The resounding arrival of LIV and its millionaire defectors has not yet finished making gossip the world of golf. Near the house, the news did not find a favorable ear to Jean-Louis Lamarre.
Asked to comment on the decision of Dustin Johnson, Ian Poulter, Phil Mickelson and Greg Norman to leave the PGA Tour to join LIV for millions from oil, Lamarre was not kind to them.
The professional from the Club de la Vallée du Richelieu approved the PGA’s decision to ban them from the reputable circuit.
I think this is a good thing. These people have the right to make a living, but most of them are very wealthy people who make a living move silversaid Lamarre in an interview with Radio-Canada Sports.
With the same breath, Lamarre believes the PGA decision shouldn’t be easy to make.
” There are not many stars in this group [ils sont 17 visés par le décret de la PGA, NDLR]. It must be said that Mickelson, Poulter, Garcia and others are pretty much at the end of their careers. But it is important to act to protect the circuit and its sponsors. “
Not a threat
When asked if he fears for the future of the PGA or if the safety of the famous American circuit could be threatened by the arrival of a rival with a very deep pocket, Lamarre said he was not worried.
The PGA was under threat perhaps as much as the NHL when the WHA entered hockey. It looks a bit like this.
Lamarre said he doesn’t believe in the formula proposed by LIV, which puts a 48-player tournaments, individual and team game formula as well as simultaneous starts (gun shot).
” It’s not that serious. What a tremendous fortune available to players to give themselves credibility. I think it’s buying credibility, something the PGA has built up for almost a hundred years. “
.LIV also offers fewer and shorter tournaments and higher guaranteed profits than is done within the PGA.
Money in oil is an endless business. Every time we fill up, we pay a little for it, Lamarre said without explaining the repeated human rights violations in Saudi Arabia, the main supplier of money in the new circuit. The PGA needs to adjust a bit. Some players have already had complaints about the use of their image not being paid for by the PGA.
Subsequently, the American circuit made some adjustments by rewarding its members who were the source of huge demand for tickets or who sat fans in front of their televisions every Sunday afternoon.
This is the case for guys like Tiger Woods, Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy. We recognize that these players are sellingunderlined Lamarre.
The latter is therefore not afraid for the future of the PGA as long as it does not lose its stars to the benefit of the new rival league.
Aside from Dustin Johnson, they [la LIV] nothing really superstar. It may be a few years, but will people really watch it? I am notHe added.
Lamarre went back to the greed shown by individuals like Johnson, married to Wayne Gretzky’s son, who would have received a sum of between 125 and 150 million U.S. dollars to swap sides.
According to the veteran of the former Quebec professional circuit, this total represents more than what Tiger Woods has accumulated on golf courses throughout his career.
With information from Michel Chabot
Source: Radio-Canada
