Phil Mickelson will be diving into the game when the new LIV Golf professional circuit kicks off this weekend at the Centurion Club in suburban London. This is his first contest since January.
The American has been cautious since his comments last winter, when he said he was interested in the new league, even with the Saudis who supply him. is scary.
The left-hander has also not been kind to PGA authorities, calling the organization a dictatorship.
Since then, he has dramatically withdrew from the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship, a major tournament in which he is the defending champion.
New circuit, new format
Funded by investors from Saudi Arabia and led by former professional golfer Greg Norman, the LIV Championship will compete on the US PGA Tour by showcasing eight tournaments between June and October.
The first event was held in England. Five contests will take place in the United States, including two on Donald Trump’s assets. Only one stage will take place in Saudi Arabia, which will crown the individual champion of the circuit, from October 14 to 16.
One of the differences with PGA tournaments is that each stage will offer a team component, along with individual competition.
The finals of the tag team competition will be held in late October at Trump National Doral in Miami.
The new circuit has given itself the mission of modernize and stimulate professional golf through expanded opportunities for players and fans.
Thus, tournaments are held in three rounds (54 holes), instead of four, as on the PGA Tour. Hence the name LIVas in the Roman numeral 54.
Veterans in evidence
Only 48 players will be invited to participate in the tournaments and they are guaranteed to participate in all three rounds, as is the case with most tournaments in champion towerthe senior PGA Tour.
Moreover, evil tongues will say LIV Golf This is an introduction to the senior circuit, as most headliners are in their forties or dangerously approaching them.
This is the case of Dustin Johnson (37 years old), but also international stars recruited by Greg Norman, such as the Spaniard Sergio Garcia (42 years old), the Englishman Ian Poulter (46 years old) or the South African Louis Oosthuizen (39 years old). In addition to winning the British Open in 2010, Oosthuizen finished second on six occasions in major tournaments.
Dustin Johnson’s participation in the activities of the new circuit, despite the threat of retaliation from the PGA, has sparked a lot of talk.
Johnson has notably lost a major sponsor (RBC) due to his presence in London this weekend. While the former world number one is on the other side of the ocean, the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) will be holding its flagship event, the Canadian Open, in the Toronto area.
Graeme McDowell, less well known to Johnson, was also tempted to adventure. RBC clearly did not like that its spokespersons chose the Saudi currency at the expense of its national event.
PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan said its members who participate in events on a rival Tour could be penalized for playing, without Tour’s permission, in a competing tournament, which could result in fines, suspension or even expulsion.
On the other hand, the European PGA Tour does not plan to prohibit its members from participating in other events, even in the event of a scheduling conflict.
Source: Radio-Canada
