views about players switching to the Saudi-backed circuit, having frequently spoken out in support of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour launched in 2022.

The four-time major champion has seen Ryder Cup team-mates Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton join the Saudi-backed circuit in recent weeks, with talks ongoing to finalise the Framework Agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund - who bankroll LIV Golf.

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• Tyrrell Hatton joins Jon Rahm's team in LIV Golf League
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Rahm and Hatton are banned from featuring on the PGA Tour for switching to LIV Golf, joining stars like Cameron Smith, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, with McIlroy believing the opportunity for players from both circuits to go head-to-head more frequently is "great for golf".

"I think life is about choices," Mcllroy told reporters ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. "Guys made choices to go and play LIV, guys made choices to stay here. If people still have eligibility on this tour [PGA Tour] and they want to come back and play or you want to try and do something, let them come back.

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"I think it's hard to punish people. I don't think there should be a punishment [for returning]. Obviously, I've changed my tune on that, because I see where golf is and I see that having a diminished PGA Tour and having a diminished LIV Tour or anything else is bad for both parties.

Rahmbo 😤😤 #LIVGolf @LegionXIIIgc pic.twitter.com/dELeGAX8Y6 — LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) January 30, 2024

"It would be much better being together and moving forward together for the good of the game. That's my opinion of it. So to me, the faster that we can all get back together and start to play and start to have the strongest fields possible I think is great for golf."

Will a deal be agreed to unite golf?

Hatton joins Rahm's team in LIV Golf

McIlroy's big build-up to The Masters

Explained: Why Rahm joined LIV Golf

McIlroy added: "I've come to the realisation I'm not here to change people's minds, I'm here to just try - especially when I was at the board level - to give them the full picture of where things are at and hopefully where things are going to go.

"They can do with that information what they want. At the end of the day I think I'm done with trying to change people's minds and trying to get them to see things a certain way or try to see things through my lens because that's ultimately not the way the world works."

The PGA Tour is reportedly closing on an investment deal with the Strategic Sports Group, a consortium of US-based investors which includes Boston Red Sox and Liverpool owner John Henry, with an announcement expected in the coming days.

"I feel like this thing could have been over and done with months ago," McIlroy added. "I think just for all of our sakes that the sooner that we sort of get out of it and we have a path forward, the better."

McIlroy supports Hatton's LIV Golf switch

Hatton was due to be a team-mate of the Northern Irishman in the inaugural TGL, a high-tech golf league fronted by McIlroy and Tiger Woods that was postponed until 2025 after damage to the tournament venue.

McIlroy revealed that he had multiple conversations with the Englishman ahead of the world No 16 officially being confirmed as a LIV Golf League player on Tuesday, three days before the start of their season, with the 34-year-old open to Hatton still having a TGL future.

"Everyone needs to do what's right for them," McIlroy explained. "I had a long talk with Tyrrell [Hatton] on Sunday, completely understood where he was coming from. I've talked to him quite a bit about it over the past month.

"It got to the point where they negotiated and got to a place where he was comfortable with, and he has to do what he feels is right for him. I'm not going to stand in anyone's way from making money and if what they deem life-changing money, like absolutely.

"I think that the delay of TGL was a blessing in disguise. I think 10 months is a long time, especially in the game of golf right now. You know, who knows what the landscape's going to look like in 10 months' time.

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"I think at this point all I see is opportunity. I certainly think that there's tons of opportunity within the game to do great things. Who knows, Tyrrell might still play TGL in 10 months' time depending on what happens."

Thomas on latest LIV signings: 'It is what it is'

Hatton and Rahm are the high-profile name to switch from the PGA Tour ahead of the new season, with the LIV Golf League announcing their full roster for the 2024 season on Wednesday before the opening event at Mayakoba in Mexico.

Adrian Meronk and Lucas Herbert are among the other names expected to be confirmed as LIV Golf League players, with Justin Thomas unconcerned by the volume of players who have moved tours ahead of the new season.

"I feel like at this point, it's just kind of it is what it is," Thomas said. "I've definitely found that out over this whole process, that people obviously are going to think about it differently than others, but there's just people that they're going to make decisions for what they think is best.

"I might disagree with maybe some of them, but I think at the end of the day, if that's what Tyrrell thinks is best for him, then that's what he's got to do. Obviously, I'm bummed, and I wish he wasn't [joining LIV Golf], but it's not like I'm going to call him and give him some spiel about how he shouldn't.

"At least from what Greg [Norman] said [about prospective 2024 signings], they haven't gotten anything close to what he's kind of said. It sounded like they were going to sign 10 or 15 people and haven't.

"I don't really know enough about what's going on to even kind of give a storyline. I think at the end of the day, the guys that are out there [LIV Golf League] that are still if you want to call it kind of in their prime or can still play their best golf, I would say that their priorities are still set on the majors versus their season out there."

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What Would A PGA Tour vs LIV Golf Ryder Cup Look Like?

Could you imagine if the powers-that-be got together to pit the PGA Tour and LIV stars up against one another?

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There are few certainties in professional golf these days but this is one of them. This match will never happen, the following is a bit of fun. It can’t happen and it won’t happen. But if it ever did happen it would be spectacular for all manner of reasons…

The Captains 

PGA Tour: Tiger Woods

Who else? We did wonder if Rome would be where Tiger would take the reins but that’s not to be. He’s already looked after a Presidents Cup team, in a joint playing capacity, but let’s keep things simple and have Tiger with his walkie-talkie in hand rather than his clubs. Who better to lead a team who have all idolised him while growing up? He might not have enjoyed the best Ryder Cup career but he’ll likely play a huge part in future Ryder and Presidents Cups in the years to come. And if anyone will be able to give his side the upper hand in the pre-match comments it’s Woods who, when he’s in the mood which is more and more these days, can articulate things brilliantly .

In all the opinions on LIV Golf he put everything into perspective when asked about it at The Open – ‘What is the incentive to practise? What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt? You're just getting paid a lot of money up front and playing a few events and playing 54 holes?’ 

LIV Golf: Phil Mickelson

Similar to Tiger, who else? Where else (other than The Matchzzz) could you get these two going head-to-head again? Even before LIV Golf was an actual thing we knew more about Mickelson’s opinions on its pros and cons, even if his comments were supposedly off the record. Again, we had mentally pencilled in Mickelson for the captaincy at Bethpage, maybe against Ian Poulter , but that’s never going to happen so here’s a chance for him to cut his teeth.

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Mickelson is the mouthpiece of LIV Golf and we can expect to hear more and more from him as he comes out of his shell again. He’ll stoke the flames with his often nonsensical opinions but, whatever you think of him, he’s generally entertaining. He’ll have plenty up his sleeve, some of it amusing, plenty of it cringey and he’s maybe the only golfer on the planet who will happily give a load back to Tiger and not go to pieces. 

The Vice-Captains

PGA Tour 

Who’s pally with Tiger? Well, Fred Couples, given his alliance with TW and his dislike of LIV, is a banker. Davis Love III can also help out, let’s throw in Steve Stricker to add a bit of calm and Billy Horsche l to add a bit of needle. And, to make it a slightly less of an American-centric affair, let’s throw in the brainpower of Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn who know a thing or two about man management, stats (Tiger loves his numbers) and team harmony.

Again, plenty to go at here. Henrik Stenson springs immediately to mind as his leadership days seem to have come to an abrupt end in recent months, likewise Graeme McDowell who would likely have been the skipper at Adare Manor. To add even more wit and repartee to proceedings why not include Bubba Watson to bring whatever he brings to a party behind closed doors. Bubba loves helping out behind the scenes even when it’s abundantly clear that he’s not wanted as happened at the 2016 Ryder Cup.

This is the biggie, play it over three or four days? The LIV boys may struggle to … (insert joke about 54 holes). It’s a new concept so let’s play around with the format at least a little bit. Let’s make it over four days and add some greensomes to spread the word about golf’s most underrated format and let’s get everyone playing, all the time. There’s plenty of strength in depth all round here so let’s not worry about players sitting on the sidelines.

Day 1: Six fourballs (likely to take about eight hours)

Day 2: Six foursomes and six more foursomes (all playing partners must wait down the fairway on any par 4 or 5 to help with pace of play)

Day 3: Six greensomes (look it up)

Day 4: 12 singles (no reason to mess with things here) 

All pairings or singles order to be simply handed in. No need for any mind games by reacting to one another, just hand them in and let nature take its course. And no blaring music to be played over any announcements.

Royal Greens Golf & Country Club will provide the stage for LIV’s home matches to please the authorities. This does run the risk of crowd numbers (as in there won’t be one) but it’s all about keeping the sponsors happy.

Likewise the PGA Tour will do what the PGA Tour does best and rarely, if at all, move outside the States. The first match can be played at TPC Sawgrass, home to the Tour, before moving to the traditional hotspots of Riviera, Bay Hill, Muirfield Village, Scottsdale etc etc 

How on earth do you imagine the 12 best players for such a match? Easy, take it from the world rankings and keep bringing it up in every single press conference eg ‘The 12 best players in the world…’

Any qualifying period would likely look almost identical so save someone a job of making a mess of how many captain’s picks to have and take the dozen straight from the OWGR.

As things stand it would look like this which should put the fear of god into any opposition.

1) Scottie Scheffler  

2) Rory McIlroy

3) Patrick Cantlay

4) Jon Rahm

5) Xander Schauffele

6) Will Zalatoris

7) Justin Thomas

8) Collin Morikawa

9) Matt Fitzpatrick

10) Viktor Hovland

11) Sam Burns 

12) Jordan Spieth

Things get slightly skewed here as the world rankings are an irrelevance, Captain Phil is playing at the same time as everyone else so never gets to watch any of his team in action (unless they’re in his group), some players have only played LIV aside from amateur golf and Peter Uihlein would make a team if we were to go off their standings. 

So, for this first edition, let’s lean towards those suited to matchplay by which we mean a boat load of 40+ Europeans with stellar Ryder Cup records and throw in Paul Casey on the off chance that he’s fit. 

Kevin Na, yet again, misses out on some team action and Talor Gooch also makes way for his foul and abusive, and ludicrous, comments over the Ryder Cup.

On the huge upside we get to watch Cam Smith play golf again.

1) Cam Smith

2) Joaquin Niemann

3) Abraham Ancer

4) Dustin Johnson 

5) Brooks Koepka

6) Lee Westwood

7) Patrick Reed

8) Louis Oosthuizen

9) Sergio Garcia

10) Paul Casey

11) Ian Poulter

12) Bryson DeChambeau

The Pairings

We haven’t got the players’ Strokes Gained stats in front of us but there’s no need for some of these as they write themselves. We don’t want Viktor Hovland chipping very much so let’s give him Collin Morikawa, we do want Matt Fitzpatrick to finally get off the mark so let’s give him World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler.

And just when the LIV boys think that they can’t take any more, let’s throw Rory and big Jonny Rahm at them. 

Xander Schauffele & Patrick Cantlay

Justin Thomas & Jordan Spieth

Will Zalatoris & Sam Burns

Collin Morikawa & Viktor Hovland

Scottie Scheffler & Matt Fitzpatrick

Rory McIlroy & Jon Rahm

There really is something for everyone here with a collection of personalities that tick every single box. Even the ever-assured Mickelson will be scratching his head at who goes with who here. If we were to start with the more straightforward characters then Smith and Oosthuizen should be able to ball strike their way to a few points together. Then we can casually put a Chilean and a Mexican together as they’ll probably get along despite their countries being over 4,000 miles apart. Westwood and Garcia have shared a bit of previous cup success and won’t be too disappointed by the other one’s putting.

We’ve lost track of whether Dustin and Brooksy are still friends but, on the off chance that they are, both are back in good form so this could be sensational.

Now the fun bit as we’re left with Reed, DeChambeau, Casey and Poulter. Casey and DeChambeau seem to talk in a different language to anyone else on the planet so could be an inspired partnership while Poulter and Reed could be the most ballsy pairing in the history of golf – and the prospect of Reed shushing literally 15 spectators could be the sporting image of the century.

Cam Smith & Louis Oosthuizen

Joaquin Niemann & Abraham Ancer

Lee Westwood & Sergio Garcia

Dustin Johnson &  Brooks Koepka

Patrick Reed & Ian Poulter

Paul Casey & Bryson DeChambeau

Mark has worked in golf for over 20 years having started off his journalistic life at the Press Association and BBC Sport before moving to Sky Sports where he became their golf editor on skysports.com. He then worked at National Club Golfer and Lady Golfer where he was the deputy editor and he has interviewed many of the leading names in the game, both male and female, ghosted columns for the likes of Robert Rock, Charley Hull and Dame Laura Davies, as well as playing the vast majority of our Top 100 GB&I courses. He loves links golf with a particular love of Royal Dornoch and Kingsbarns. He is now a freelance, also working for the PGA and Robert Rock. Loves tour golf, both men and women and he remains the long-standing owner of an horrific short game. He plays at Moortown with a handicap of 6.

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What is LIV Golf? Explaining the PGA Tour competitor Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson are joining

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have agreed to merge operations under common ownership.

That golf thing you’ve heard rumblings about for a while is finally here. Maybe you’ve heard it’s controversial, or that some big-name players — Phil Mickelson? Brooks Koepka? Dustin Johnson? Bryson DeChambeau? — are involved, or just that a lot of cash is on the table. But now it’s time to start thinking about whether or not you need to care about it.

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The first LIV Golf International Series event tees off Thursday. Here’s what you need to know:

What is LIV?

The LIV Golf International Series is an upstart league led by Australian former golf star Greg Norman meant to challenge the longstanding reign of the PGA Tour. The endeavor is controversial for multiple reasons, including that it’s backed by Saudi financing and plans to make stops at two Donald Trump-owned courses.

The eight-tournament circuit will feature seven regular-season events and one team championship in late October. Play begins in London on Thursday. The remaining stops are in Portland, Ore., New Jersey, Boston, Chicago, Bangkok, Saudi Arabia and Miami.

LIV is backed by an investment arm, LIV Golf Investments, of which Norman is the CEO. 

Why is it called ‘LIV’?

LIV is the Roman numeral for 54, the number of holes in each tournament (more on that next). It is also the score a player shoots if they birdie every hole on a par-72 course. 

What’s the format?

Each tournament will be a three-round, 54-hole contest with 48 players and no cuts. The events feature shotgun starts (every player starts at the same time, but at a different hole) and a team element.

The individual event will be scored as usual, by stroke play.

For the team event, players will be divided into 12 four-person groups based on a draft the week of each tournament. Each team will have a LIV-appointed captain who will select the other three teammates.

The best two stroke play scores over the first two rounds will count for each team. For the final round, the best three scores will count. The team with the lowest overall score after 54 holes will be named the team winner. The captain will set the lineup each week and choose the scores that will count. 

The team championship will be a seeded four-day, four-round, match-play knock-out.

Who are the most notable names at the first tournament?

Dustin Johnson headlined the initial field  for the inaugural event in London. Johnson’s participation came as a surprise after saying in February he would not participate in the LIV Golf circuit and would stick to the PGA Tour. 

On June 6, however, organizers announced that Phil Mickelson will tee off in London . T he six-time major winner is taking a leave of absence from the PGA Tour after apologizing for controversial comments he made in support of the rebel series and has not competed since the Saudi International in early February.

Talor Gooch, Matt Jones, Sergio Garcia, Kevin Na, Louis Oosthuizen, Ian Poulter, Hudson Swafford and Lee Westwood are among the other top names. Rumors are swirling that Rickie Fowler could also join.

Who else is joining late?

One-time major winners Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed will join LIV Golf in time for its second event, at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in North Plains, Ore., according to multiple reports. Brooks Koepka, a four-time major winner and former world No. 1, is also reportedly planning to play in Oregon. That event will be the first LIV tournament in the United States.

Bryson's agent says he's joined LIV & will play its next event: "Bryson has always been an innovator. Having the opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something unique had always been intriguing to him. Professional golf as we know it is changing & it's happening quickly." — Adam Schupak (@AdamSchupak) June 8, 2022

On June 2, DeChambeau said he wasn’t in a place in his career where he could “risk” joining the LIV series. Reed withdrew from the RBC Canadian Open, a PGA Tour event, on June 7.

DeChambeau and Reed are ranked No. 28 and 36 in the world, respectively, as of June 5. DeChambeau won the 2020 U.S. Open, while Reed claimed his lone major victory at the 2018 Masters.

Could these players be kicked off the PGA Tour and not be in majors?

It was unclear in the weeks leading up to the series exactly what discipline PGA Tour members could face over their participation in LIV. But as the inaugural event teed off in London, the PGA Tour announced that LIV players are suspended and no longer eligible to participate in tournament play.

The Tour issued a statement on June 1 reiterating that members had not been authorized to participate in the series and that those who “violate the Tournament Regulations are subject to disciplinary action.” Golfers were told on May 10 that regulations barred them from participating, the PGA Tour said.

Johnson, Garcia, Oosthuizen and Na were among those who preemptively resigned from the PGA Tour rather than face the potential discipline. A former world No. 1 with 24 career PGA Tour victories, Johnson said he still hoped to play in the majors, but he’ll now be ineligible for the Ryder Cup.

“I can’t answer for the majors but hopefully they’re going to allow us to play,” Johnson said. “Obviously I’m exempt for the majors so I plan on playing there unless I hear otherwise.”

BREAKING🚨: Dustin Johnson RESIGNS from the PGA Tour The golfer is now ineligible to play in the Ryder Cup. pic.twitter.com/LLmlmIDKmF — Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) June 7, 2022

“If I exercise my right to choose where and when I play golf, then I cannot remain a PGA Tour player without facing disciplinary proceedings and legal action from the PGA Tour,” Na, the world No. 33, wrote on social media . 

Mickelson had not resigned from the PGA Tour before the sanctions and told Sports Illustrated he is looking forward to playing in the U.S. Open (June 16-19). He intends to continue playing in majors, he said in a statement announcing he was joining LIV Golf.

Dominoes have started to fall with sponsors, too. Royal Bank of Canada became the first sponsor to publicly pull its support from LIV Golf participants, ending its relationship with Johnson and fellow Tour golfer Graeme McDowell.

The bank sponsors the RBC Canadian Open in Ontario, which is scheduled for the same weekend as the LIV opener, as well as the RBC Heritage in Hilton Head, S.C. in April.

Read this story for ongoing coverage of how the majors are handling LIV players.

Why were they allowed to play in the US Open?

What are other stars saying.

Former world No. 1 Rory McIlroy said that LIV is “not something (he wants) to participate in” and implied that those doing so are in it “purely for money” during his news conference at the 2022 Canadian Open. World No. 6 Justin Thomas also weighed in on the topic, saying that he’s “disappointed” and wishes Johnson and others who have joined “wouldn’t have done it.”

How much money is involved?

A total of $255 million will be awarded in prize money across the eight LIV tournaments. Each of the regular-season events will have a $25 million purse — $20 million for individual prizes and $5 million for the top three teams. 

The top three individuals after the seven regular-season events — among those who play a minimum of four events — will also share an additional $30 million ($18 million, $8 million and $4 million each). Finally, another $50 million will be awarded at the team match-play championship. 

A key component is that no competitor will go home empty-handed from a tournament. The winner gets $4 million and the last-place finisher is set to earn $120,000. (For comparison: the U.S. Open, the biggest purse of the four majors, awards $12.5 million in prize money, with the winner getting $2.25 million.)

And there’s more than just prize money on the table in LIV. Johnson was reportedly offered a $125 million contract just to state his commitment to the new league. Norman told The Washington Post that LIV offered Tiger Woods a “mind-blowingly enormous” amount (think high nine digits) to sign on. 

Norman said LIV Golf Investments is aiming to put a total of $2 billion into the sport between 2023 and 2025, eventually increasing the number of events to 14. 

How long is the schedule and does it conflict with the PGA Tour?

The schedule runs from June through October and does not conflict with any existing majors. However, the first three LIV Golf tournaments do coincide with already scheduled PGA Tour events on the 2021-22 calendar.

Do we think this is sustainable?

Hugh Kellenberger, golf senior managing editor: The Public Investment Fund, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign-wealth fund, has essentially limitless resources to make this work. LIV Golf is happening, and will continue to happen. The question is whether or not it’s a direct competitor to the PGA Tour, or a side-show event that is happening but not in direct conflict.

There will inevitably be lawsuits that will determine a professional golfer’s ability to play on both tours. If those suits are successful from a LIV perspective, then just remember that no one has ever gone broke betting on pro athletes taking the largest paychecks imaginable. If they’re not, LIV’s future will largely depend on it luring more names on the level of a Johnson.

How does the PGA Tour need to respond?

Kellenberger: Johnson, Na and others found a convenient loophole, it seems, by resigning their membership — they quit before the PGA Tour could try to suspend them, essentially. Mickelson kept the door open by refusing to follow their path.

The first question is how the PGA Tour responds to Mickelson, because that’ll influence the next group through the door, including DeChambeau and Reed. Without decisive action from PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan that establishes very clearly a real consequence beyond the public relations blow, DeChambeau and Reed will not be the last to take the blood money.

Wait, are these goofy team names real?

Today in Not The Onion, we have 42-year-old Sergio Garcia captaining a team of fellow golfers called the “Fire Balls.” This is real life. pic.twitter.com/s4566HYmr2 — Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 7, 2022

How to watch

LIV is currently slated to stream on YouTube, Facebook and LIVGolf.com; it doesn’t presently have a U.S.-based broadcast partner. The Athletic’ s Richard Deitsch said he can’t see any network with a longtime relationship with the PGA Tour (CBS, NBC, ESPN, etc.) going anywhere near this series. Companies like Fox and Turner may not go for it in the near term with little proof of concept.

Arlo White, the former longtime play-by-play voice of NBC’s Premier League coverage, is serving as the lead broadcaster, joined in the booth by Jerry Foltz and Dom Boulet. The broadcast team will be completed by on-course commentator Su-Ann Heng and on-course reporter Troy Mullins.

The London event tees off on June 9 at 2 p.m. local time (9 a.m. ET).

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PGA Tour bans former Ryder Cupper that was never (?!) a member of circuit

Former LIV Golf League player Bernd Wiesberger has confirmed he's been banned from PGA Tour events despite never being a member.

Former LIV Golf League player Bernd Wiesberger says he's been banned from participating in two events on the PGA Tour despite never holding membership on the North American Circuit. 

The Austrian golfer was reacting to comments made by Swedish golfer Henrik Stenson on the anniversary of the 6 June 2023 framework agreement between the PGA Tour and LIV's Saudi backers when he made the claim.  

That deal is yet to be consummated but the most recent reports suggests the two sides have exchanged terms. 

Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods were reportedly scheduled to meet representatives of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund on 7 June, according to the New York Times . 

As for Wiesberger, he began his career on the DP World Tour and won eight times between 2012 and 2021. 

He was even part of the European Ryder Cup side was humbled at Whistling Straits. 

The golfer decided to make the jump to LIV Golf in June 2022 and played on the breakaway tour as a member of Martin Kaymer's Cleeks for two years. 

His contract was not renewed after he got relegated and therefore he decided to return to go back to his roots.  

But that was only allowed after he paid all of his fines and sanctions. 

At the time, he wrote on X: "I never resigned my membership and therefore I am grateful for the opportunity to be able to play a full schedule [on the DP World Tour] once again."

Wiesberger has performed well since then, notching seven top-25 finishes from nine starts and even finished in a tie for second at last week's European Open . 

In July, the PGA Tour stages the Barracuda Championship and the ISCO Championship. Both events are co-sanctioned with the DP World Tour. 

The ISCO Championship was formerly known as the Barbasol Championship but it has now got a new sponsor . 

But Wiesberger has been barred from participation. 

He wrote on X: 

Same here. Just received a letter by the pgat banning me from playing the isco and barracuda. Never been a member either. Who knows what’s going on over there… https://t.co/XkCvcJMh1j — Bernd Wiesberger (@BWiesberger) June 7, 2024

Lots of golf fans were confused, but the decision is a consequence of a PGA Tour rule that was created mid-way through 2022 that allows the circuit to ban non-members for up to one year. 

Said rule was created to dissuade players from considering switching allegiances for participating in 'unauthorized tournaments'. 

Still, one X user pointed out that Wiesberger should not be banned given the ISCO Championship and Barracuda Championship are co-sanctioned events. 

Wiesberger clarified in a post: "To my knowledge, the Scottish Open is a co-sanctioned event between the Tours. 

"Both member regulations apply. Isco and Barracuda are basically a ‚gift‘ from the pgat to dpwt and only the pgat regulations apply. No co-sanctioned Event. 

"And by this they can decide who play. Or not." 

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Anthony Kim reignites feud with Brandel Chamblee after taking brutal Ryder Cup dig

Anthony Kim and Brandel Chamblee have been involved in a war of words over social media in recent months, and the LIV Golf star has again taken aim at the Golf Channel analyst

• 17:42, 8 Jun 2024
• Updated 20:11, 8 Jun 2024

Anthony Kim has once again hit out at Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee, taking aim at the former PGA Tour star's lack of experience on the Ryder Cup stage.

Kim made a shock return to professional golf after 12 years away in February, after the American announced he had joined LIV Golf as a 2024 wildcard. Kim had been absent from the game and public eye for over a decade, with the 38-year-old enduring a number of injury issues in 2012 whilst playing on the PGA Tour.

He has since opted to make his comeback, throwing himself into the centre of the saga between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which has seen the sport left torn in two over the past two years.

READ MORE: Brooks Koepka embroiled in lengthy LIV Golf rules dispute with Patrick Reed

READ MORE: Ex-LIV Golf star banned by PGA Tour despite quitting Saudi-backed league

One of LIV's biggest critics has been Chamblee, and this has led to a war of words with Kim since he made the decision to make the Saudi switch. The LIV wildcard re-lit the fuse between the pair earlier this week, taking aim at Chamblee's lack of experience at the pinnacle of pro golf.

"Guys like that are what is wrong with golf. Brandel talks about stuff he knows nothing about," Kim told the Country Club Adjacent podcast. "I saw an interview that Mark Lye did, Brandel and David Duval were on the Golf Channel. Brandel went on and on about what its like in the Ryder Cup room. How the ---- would you know?

“Here’s David Duval who was No. 1 in the world and played in multiple Ryder Cup teams, has all these sorts of records, and won a million times. You are over-talking him about what it is like and what they are feeling. If they are talking about what it is like to drive to the Korn Ferry [Tour] event and miss the cut, we would call you Brandel!”

For all the latest on news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US .

Kim and Chamblee first trade blows last month, after the the former hit out at the latter's comments claiming the PGA Tour siding with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) "is the better end of the bargain", despite being a previous PIF critic. "Ramble Chamblee," Kim tweeted.

"@chambleebrandel ur such a ----- 4 beating on ur chest and basically saying never retreat & hypocritically retreat. It is well known this talentless fool is disliked by most people in the golf world. U still gonna cover golf if @livgolf_league is involved?” LIV critic Chamblee didn't take long before he brutally hit back.

"This is about as inaccurate as a lot of Mickelson’s drives and sadly ironical coming two tweets after you asked for advice on raising your daughter that you would refer to someone as a female body part in a juvenile attempt to denigrate them," he tweeted. "As for your criticism of me saying a deal with the Saudis is the best deal for golf right now, it’s something I’ve said recently, because I don’t think the Saudis are going to turn away from the game and they will continue to be a poaching threat and dilute the product of the PGA Tour.

"It’s the sad reality of you and your brethren on the LIV tour willingly dealing with a murderous dictator for profit so that he can hide his atrocities, that golf has had to try to figure out how to mitigate the influence of MBS, PIF and LIV in the otherwise philanthropical and merit based world of professional golf."

Chamblee later told Golf Channel that he later thought Kim's initial tweet was a 'bot', before realising it was Kim's personal account, who claimed was 'bought'. Unsurprisingly the LIV Golf star hit back, taking aim at Chamblee's wife, Bailey Mosier.

"Again an inaccurate statement by someone who would know about hanging around ball pits when he left his family and four kids for someone half his age @GolfChannel," Kim hit back."Very unprofessional. also I'm not for sale I chose to play @livgolf_league [because] it was best for me and my family."

MORE ON Anthony Kim David Duval Ryder Cup LIV Golf Golf PGA Tour PGA Tour Brandel Chamblee

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Jon Rahm withdraws from LIV Houston one week before U.S. Open at Pinehurst with apparent foot injury

Rahm was suffering from cuts between his toes, according to the broadcast.

Jon Rahm, the 2021 U.S. Open champion, withdrew from LIV Houston on Saturday just a few days ahead of the 2024 U.S. Open at Pinehurst. Rahm, who was 3 under at the time, could not complete his second round at the Golf Club of Houston. He was five back of the three-way lead at 8 under at the time he withdrew.

Rahm looked as if he was struggling with a foot or toe problem on Friday in the first round of play, but he went on to shoot a 69 with five birdies regardless. He was not available for interview on Friday after his round. The TV broadcast reported on Saturday that Rahm was dealing with a cut in between his toes. 

This video is from yesterday but Jon Rahm just WD from LIV Houston. pic.twitter.com/m0yjBhPfJu — Rick Gehman (@RickRunGood) June 8, 2024

It has been a strange season for Rahm, who joined LIV Golf and its expansion team, Legion XIII, in December. While he has seemingly thrived on LIV, with seven top 10s in seven starts, he has not been good at the Masters or the PGA Championship. After a T45 at Augusta National, Rahm missed the cut at the PGA Championship at Valhalla. It was his first missed cut at a PGA since 2019.

Now there is the question of the U.S. Open at Pinehurst, a tournament where Rahm has thrived. Including his victory at the 2021 edition at Torrey Pines, Rahm has finished in the top 10 in four of the last five U.S. Opens, including a T12 and T10 since that 2021 win. Rahm is currently around 12-1 to win the event, but given his struggle at the majors so far this year, his general sour disposition throughout the year and now this injury, it's difficult to see him getting into contention.

That's an odd thing to say about somebody who has done nothing but top 10 so far this year on the tour where he plays, but majors are obviously different, and Rahm does not bring any momentum into Pinehurst. That is, if he even decides to tee it up at all. While the injury does not seem to be something that would keep him out of a major championship, there has still not been any word from either LIV, Legion XIII or Rahm and his camp about what's going on and where he stands going into the third major of the year.

It is also unclear who will replace Rahm in the LIV Houston event.

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Ryder Cup qualification begins in Moscow

With 394 days to go before the first ball is struck at Hazeltine National in The 2016 Ryder Cup, the race to qualify for the European side kicks off at this week's M2M Russian Open.

Over the next 12 months, the race will traverse the globe and it is Skolkovo Golf Club, on the outskirts of Moscow, that has the honour of hosting the first counting event towards playing in a side to be captained by European Tour legend Darren Clarke.

"I am delighted that we are getting qualification for the 2016 European Ryder Cup team under way,” said the Northern Irishman, who was unveiled as European captain on February 18. 

"This signals the start of what I know will be an intense and exciting period for me personally and for everyone involved with The European Tour." - Darren Clarke

Next year's Made in Denmark tournament, to be staged from August 25-28, 2016, will be the final counting event after a qualification process which will be operating under the same system employed for the 2014 edition.

To recap, that means the first four players bound for Hazeltine National in Minnesota in September 2016 will come from The Ryder Cup European Points List – based around points gained from events on The European Tour’s Race to Dubai – with the next five players coming from The Ryder Cup World Points List – based around Official World Golf Ranking points gained globally.

That will leave Clarke the task of choosing three wild cards to complete The 2016 European team in the days after the conclusion of the 2016 Made in Denmark tournament.

“The qualification period is a truly global affair now and many of the players that will make the team will do so by playing in many tournaments around the world,” added Clarke.

“However, as I said when I was announced as captain, I’m focused on assembling the best team possible to represent Europe and I think this system gives me the opportunity to do just that.”

Two players with prior experience of competing in the revered transatlantic clash have made the trip to Russia for the opening event of the 2016 points race, namely Dane Søren Hansen and Italy's Edoardo Molinari, and the latter says the memories of his Ryder Cup debut in the 2010 edition of the event still burn bright.

"The Ryder Cup is a very unique experience," said Molinari, who won one point from three matches in Wales five years ago. "Especially so in golf, because we don't get to play a lot of team events. It has so much history and tradition and the environment is like nothing else. The atmosphere is unreal.

"I have very fond memories of Celtic Manor, obviously playing together with Francesco was a highlight of the week, and hopefully one day I can be back on the team because it is very special."  

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How We Got Here: A Timeline of LIV Golf's Creation and How the PGA Tour Reacted

Bob harig | jun 6, 2024.

How did professional golf's split come to life? Here's a timeline compiled by Bob Harig, from the initial reports of a rival league in January 2020 until now, one year after a "framework agreement" was supposed to unify the sport.

2020: The rival circuit idea takes hold

2021: liv golf is born, early 2022: phil mickelson speaks, liv prepares, mid 2022: liv golf—with big names—tees off, early 2023: owgr, legal issues persist, summer 2023: the stunning agreement , late 2023: liv strengthens its lineup, 2024: pga tour lands an investor deal.

January:  Reports first surface about the potential for a rival golf league that has been meeting with players and agents behind the scenes and touting an 18-event circuit with just 48 players, 12 teams and guaranteed pay. Initial ideas saw $10 million purses with no cuts and a windfall for 12 team captains. The concept was called the  Premier Golf League .

Jan. 29:  Phil Mickelson  plays in the pro-am for the Saudi International, an event that is sanctioned by the European Tour. In his group is Majed Al-Sorour, CEO of the Saudi Golf Federation; Andy Gardiner, a director at Barclays Capital and a founder of the PGL; and Colin Neville of the Raine Group, also a backer of the PGL, which had Saudi Arabia backing as well through the Public Investment Fund.

Jan. 30:  Greg Norman, who once tried to spearhead a rival league with the backing of Fox Sports, sees viability in the PGL a day after the pro-am in Saudi Arabia. “It’s just a matter of getting all the right components together, whether players stay together," says Norman, whose World Golf League in 1993-94 was thwarted by the PGA Tour. “With my original concept, some players loved it, and others didn’t like it. I had corporate, I had television but you need 100% of the pie to be together before we can bake it. From what I’m seeing here, this one has every chance of getting off the ground."

Feb. 11:  Speaking at the Genesis Invitational,  Tiger Woods says he’s been approached about the PGL . “My team’s been aware of it and we’ve delved into the details of it and trying to figure it out just like everyone else. We’ve been down this road before with World Golf Championships and other events being started. There’s a lot of information that we’re still looking at and whether it’s reality or not, but just like everybody else, we’re looking into it."

Asked why he might even be interested, Woods said: “I think just like all events, you’re trying to get the top players to play more collectively. It’s one of the reasons why we instituted the World Golf Championships, because we were only getting (the top players) together five times a year, the four majors and the Players, and we wanted to showcase the top players on more than just those occasions. So this is a natural evolution, whether or not things like this are going to happen, but ideas like this are going to happen going forward, whether it’s now or any other time in the future."

Feb. 18:  A week later at the WGC-Mexico Championship,  Rory McIlroy  seemingly deals the PGL a serious blow: “The more I’ve thought about it, the more I don’t like it. The one thing as a professional golfer in my position that I value is the fact that I have autonomy and freedom over everything I do. I pick and choose—this is a perfect example. Some guys this week made the choice not to come to Mexico. If you go and play this other golf league, you’re not going to have that choice.

"I read a thing the other day where it said if you take the money they can tell you want to do. And I think that’s my thing, I’ve never been one for being told what to do, and I like to have that autonomy and freedom over my career, and I feel like I would give that up by going to play this other league. For me, I’m out. My position is I’m against it until there may come a day that I can’t be against it. If everyone else goes, I might not have a choice, but at this point, I don’t like what they’re proposing."

Spring/Summer:  Talk of the rival golf circuit dies down considerably amid the global Coronavirus pandemic. Talk shifts to when golf will resume and how it will take place amid a health crisis. The PGL idea goes into the background.

Fall:  The PGL approaches the European Tour, now the DP World Tour, with a proposal to merge or cooperate. CEO Keith Pelley turns down the PGL and instead forms a "strategic alliance" with the PGA Tour that will see some crossover events, the Tour take an ownership stake in European Tour productions, and effectively—at the time—hold off the outside threat.

May 4:  A report surfaces that a new Super Golf League has emerged and that it is either the new name for the PGL or something different. Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson are among those linked to it. Sometime during the spring and summer of 2021, the PGL sees some of its personnel switch allegiances to a new entity that will have full Saudi backing and will come to be known as LIV Golf.

Oct. 27:  At a private unveiling in New York, LIV Golf Investments is announced with Greg Norman as its CEO, with the idea of first helping to back golf in Asia with the $300 million investment in the Asian Tour, which will be used to finance a new elevated series of events called the International Series. It is eventually disclosed that Norman will also be the commissioner of a new tour called the LIV Golf League, with plans to launch in the spring of 2022.

Nov. 21:  PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sends a memo to players outlining how 55% of the Tour’s revenue will be paid out to players in the form of prize money, bonuses and other benefits—believed to be in response to Phil Mickelson saying on a podcast that only 26% of revenue was going to the players.

Feb. 2:  While playing in the Saudi International for the third straight year, Phil Mickelson does an interview with  Golf Digest  in which he refers to the  PGA Tour’s "obnoxious greed"  as a reason why players might be interested in LIV Golf. He also maintains that the Tour is sitting on millions of dollars that should be going to the players. "It’s not public knowledge, all that goes on," Mickelson said. “But the players don’t have access to their own media. If the Tour wanted to end any threat, they could just hand back the media rights to the players. But they would rather throw $25 million here and $40 million there than give back the roughly $20 billion in digital assets they control. Or give up access to the $50-plus million they make every year on their own media channel."

Feb. 17:  Even Tiger Woods and the Genesis Invitational—where he is not playing—take a back seat to the drama that unfolds when Alan Shipnuck releases an excerpt from his soon-to-released  biography of Phil Mickelson  in which the golfer, among other things, says he is willing to use the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League as leverage against the PGA Tour and that he and other players paid attorneys to help LIV Golf develop its business plan.

Feb. 20:  With Phil Mickelson’s comments the talk of the tournament, players such as  Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau come out in support of the PGA Tour , viewed as a blow to LIV Golf. It is later learned that Mickelson’s comments and the subsequent back-tracking of several players who were interested in LIV set back the league’s plans and sent it into disarray.

Feb. 22:  In the wake of his comments,  Phil Mickelson offers an apology  and says he will step away from the game for a period of time and offers to pause relationships with sponsors. “I have always known that criticism would come with exploring anything new. I still chose to put myself at the forefront of this to inspire change, taking the hits publicly to do the work behind the scenes.”

Mickelson said that he offered the brands with which he was associated “the option to pause or end the relationship as I understand it might be necessary given the current circumstances.” KPMG and Amstel Light end their relationships with Mickelson, and a few days later, Callaway announces that it is pausing a relationship that dates to 2004.

March 8:  With Phil Mickelson missing—and, later it was learned, suspended—PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan addressed the media at the Players Championship. A typical state-of-the tour-type news conference  turned into questions about Mickelson and LIV Golf . "The PGA Tour is moving on," he said. "We have too much momentum and too much to accomplish to be consistently distracted by rumors of other golf leagues and their attempts to disrupt our players, our partners, and most importantly our fans from enjoying the Tour and the game we all love so much.

"I am grateful for the strong support our top players have shown recently and publicly, and I’m extremely proud that we’ve turned the conversation around to focus on what we do best: delivering world-class golf tournaments with the best players to the best fans, all while positively impacting the communities in which we play. We are and we always will be focused on legacy not leverage."

March 16:  Despite numerous setbacks, LIV Golf announces an eight-tournament schedule to begin in June. It won’t be the LIV Golf League, as planned, but the LIV Golf Invitational Series. Purses will be $20 million for the individual portion with $5 million more set aside for the teams. At the time, LIV Golf was unsure if it would be able to fill a 48-player field so it announced that the entire purse would be paid out regardless of the number of players who started. Total prize money for the eight events was set at $255 million, with $50 million set aside for a season-ending Team Championship.

May 10:  PGA Tour players and Korn Ferry Tour players interested in competing in the first LIV Golf event outside of London in June need to seek conflicting event and/or media releases but are denied. The Tour tells players it is not an authorized event. Greg Norman, the LIV Golf commissioner, pushes back. "Sadly, the PGA Tour seems intent on denying professional golfers their right to play golf, unless it’s exclusively in a PGA Tour tournament. This is particularly disappointing in light of the Tour’s non-profit status, where its mission is purportedly to promote the common interests of professional tournament golfers.

"Instead, the Tour is intent on perpetuating its illegal monopoly of what should be a free and open market. The Tour’s action is anti-golfer, anti-fan, and anti-competitive. But no matter what obstacles the PGA Tour puts in our way, we will not be stopped. We will continue to give players options that promote the great game of golf globally.”

May 31:  Dustin Johnson, a two-time major winner who has 24 PGA Tour titles, headlines  the field announced for the first LIV Golf event  to be played at The Centurion Club outside of London. Others listed are past major winners Sergio Garcia and Louis Oosthuizen, as well as Kevin Na, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood.

June 6:   Phil Mickelson ends a four-month hiatus  in which he missed the  Masters  and defense of his  PGA Championship  title, emerging as LIV Golf’s latest signee who is set to compete later in the week at the first tournament. At a news conference prior to the tournament, Mickelson is asked several times about his past comments regarding Saudi Arabia, its human rights record and the death of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, believed by U.S. government officials to have been carried out by the Saudi regime.

“Well, certainly, I've made, said and done a lot of things that I regret, and I'm sorry for that and for the hurt that it's caused a lot of people. I don't—I don't condone human rights violations at all. Nobody here does, throughout the world. I'm certainly aware of what has happened with Jamal Khashoggi, and I think it's terrible. I've also seen the good that the game of golf has done throughout history, and I believe that LIV Golf is going to do a lot of good for the game as well. And I'm excited about this opportunity. That's why I'm here."

June 9:  Within minutes of the first tee shots being struck at the first LIV Golf event, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan issues a memo in which  players who are participating are told they are being suspended .

June 11:  Charl Schwartzel, the 2011 Masters champion, wins the first LIV event, holding on for his first victory anywhere in nearly six years. The win was worth $4 million from the $20 million purse and because Schwartzel’s team, Stinger GC, won the team competition, he pocketed another $750,000 from the $3 million paid to the winners.

June 21:  Following other players who committed to play for LIV during or after the first LIV event, then-four-time major champion  Brooks Koepka is announced as the latest addition . He joins the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Pat Perez, Patrick Reed and Abraham Ancer as those who were now set to play in LIV’s second event.

June 22:  During a news conference at the Travelers Championship, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan outlines a plan that will see the PGA Tour return to a calendar-year schedule in 2024 while also increasing the purses substantially at eight events, including the legacy events for Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and  Jack Nicklaus . The FedEx Cup season is also changed to see smaller fields at the first two playoff events.

Aug. 2:  Eleven LIV golfers sue the PGA Tour to challenge suspensions and claim a restraint of trade. Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau are among those named in the suit. Three other players—Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford and Matt Jones—seek a temporary restraining order so they can play in the FedEx Cup playoffs. (The restraining order is denied on the eve of the FedEx Cup playoffs.)

Aug. 16:  Tiger Woods flies to Delaware and heads a players-only meeting at the BMW Championship along with Rory McIlroy where details are hashed out that will lead to substantial purse increases and benefits for players. It would later commonly be referred to as  "the Delaware Meeting."

Aug. 24:  On the back of the Delaware meeting, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announces a hastily-devised plan that will see eight tournaments in 2023 with boosted purses. First called designated events, these tournaments would have $20 million purses except for the Sentry, which will be $15 million. For several of the events, the result means more than doubling the purse. For the legacy events, it means adding $8 million per event. And the first two playoff events will also have $20 million purses.

Aug. 30:  Just more than a month after his victory at St. Andrews,  British Open  champion  Cam Smith becomes the latest player to join LIV Golf , doing so in time for its event in Boston. Smith is joined by Joaquin Niemann, who attended the Delaware meeting, along with Marc Leishman, Harold Varner III, Anirban Lahiri and Cameron Tringale. At the time, it gave LIV Golf six of the top 30 players in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Oct 5:  LIV Golf announces a strategic alliance with the MENA Tour, a developmental tour that has had Official World Golf Ranking accreditation since 2016. LIV Golf incorporates its events into the MENA Tour schedule and says it believes it should be granted OWGR immediately due to the association.  The move is scoffed at as an end-around to try and obtain points  and the OWGR does not grant points to LIV Golf.

Oct. 29:  Martin Slumbers, the CEO of the R&A, makes it clear that the British Open is not going to ban LIV golfers who are otherwise eligible for the 2023 championship. "We are not going to abandon 150 years of history have the Open not be open," Slumbers said.

Oct. 30:  LIV Golf completes its first season with Dustin Johnson’s 4Aces team winning the team championship in Miami. The four team members share a $16 million payday.

Nov. 15:  At the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, Rory McIlroy says it is time for golf’s warring factions to figure something out. But  he says it needs to happen without LIV Golf commissioner Greg Norman . “Greg needs to go. He needs to exit stage left. He’s made his mark but I think now is the right time to say you’ve got this thing off the ground but no one’s going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room that actually try to mend fences."

Nov. 29:  At his Hero World Challenge event in the Bahamas, Tiger Woods also says that Greg Norman needs to go. Woods had been planning to play for the first time since the British Open but withdrew due to plantar fasciitis. “I think (Greg Norman) has to go, first of all, and then obviously the litigation against us and then our countersuit against them. Those would then have to be at a stay as well, then we can talk, we can all talk freely. Right now as it is, not right now, not with their leadership, not with Greg there and his animosity towards the tour itself. I don’t see that happening. But why would you change anything if you’ve got a lawsuit against you? They sued us first."

Dec. 16:  Only a year into the job, the  Chief Operating Officer for LIV Golf leaves his position . Atul Khosla was hired by LIV Golf in December 2021 from the  Tampa Bay Buccaneers  NFL team, where he held the title of chief corporate development and brand officer. Khosla was also chief operating officer for the Chicago Fire soccer club in the MLS and also worked for General Electric and NBC Sports. In his role at LIV Golf, he reported to CEO and commissioner Greg Norman. His role was taken over by executives of the Performance 54 agency and not filled for nearly a year.

Dec. 20:  Augusta National makes clear it will be  inviting those eligible for the Masters to participate . “Regrettably, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it," Masters chairman Fred Ridley said in a statement. “Although we are disappointed in these developments, our focus is to honor the tradition of bringing together a preeminent field of golfers this coming April.”

Jan. 19:  LIV Golf announces it has a  long-awaited television partner  after its events were available only via streaming in the first year. The CW Network—the C is for CBS, the W for Warner Media—enters into a multi-year agreement to televise LIV Golf tournaments. The deal will not see LIV Golf get paid a traditional rights fee but that is "mutually financially beneficial." It is believed that LIV will share advertising revenue with the CW and will also likely be expected to shoulder a good bit of promotional work.

Jan. 24:  Jay Monahan and Keith Pelley recuse themselves from reviewing LIV Golf’s application for Official World Golf Ranking points. Monahan, the commissioner of the PGA Tour, and Pelley, the CEO of the DP World Tour, are two of the seven members of the OWGR board of directors that ultimately decides the fate of tours seeking accreditation. Keith Waters, who heads up the International Federation of PGA Tours and is the DP World Tour’s chief operating officer, also recused himself from the application.

“I have not looked at the LIV application," Pelley says during a session with reporters in Dubai. “So I can’t give an opinion on an application I have not seen. It is in the hands of the technical committee. On the advice of legal counsel, myself and Jay recused ourselves from the separate committee. Representatives of the four majors will now determine the LIV application. We are not involved and we have no influence on what transpires as far as LIV goes."

April 5:  The DP World Tour wins an arbitration case against LIV Golf players who were seeking to play the former European Tour. The arbitration panel rules that the DP World Tour had the right to fine and suspend players for violating its membership regulations in order to compete in LIV Golf events. Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter and 10 other players had brought the action in response to fines levied for not being granted permission to compete in LIV Golf events. A separate antitrust case between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour is still scheduled for 2024.

May 4:  Amid its investigation of former President Donald Trump’s handling of classified documents, the Department of Justice looks specifically at his dealings with LIV Golf, according to the  New York Times . Two of Trump’s courses hosted events in 2022 with three scheduled to do so in 2023.

June 6:  The golf world is stunned to learn that secret negotiations have been taking place and resulted in a  "framework agreement" between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Public Investment Fund . Initially said to be a "merger," it is later reframed as an agreement that would see the entities have an alliance. The biggest part of the news is that all of the lawsuits have been dropped. The idea is to have a final deal by Dec. 31, 2023.

As more details emerge, it is learned that PGA Tour Policy Board members Jimmy Dunne and Ed Herlihy secretly met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the PIF, for several weeks prior to the announcement. PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan also had clandestine meetings with Al-Rumayyan. On the day of the announcement, they appeared together on CNBC.

June 7:  While surprised that everything came together so quickly, Rory McIlroy says that the PGA Tour’s partnership with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia will ultimately be good for the game of golf. Speaking after his pro-am round at the RBC Canadian Open,  McIlroy learned of the agreement shortly before the rest of the world  but said much of it has been mischaracterized and that it should not be viewed as a merger with LIV Golf.

“LIV has nothing to do with this. It’s the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund that are basically partnering to create a new company. That’s where I was a little frustrated. All I’ve wanted to do was protect the future of the PGA Tour and protect the aspirational nature of what the PGA Tour stands for. I think this does this. If you look at the structure, this new company sits above everything else. (PGA Tour commissioner) Jay (Monahan) on top of that. Technically, anyone involved with LIV would answer to Jay. The one thing whether you like it or not, the PIF were going to keep spending money in golf. At least the PGA Tour controls how that money is spent. You’re dealing with one of the biggest sovereign wealth funds in the world. Would you rather fight against or have them as a partner?"

June 7:  Although not involved in the negotiations, LIV Golf CEO and commissioner  Greg Norman has a positive message for the staff . Norman, who was not mentioned in any of the news releases associated with the agreement, tells more than 100 people on a 30-minute call that LIV will see no operational changes and that work is already being done on a 2025 schedule. “The spigot is now wide open for commercial sponsorships, blue chip companies, TV networks. LIV is and will continue to be a standalone enterprise. Our business model will not change. We changed history and we’re not going anywhere."

June 14:  On the Tuesday of the  U.S. Open  week, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan announces through the Tour a  health-related leave of absence  that will see Tour executives Ron Price and Tyler Dennis take over his duties.

July 7:  In a memo to players, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan says he will return from his leave on July 14, which is the Monday of British Open week.

July 9:  Randall Stephenson, a longtime member of the PGA Tour and former head of AT&T,  sends a resignation letter to Monahan and the board  and specifically cites his displeasure with the framework agreement.

July 11:  Among wish-list ideas proposed by the LIV Golf League in the time leading up to the framework agreement was giving Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy LIV Golf League franchises and seeing them compete in LIV Golf events. It was just one of the ideas that discussed by the parties as part of documents released by a Senate subcommittee during a hearing in Washington, D.C., led by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.). The PGA Tour rejected it as part of the negotiation.

The committee is concerned about the foreign involvement in an American sports league as well as possible antitrust violations. Some of the ideas include having a "World Golf Series" team event that would be played in Saudi Arabia; LIV operating as it is but being played in the fall or with the idea of LIV coexisting along with the PGA Tour; two of the PGA Tour’s designated events that would be branded by the PIF or the Saudi Arabia oil company, Aramco.

July 18:  Masters champion  Jon Rahm  says he has no trust issues with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan—unlike several of his peers—and suggests time is needed. “As it comes to what he's been doing for us and the PGA Tour, I think he's done a fantastic job. I would say it was unexpected what happened. I think what the management of the PGA Tour, the turn they took without us knowing was very unexpected, but I still think he's been doing a great job. And right now after that happened, I only think it's fair to give them the right time to work things out. I still think they have the best interest of the players at heart."

Rahm, speaking before the British Open, also reiterates he is not interested in LIV Golf. “We all had the chance to go to LIV and take the money and we chose to stay at the PGA Tour for whatever reason we chose. As I've said before, I already make an amazing living doing what I do. I'm extremely thankful, and that all happened because of the platform the PGA Tour provided me. As far as I'm concerned they've done enough for me, and their focus should be on improving the PGA Tour and the game of golf for the future generations."

Aug. 1:   Tiger Woods is named to the PGA Tour Policy Board , giving the players a power boost as he becomes the sixth player director on the board. Part of the move includes a stipulation that will see a change in PGA Tour governance that means the player directors will have final say in any decisions going forward.

Aug. 8:  PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan speaks with reporters for the first time since his leave and after returning to work and takes responsibility for the way the negotiations for the “framework agreement" were secretly handled and the subsequent rollout. “It was ineffective and as a result there was a lot of misinformation. And anytime you have misinformation that can lead to mistrust. And that’s my responsibility. That’s me and me alone. I take full accountability for that. I apologize for putting players on their back foot. But ultimately it was the right move for the PGA Tour. I firmly believe that as we go forward time will bear that out. It was the right move and obviously we’re now in a position with NewCo (PGA Tour Enterprises) that provides the opportunity to have productive conversations."

Oct. 19:  On the eve of LIV Golf’s final event of 2023, CEO and commissioner Greg Norman speaks with reporters publicly for the first time since the agreement was announced and says  he has "zero" concern about the future of the league , regardless of what happens with the “framework agreement."

“All indications are showing that the position of LIV has never been stronger and that the success of our players and our brand has never been in a better place. And as we look forward into 2024, we’ve got a full schedule. We’ve got some places we’ve been to before, but we’ve got some new venues as well and we’re reaching different regions."

Nov. 28:  Tiger Woods speaks publicly for the first time since the framework agreement was announced and he joined the Policy Board, touching a variety of subjects including outside Public Equity Investment in the PGA Tour, the Public Investment Fund and LIV Golf.  He calls the ongoing negotiations "murky"  and says "I would have to say there's a lot of moving parts on how we're going to play. Whether it's here on the PGA Tour or it's merging, or team golf. There's a lot of different aspects that are being thrown out there all at once and we are trying to figure all that out and what is the best solution for all parties and best solution for all the players that are involved.’’

He says during the week and again two weeks later at the PNC Championship that he is focused on a deal getting done or some resolution by the Dec. 31 deadline.

Dec. 7:  After weeks of speculation,  Jon Rahm is announced as the newest member of LIV Golf . The two-time major champion, who on numerous occasions had expressed his disinterest in LIV due to the format, among other things, makes it official in New York where he said the lucrative offer was difficult to ignore and he had come to terms with the format. He also said his decision had nothing to do with any animosity or issues wit the PGA Tour.

I am proud to join @livgolf_league and be part of something new that is bringing growth to the sport. I have no doubt that this is a great opportunity for me and my family and am very excited for the future. pic.twitter.com/myf4isJgJ3 — Jon Rahm Rodriguez (@JonRahmOfficial) December 7, 2023

“I’m forever grateful to the PGA Tour and the platform they allowed me to be on. I have nothing bad to say about them. They allowed me the opportunity to play in some great events and allowed me to make a mark."

Dec. 31:  The agreement deadline comes and goes but the PGA Tour says  there is "meaningful progress" and that negotiations will continue  into 2024.

Jan. 31:  The PGA Tour  announces the formation of PGA Tour Enterprises  in a partnership with Strategic Sports Group, a group of investors from a number of professional sports. The deal, worth $3 billion, is said to allow nearly 200 PGA Tour players access to $1.5 billion in equity over time. The deal states that it allows for co-investment from the PIF in the future.

March 12:  Speaking with reporters for the first time since August, PGA Tour commissioner  Jay Monahan said negotiations with the PIF are “accelerating”  and that he and PGA Tour Policy Board members met with Yasir Al-Rumayyan in January, but did not offer specifics.

May 9: Rory McIlroy reveals that he is part of a subcommittee including Tiger Woods and commissioner Jay Monahan that is tasked with working directly on a deal with the PIF.  The seven-man committee also includes Adam Scott, player liaison Joe Ogilvie, Joe Gorder, a board member from Valero Energy, and John Henry from Strategic Sports Group.

May 13: Jimmy Dunne, one of the architects of the June 6, 2023, agreement, resigns from the PGA Tour Policy Board . In a letter to the board, he wrote that “no meaningful progress has been made towards a transaction with PIF,” and that ever since players seized control of the board and cut him out of negotiations, “my vote and my role is utterly superfluous.”

Bob Harig is a golf writer for SI.com and the author of the book "DRIVE: The Lasting Legacy of Tiger Woods," which publishes in March and can be ordered here. 

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Meet the 12 players and captains representing team usa at the 2023 ryder cup in italy, share this article.

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Team USA.

After the conclusion of the 2023 BMW Championship the six automatic qualifiers for the U.S. team bound for Marco Simone Golf and Country Club and the 2023 Ryder Cup were confirmed. Following the Tour Championship, captain Zach Johnson announced his six captain’s picks that would join the team near Rome, Italy.

Of the 12 players on the roster, four will make their debut in the biennial event against the Europeans, who haven’t lost on home soil since 1993.

Get to know all 12 players and the captains who will represent the red, white and blue in the 44th playing of the Ryder Cup.

MORE: Check out Team USA’s Ryder Cup uniforms

Scottie Scheffler

Team USA’s Scottie Scheffler walks to the 11th hole during a Ryder Cup singles match at the Whistling Straits Golf Course Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021, in Haven, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)

Age: 27 World Ranking: 1 Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2021) Ryder Cup record: 2-0-1

The World No. 1 earned the first spot on Team USA and will make his second Ryder Cup appearance after a 2-0-1 showing in 2021 that included a Sunday singles win against Jon Rahm, 4 and 3.

Last season was  Scheffler’s coming out party as the Texan earned four wins, including his first major at the Masters, as well as four runner-up finishes and 11 top 10s. The 27-year-old has kept the party going this season with two more wins and an astounding 13 top-five finishes in 22 events.

Wyndham Clark

Wyndham Clark poses with the championship trophy after winning the U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country Club. (Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Sports)

Age: 29 World Ranking: 10 Ryder Cup appearances: Debut

Clark officially clinched his spot five days after Scheffler thanks to an impressive season that included seven top-10 and 13 top-25 finishes on Tour with wins at the U.S. Open and Wells Fargo Championship. He previously represented the U.S. at the 2014 Palmer Cup where he earned one point out of four and lost to Jon Rahm, 4 and 3, in Saturday singles.

Patrick Cantlay

Team USA player Patrick Cantlay reacts to his putt on the ninth green during day two foursomes rounds for the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Age: 31 World Ranking: 5 Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2021) Ryder Cup record: 3-0-1

Cantlay has been a menace while representing the red, white and blue, especially when paired with good friend Xander Schauffele. Each was 3-1-0 at the 2022 Presidents Cup, 2-1-0 when paired together. At the 2021 Ryder Cup, with both players making their debut, they were 2-0-0 in foursomes, and Cantlay rolled Shane Lowry, 4 and 2, in his singles debut to finish the week in Wisconsin 3-0-1, tied for the most points on the team.

Brian Harman

Brian Harman holds the Claret Jug after winning the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Age: 36 World Ranking: 9 Ryder Cup appearances: Debut

The reigning Champion Golfer of the Year has never represented the U.S. in the Ryder Cup, but he was a two-time member of Team USA at both the Walker Cup (2005, 2009) and Palmer Cup (2006, 2007) as an amateur. Harman has earned 12 top-25 and seven top-10 finishes on Tour this season, including three runner-up showings.

Max Homa of the United States Team looks on prior to the 2022 Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Country Club on September 19, 2022 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Age:  32 World Ranking: 7 Ryder Cup appearances: Debut

The fan-favorite was impressive in his Presidents Cup debut last fall (4-0-0) and Team USA will rely on Homa again in Italy. So far this season the 32-year-old has two wins and 11 top-10 finishes.

Xander Schauffele

Xander Schauffele celebrates after winning the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 26, 2021 in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Age: 29 World Ranking: 6 Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2021) Ryder Cup record:  3-1-0

Schauffele hasn’t missed a cut in 21 starts this season on Tour and has 17 top-25 finishes, including ten in the top 10.

Brooks Koepka

Team USA player Brooks Koepka poses for a photo during a practice round for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

Age: 32 World Ranking: 14 Ryder Cup appearances: 3 (2016, 2018, 2021) Ryder Cup record: 6-5-1

Koepka won the PGA Championship and finished T-2 at the Masters and T-17 at the U.S. Open to earn an automatic spot on the squad. In five LIV starts since his PGA win, Koepka has finished T-12, 3, T-17, T-38 and T-38.

Jordan Spieth

Jordan Spieth reacts to a putt on the second green during the morning foursome matches in the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in 2016. (Photo: Rob Schumacher-USA TODAY Sports)

Age: 30 World Ranking: 12 Ryder Cup appearances: 4 (2014, 2016, 2018, 2021) Ryder Cup record: 8-7-3

Spieth was a perfect 5-0-0 at the Presidents Cup last fall. Over 20 starts this season, Spieth has earned seven top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at the RBC Heritage.

Justin Thomas

Team USA player Justin Thomas reacts to his putt on the 9th hole during day one four-ball matches for the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits. (Photo: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports)

Age:  30 World Ranking: 26 Ryder Cup appearances: 2 (2018, 2021) Ryder Cup record: 6-2-1

Despite a down year that saw Thomas miss the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the 30-year-old earned a pick based on his team chemistry and impressive results in two previous appearances.

Collin Morikawa

Collin Morikawa and now wife Katherine Zhu at the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on Sept. 24, 2021, in Kohler, Wisconsin. (Photo: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Age: 26 World Ranking: 19 Ryder Cup appearances: 1 (2021) Ryder Cup record: 3-0-1

Morikawa was impressive in his Ryder Cup debut last go around and enters the event off a season that didn’t feature any wins but did include 10 top 25s and a pair of runners-up.

Rickie Fowler

U.S. Ryder Cup team player Rickie Fowler displays his new USA haircut as he practices on the driving range ahead of the start of the golf tournament in Gleneagles, Scotland, Monday, Sept. 22, 2014. (AP Photo/Scott Heppell)

Age: 34 World Ranking: 25 Ryder Cup appearances: 4 (2010, 2014, 2016, 2018) Ryder Cup record: 3-7-5

Fowler’s bounce-back year saw him finish runner-up at the Zozo before winning the Rocket Mortgage and earning eight top-10 finishes, including a T-5 at the U.S. Open.

Sam Burns watches his drive on the third tee during the final round of the 2023 BMW Championship. (Photo: Jamie Sabau-USA TODAY Sports)

Age: 27 World Ranking: 21 Ryder Cup appearances: Debut

Burns went 0-3-2 in his Presidents Cup debut last fall but proved he’s not to be messed with in match play with his win at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play in March.

Captain: Zach Johnson

Zach Johnson in a press conference during the Ryder Cup 2023 Year to Go Media Event at Marco Simone Golf Club on October 04, 2022 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

Age: 47 Ryder Cup appearances: 5 (2006, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016) Ryder Cup record: 8-7-2

Vice captain: Stewart Cink

Stewart Cink celebrates his putt on the 17th green during the opening round of foursomes on the second day of the 2010 Ryder Cup.

Age: 50 Ryder Cup appearances: 5 (2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010) Ryder Cup record: 5-7-7

Vice captain: Fred Couples

Vice-captain Fred Couples of team United States looks on prior to the 43rd Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits on September 21, 2021 in Haven, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)

Age: 63 Ryder Cup appearances: 5 (1989, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1997) Ryder Cup record: 7-9-4

Vice captain: Jim Furyk

U.S. Ryder Cup Captain Jim Furyk at the 2018 Ryder Cup at Le Golf National in Paris, France. (Photo: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Age: 53 Ryder Cup appearances: 9 (1997, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2012, 2014) Ryder Cup record: 10-20-4

Vice captain: Davis Love III

Captain Davis Love III holds the Ryder Cup at the closing ceremonies after defeating Europe at 2016 Ryder Cup at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minnesota. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/PGA of America via Getty Images)

Age: 59 Ryder Cup appearances: 6 (1993, 1995, 1997, 1999, 2002, 2004) Ryder Cup record: 9-12-5

Vice captain: Steve Stricker

Team USA captain Steve Stricker poses with Ryder Cup after the United State beat Europe for the 43rd Ryder Cup golf competition at Whistling Straits. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Age: 56 Ryder Cup appearances: 3 (2008, 2010, 2012) Ryder Cup record: 3-7-1

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Ryder Cup 2023: The Ryder Cup is broken, and there’s no easy fix

ROME — On Sunday, the Ryder Cup pulled off a neat little sleight-of-hand trick: it made us believe that a U.S. victory was possible. And maybe it was, but only in the sense that a 1-in-5,000 chance sometimes comes through.

In reality, while the final score remained unclear until the late afternoon at Marco Simone thanks to a series of desperate survival acts by the American side, the outcome was never actually in doubt. In fact, for a full decade, the outcome has never been in doubt.

We come today to mourn the soul of the Ryder Cup, but make no mistake: This is not an obituary. The Ryder Cup will survive in its current state of atrophy. It will be held every two years barring global catastrophe, rotating between Europe and the United States, attended by thousands of fans and months of hype and heaps of salvation money. But this weekend, in the Eternal City, on land from which once rose a great empire, we bid solemn farewell to the institution as a competitive, or even interesting , event. To borrow a Zach Johnson-ism, we've lost the Ryder Cup.

I've seen enough, and only fools let themselves be deluded for more than a decade. The fact of the matter is that the Ryder Cup has evolved into a malfunctioning affair in which the script is pre-written. The home team reigns supreme and has done so for five straight Ryder Cups, winning by gaudy margins. This will continue into the future—and there appears to be no practical solution that doesn't involve removing the Ryder Cup from its host nations—an obvious impossibility that wouldn't be desirable even if it could be done without hemorrhaging money (which it could not). In modern sport, there is nothing as predictable as a Ryder Cup; the drama is dead.

The current circumstances have been evident since 2014, when the Europeans won by five points in Gleneagles. But in the wake of the Medinah fluke, we weren't ready for the truth, and Tom Watson was a poor enough captain that you could plausibly blame bad leadership.

It became slightly clearer in 2016 at Hazeltine National, when the Americans won by six points, then again in Paris, when Europe bounced back with a winning margin of a seemingly ridiculous seven points. After Whistling Straits in 2021, when the Americans triumphed by a frankly embarrassing 10 points, the last pair of closed eyes should have been pried open to the cold truth of reality that the situation wasn't just dire, but was actively spiraling out of control.

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Instead, the romance of the Ryder Cup prevailed one last time. I am not the foremost Ryder Cup scholar in the world, but as the author of a book on the subject , I'm not at the bottom of the hierarchy either. But though I saw the Whistling Straits blowout with clear eyes, some combination of hope and naivete and perhaps desperation led me to predict a narrow American victory in Italy. When I say "hopeful," I don't mean any kind of hope for my home nation; I mean hope for a close Ryder Cup—the oxygen we needed. The prediction went against history and statistics and common sense, but as someone with a great deal of love for this event, I wanted to see it revived from the coma.

Of course, I was wrong. Here in Italy, the situation became so preposterous that for a moment Saturday morning, it was vaguely possible that Europe might clinch before the day was done. Then Patrick Cantlay dropped three miracle putts just before sunset to call forth another regular Ryder Cup tradition—the hollow glimmer of false hope. That brief renaissance—along with the buzz surrounding a spat between Rory McIlroy and Cantlay's caddie Joe LaCava —lasted the night before Europe snuffed out the last cinders Sunday and the Cup limped to its dull finish. We've reached rock bottom; who but the most fervent European partisans can actually think any of this is good?

We've fallen far. In the golden age of this event, from the moment Tony Jacklin resuscitated the European team in 1983 to the American comeback at Brookline in 1999, an incredible eight of nine Ryder Cups were decided by two points or fewer. Things changed in the 2000s, as Europe dealt the Americans a series of embarrassing losses, and our first taste of what was to come arrived in 2008, when Paul Azinger broke a long spell of clueless American leadership and led an underdog team to a resounding victory at Valhalla. Davis Love III reprised many of his lessons on a brilliant opening two days at Medinah, just before a historic European comeback gave us our last tight Ryder Cup. But after the Gleneagles massacre, America's eyes were opened for good, and starting in 2016 we saw the advent of both teams operating with an impressive level of competency.

Ironically, the American Strategic Awakening and the growth of the event into a golf juggernaut had the unintended side effect of ushering in the modern era, in which hordes of fans in a three-day lather watch smart captains exploit their home-course advantage to a devastating degree, to the extent that by about noon on Sunday, the matches are effectively decided, and the final singles matches risk playing out in utter, disheartening irrelevance. You can almost see the gaudy scores of the future laid out in a zombie procession, one after another, in a numbing pattern.

The mechanisms behind this phenomenon are not quite as easy to understand as they should be. Nothing matters more today than home-course advantage, and nothing is more predictive and definitive, as Joel Beall and Luke Kerr-Dineen chronicled ahead of the start of play this week. But what does that actually mean? Granular, logistical advantages are discussed, the most prominent being course setup. Maybe, the theory goes, the home team should no longer have control. It would be lovely to think that the solution lies there, because it's something the governing bodies could fix, and in fact I'd bet a hefty sum that they'll try at some point in the near future. But I'm sorry to say that a change like this is no more than cosmetic; the golfers are good enough, and similar enough, that the effect of a course tailored to one or the other team is always going to be marginal. To remove course setup from home hands is like firing a BB gun at a fighter jet; satisfying, maybe, but fruitless.

Jamie Squire

But if not the course, what's the true engine of the blowout era? For mysterious reasons, the actual lopsided margins tend to be a function of the foursomes sessions specifically , and perhaps there's a novel solution in eliminating this format from future events. It would be a bizarre fix, to be sure, and an unfortunate one, but maybe the only one actually supported by the numbers. Failing that, the only conclusion to draw is that with the advent of competent leadership in both camps, as captains turn into CEOs and accumulated wisdom mitigates the errors of the past, the big, overwhelming difference between the teams is the partisan crowds.

In other words: It's the fans, stupid. In a sport where the players aren't used to away games, the effect of having 50,000-plus fans vociferously endorse your opponent on a daily basis is apparently impossible to overcome. It may be that in 500 years, as the field of quantum physics blossoms, that we learn about an actual invisible atomic energy transfer between fans and golfers, wherein the will of the crowd influences results. This would explain the ridiculous, repeating phenomenon where the home team sinks long putt after long putt, sticks irons to gimme distance, and responds to any wayward approach by chipping in, while the visiting team seems to be magnetically drawn to every hazard on the property.

If I'm right that the crowds are the insurmountable hurdle to a competitive event, well ... in that case you're basically screwed, because they're not moving this thing to a neutral venue. "Ryder Cup: Argentina" or "Ryder Cup: Moscow" isn't happening. That means we're in the age of impasse, and there's no extracting ourselves from this quagmire.

That quagmire leads us to an inevitable pronouncement: The Ryder Cup is boring. Which is a great irony, because the lead-up to the Ryder Cup is about as intriguing and interesting as any subject in golf. Analyzing this thing is truly fun, and a parallel bummer of the evolution toward predictability is that you can't really go deep on the subject anymore. Sure, you can pick apart the course setup and the pairings and the strategy and various other logistics, but beneath it all is the sense that none of it actually matters . It all gets swept aside in the tidal wave of home-course advantage. Why waste time arguing? The home team is always going to win! Fatalism abounds!

I don't know the solution. I'm not sure anybody knows the solution. Or if we do, it lies down paths we can't travel. It bears saying now that the Ryder Cup has been on death's door before—after World War II, when an obscure American businessman revived it, at the advent of the European era when large sponsors were lost and Jacklin applied the defibrillator paddles, to name two—and has always found a way to survive. It must do so again, or this latest requiem, this eulogy for the soul of the dead, will become the definitive one. As they say just down the road from Marco Simone, requiescat in pace.

Which LIV Golfers Are In The 2024 US Open - And How Did They Qualify?

W ith Major season in full swing across both the men's and women's game, Pinehurst No.2 is gearing up to host the US Open between June 13-16.

156 players will tee it up at the historic North Carolina layout in a bid to add their name onto the long list of former US Open champions. A total of 12 of those will hail from the LIV Golf League.

The upcoming Major will feature among the lowest intake of LIV players since the breakaway circuit was formed - that is despite 35 of its roster opting to try and make it through sectional qualifying in the weeks leading up to the championship.

Only three LIV golfers qualified across 13 sites around the world - 10 of which were in the United States - adding on to the nine pros who were already exempt. A total of 67 golfers, either amateur or professional, earned their place in the field for the 2024 US Open via qualification.

But what about the LIV players? Who are the 12 professionals from the 54-hole league who are taking part at Pinehurst. Let's take a look...

GROUP OF RECENT PAST CHAMPIONS

The USGA hands out a 10-year exemption for winning the US Open, the shortest period for clinching a Major, and LIV players have won five of the past 10 US Open championships, starting with Martin Kaymer in 2014. 

Since then, Dustin Johnson (2016), Brooks Koepka (2017, 2018), Bryson DeChambeau (2020) and Jon Rahm (2021) have all hoisted the precious silver cup above their heads on Sunday.

As a result of these wins, first and foremost, the five aforementioned LIV players were included in the field this year.

Top-10 And Ties From 2023

Although he has won an Open Championship within the past five years which would have booked his spot anyway, Cameron Smith 's place at the 124th US Open was in fact secured via the second criteria on the USGA's list - the lowest 10 scorers and ties from the previous year's championship.

The Australian finished solo fourth on six-under in 2023, four shots back of eventual victor, Wyndham Clark.

Past Five PGA Championship Winners

Koepka is already exempt for the US Open via other means, but Phil Mickelson 's record-breaking victory at Kiawah Island in 2021 is now the method in which Lefty is into this year's US Open.

Mickelson has famously never won the US Open - needing a title to complete his personal Grand Slam - but has six runner-up finishes across his highly-distinguished career.

He recently discussed the prospect of retiring from playing in the not-too-distant future, and has previously gone on record as saying if he ever won the US Open, he would call it a day . You can't argue with that logic.

RACE TO DUBAI TOP TWO

Adrian Meronk is one of the newest LIV signings - having switched from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour in January 2024 - and finds himself with a US Open spot due to his high finish in the European Tour's season points list last year.

The Polish player - who was desperately unlucky not to make it onto Team Europe in the most-recent Ryder Cup - ended fourth in 2023 behind Rahm, Nicolai Hojgaard, and Rory McIlroy. Yet, with those three all exempt via other categories beforehand, Meronk was invited to Pinehurst No.2.

QUALIFIED AND ELIGIBLE FOR 2023 TOUR CHAMPIONSHIP

The final LIV player on its list of exempt golfers is Tyrrell Hatton - the man who moved over to join Rahm's Legion XIII shortly before the 2024 PGA Tour season began in earnest.

Hatton qualified for the Tour Championship last season and ended up finishing T16, which ultimately secured his place at Pinehurst.

THE THREE SECTIONAL QUALIFIERS

Eugenio Chacarra went through final US Open qualifying in Texas midway through May and secured his spot alongside nine others - including Francesco Molinari and SH Kim.

The Fireballs GC player was later joined by David Puig and Dean Burmester - both of whom have enjoyed a sparkling past six months or so via multiple victories and several high finishes on either the Asian Tour or in the LIV Golf League.

LIV GOLFERS IN 2024 US OPEN FIELD

• Bryson DeChambeau
• Brooks Koepka
• Dustin Johnson
• Martin Kaymer
• Cameron Smith
• Phil Mickelson
• Tyrrell Hatton
• Adrian Meronk
• Eugenio Chacarra
• Dean Burmester