It might not have the status or lengthy historical past, however golf’s LIV collection has already unsettled the institution and divided gamers.
The third occasion tees off this month at former US president Donald Trump’s National Golf Club in Bedminster, New Jersey, amid rising protests from survivors of the September 11 terrorist assaults who’ve condemned the golfers for participating within the Saudi-backed tour.
But whereas the brand new collection is courting controversy, with some branding Saudi Arabia’s involvement “sportswashing”, for these participating the rewards are simply too tempting. Several massive names from the US PGA and European tour have joined in current weeks, together with four-time main champion Brooks Koepka, 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and former European Ryder Cup participant Paul Casey.
Even for lauded gamers resembling Phil Mickelson — a six-time main champion and Hall of Fame golfer in his thirty first 12 months as a professional — the payouts are too engaging to overlook, with the Californian reportedly receiving a $200mn look payment.
In LIV’s inaugural occasion in England, South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel took dwelling a mixed particular person and group prize of $4.75mn for coming first — greater than all the cash he has gained from the majors, PGA or European excursions because the 2018-19 season. Schwartzel’s payout was greater than 1.3 instances what Cameron Smith took dwelling after profitable the 2022 Players Championship at Sawgrass, previously the most important purse within the sport, and 1.75 instances Scottie Scheffler’s reward for profitable the Masters at Augusta.
Financial Times evaluation of prize cash reveals {that a} quarter of the golfers that took half within the LIV collection have gained extra from the primary two occasions than they’ve because the 2018-19 season (or since turning professional if later).
The FT analysed prize cash awarded for the majors, PGA Tour, European Tour, Asian Tour, PGA of Australia, Japan Golf Tour, Sunshine Tour and the Korn Ferry Tour (excluding the FedEx Cup bonus and different one-off charges/prizes). Some LIV gamers might have earned further prize cash on different regional excursions that weren’t included on this evaluation.
For the decrease ranked golf gamers, the prize cash could be important.
American golfer James Piot, who solely turned skilled in May, earned a mixed $335,000 within the first two LIV occasions. Jediah Morgan, who turned professional in October 2021, gained $154,000 for tying in thirtieth place in London — $30,000 greater than what he acquired for profitable the Fortinet Australian PGA Championship earlier within the 12 months. He acquired $120,000 for final place in Portland.
Andy Ogletree, who spent six months recovering from surgical procedure in 2021, positioned final in London and acquired $120,000. He has gained a complete of $38,000 enjoying on the PGA Tour since turning professional in late 2020. Ogletree didn’t play within the LIV Portland occasion.
“If the PGA Tour is going to compete on dollars, in dollars alone, against a foreign monarchy that is trying to buy the game, that’s a very difficult spot for us to be in,” PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan informed the FT. “We’re 100 per cent focused, you heard me say this I think three times today, on creating the strongest possible competitive platform for the best players in the world.”
Both circuits have punished members who turned out for LIV. The PGA Tour hit gamers with suspensions and the European Tour imposed £100,000 fines on those that performed for LIV regardless of not acquiring approval.
The PGA and the European excursions are strengthening their alliance as a present of unity following the departure of a number of high-profile members to LIV.
Last week, they stated the PGA would enhance its 15 per cent stake within the European circuit’s media manufacturing firm, which was acquired for $85mn in 2020, to 40 per cent.
Increasing the monetary rewards on provide has been a precedence for each excursions. The European Tour’s whole prize fund for 2022 quantities to greater than $140mn, excluding the majors and world golf championships, up from its 2019 file of $130mn and bolstered by a title sponsorship with Dubai-based DP World.
The PGA Tour final 12 months launched its “player impact programme”, a $50mn fund reserved for golfers who “positively move the needle”, for instance by way of social media and promotional actions. It additionally set out plans to extend annual prize cash by 16 per cent to $427mn in 2022.
European Tour chief government Keith Pelley informed the FT final week that he had by no means been a “fan of purely paying appearance fees just for players to play”.
“The magic of this game is the essence of true competition, the legacy of established tournaments and the greats of our game and recognising them,” he stated.
“If certain players are involved significantly more in the promotion, significantly more in our social content and are driving television ratings, which again is a form of currency, then there’s a way of rewarding [that].”
Source: www.ft.com”