Weekend Wrap - Off-Season Addition

So, Dear Reader, how was your off-season?  Thing is, as we get older, it seems to just fly by, felling like it couldn't possibly have been more than a couple of weeks.... And, yes, that specific joke is a bit of an annual ritual in these pages, although the Tour's threat to return to a calendar season puts that at risk.  Don't they know how few good bits I have?

Irish Eyes - Just a moment to reflect on that which makes sports so compelling.  We thought the floodgates would open for this guy after that magical week at Portrush, but reality intrudes:

Things were anything but ordinary this week at the BMW PGA Championship.

Lawsuits, barbs in the press, and geopolitics all had moments of topicality throughout the week at Wentworth, but on Sunday, the golf finally took center stage. And when the dust settled, Shane Lowry stood as the lone man atop the leaderboard.

“I’m so happy,” Lowry said. “I’m the happiest man in the world right now.”

Lowry’s sentiments were earnest and simple. It had been over three years since the Irishman had laid his hands on a trophy, and the drought was wearing on his psyche. But in a superb Sunday 65, Lowry quelled the negativity that crept into his head and bested a field of top players for a one-stroke victory.

It didn't seem to get much press, but Lowry was as adamant as that other fellow that hails from the same little island (but the word "countryman" doesn't quite fit):

The inclusion of LIV golfers in the field started the week on a tense note. Before a shot was even struck at Wentworth, the storylines were spicy. A lawsuit in the UK allowed for LIV golfers to gain entry into the field, and those who’ve remained loyal to the DP World Tour were not so happy to see their old pals — Lowry included.

“There are certain guys that I just can’t stand being here, if I’m being honest,” Lowry said. “I don’t like it that they’re here. To be honest, the one thing that has really annoyed me over the last few months is how disruptive they’re all trying to be. I get that they’re here to get world ranking points and do that, but in a way I think they’re here for that and to be disruptive.”

Disruptive?  Seems that's an awfully polite word for guys going out of their way to destroy your feed lot, Shane, but we'll circle back on that...

On this day, Lowry’s best was just good enough. With an eagle and five birdies — including at the par-5 18th hole — the Irishman posted at 17-under. And when McIlroy’s final eagle putt slid past the hole on the 18th green some 15 minutes later, Lowry finally claimed the crown.

The circumstances surrounding the tournament made it all the more sweet.

“I made no secrets how I felt about this whole thing at the start of the week,” Lowry said. “I wanted to go out and win this tournament for myself first and foremost. But also for this tour and everyone who’s stayed loyal to this tour. I really feel like this is one for the good guys.”

Shane has always seemed a good guy, although that might just be your humble blogger indulging in body-shaming, because aren't all fat guys jovial?  But he missed an obvious gloat, to wit, that he beat the LIVsters at their own game, to wit, LIV holes.

The Tour Confidential panel took on the presence of the rebels at Wentworth:

1. In the latest chapter of LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour drama, Jon Rahm, Billy Horschel and Rory McIlroy were among the PGA Tour players who spoke out about LIV players

competing in the BMW PGA Championship, which knocked some DP World Tour players out of the field and helped LIV players receive valuable World Ranking points. Do Horschel and Co. have the right to be angry with these LIV players?

Josh Sens: I understand why Horschel and Co. would be irked. These are heated times. LIV guys were technically within their rights to play. Were they honoring the game in the purest fashion? Hardly. But also hard to vilify them without running into some intellectual contradictions. On the emotional front, I’d probably save the anger for what Sergio Garcia did, taking someone’s spot, shooting a bad first-round score and then withdrawing with no immediate explanation. Lame.

Jack Hirsh: I understand Horschel spoke to several regular DP World Tour members before making his comments during the week. He definitely has a point and is qualified to talk about that as the event’s defending champion. However, I would have loved to see more of the regular DP World Tour pros, i.e., the guys who aren’t also regularly playing on the PGA Tour, speak up. I also think the bigger issue is how the suspensions of LIV pros on the Euro Tour isn’t resolved yet. It’s hard to fault the LIV guys for taking advantage of that situation since it was still available to them. Then again, like Bubba said last week about Augusta, why would they want to play in an event where they were clearly unwanted?

Josh Berhow: Absolutely, but at the same time, if you are one of these LIV players and earned a spot in the field, it’s your right to be there. The LIV guys know they need World Ranking points so it makes sense to be there and they earned a spot. But you can also be Jon Rahm and Billy Horschel and be annoyed at them. Both things can be true. As for Sergio, what a bad WD (even showing up at a college football game on Saturday), but I’m sure he’s not losing sleep over it.

Sean Zak: I’m not sure Billy Horschel gets to be the majority leader, but his opinion is shared by numerous others. I’m most interested in what G-Mac said during the week: that there should be a membership vote on if LIV players should be allowed to compete. While not really practical, it would sure be fascinating to see the results.

Yanno, I'm an old curmudgeon, but this whole debate is increasingly echoing our modern society.  Just a few years back professional golfers skewed conservative and demonstrated a flinty independence and self reliance that seems to have disappeared.

McDowell's suggestion has this superficial patina of reasonableness, let the majority decide.  Except, there are these limiting factors that, like good liberals, they simply will out of existence.  It's a cleaner example if we look at it from the perspective of the PGA Tour, only because the Euro Tour has become such an afterthought.  But if the LIVsters can't be prevented from playing events that compete with existing Tour events, then the Tour cannot meet its obligations to its sponsors, then end result of which is that they will no longer have sponsors.  

They tell us that they are relentlessly focused on growing the game, which I was surprised to learn can only be accomplished by destroying the organizations in which they built their own careers, a blindless indifference to those that come after them.  So,  when they say it's not about the money...

Not to worry, we'll get back to the despicable Sergio in a minute:

2. Due to the ongoing riff, the state of golf has made major headlines over the past year, but should the sport be worried that the constant bickering and jabs might hurt the game and turn off fed up and uninterested viewers?

Sens: I think it cuts both ways. In the ‘any publicity is good publicity’ sense, this has drawn a ton of new eyeballs, more than any non-Tiger-related story in memory. But there’s no doubt it has also turned off a lot of longtime golf fans. Too bad pro golf is such an important economic engine for golf. Because it’s definitely not the best or most interesting part of the game. The best parts of the game are the places it takes you and the people you meet. This past year has underscored that for me and a lot of golfers I know.

Hirsh: Absolutely not. Viewers love rivalry and controversy. Think about the ratings some of those Heat-Pacers games got in the early 2010s because LeBron and Lance Stephenson had such an intense rivalry. Now this isn’t the fabricated Brooks-Bryson rivalry. This is actual controversy, which it seems fans can’t get enough of. We didn’t get it this week, but it will no doubt happen soon enough where we see a LIV player in contention for a major, or potentially with a significant lead. Ratings will be through the roof.

Berhow: It can work both ways. I know people who hated watching golf 4-5 years ago when Tiger was struggling because the telecasts would show all of his shots no matter what, even if he was bound for a missed cut. That turned them off. But it also generated ratings because, well, it was Tiger. For every fan who is annoyed at golf’s constant bickering — and there are many — there are more who are intrigued by the constant consternation of the current state of the game. Part of me thinks majors, if LIV guys are still allowed to play (I think they will be), will be even more entertaining now since the two leagues will join together those weeks for some interesting sub-plots.

Zak: There won’t be enough bickering to make this an issue. Because there won’t be enough opportunities to bicker. This was a huge deal this week, but I don’t expect on-site tournament interviews to be as vital as they were this week. Players are about to settle in for the silly season.

Eyeballs, Josh?  Really, because those ratings have been predictably dreary, except in the case of LIV, where they've been non-existent.... Though I do very much like that back end of Josh's answer, putting these boys in their proper place.

There has been interest generated, but more on court hearings and awkward putting green confrontations than on the actual golf.  I don't really know who Jack Hirsch is, but he's a new name in these columns, but his sine qua non for intense rivalries involves the Indian Pacers and a guy of whom I've never heard?  I actually Googled Lance Stephenson becasue I'm quite convinced I have never heard the name...

But these guys seem to be going out of their way to miss the point. First, a significant portion of the universe of PGA Tour players have self-identified as selfish, money-grubbing nihilists, and I'm guessing that will hurt the game. Secondly, you've put the economic foundations of the Tour ecosystem, flawed as it's always been, under terrible stress. There's a butcher's bill coming...

As for the future?

3. The 2022-23 PGA Tour season begins on Thursday with the Fortinet Championship in Napa, Calif. As we turn the page to the next season, look into your crystal ball and predict how you see the LIV vs. PGA Tour battle playing out in the next year?

Sens: Not as much of a tug-of-war over talent. Feels like that fight has settled down, at least for the biggest names. I expect a smaller, underground skirmish over the amateur pipeline. But the most important battle (given that the antitrust stuff won’t likely be settled next year) will be over OWGR and access to the majors. If I had Fred Ridley on speed dial, I’d be willing to predict more.

Hirsh: Josh is right, it’s unlikely we see many more established pros not named Mito make the jump before the beginning of the next LIV season. I don’t see much changing from the end of this season until the court case finally gets settled. We’re going to continue seeing pettiness from both sides, especially at the majors, which I think it’s unlikely we see LIV players barred from. The main difference (and we’ll get a taste of it this weekend) will be seeing more PGA Tour and LIV going head to head in the same weekend. But even that won’t make that big of waves, unless LIV secures a TV deal.

Berhow: A few more players will jump — I think the last batch has kind of solidified teams for a bit — but I see LIV players being allowed in majors and World Ranking points granted for the new league. It even might all start to seem more … normal?

Zak: LIV players who are already qualified for majors will not be banned. However, the USGA AND R&A will alter their qualification rules for the next year of championships in slight ways to make the OWGR less necessary, making the LIV fight for OWGR points less necessary as well.

Boy, these guys are far more comfortable than your humble blogger that we've achieved some kind of stasis.  All I know is that every conversation about Cam Young or Hideki not going ends with the words, "for now."

But, setting aside the majors for a moment (as well as the obvious OWGR fight), this is a critical few months for Kubla Jay and the Tour.  I'd love to have some actual LIV data, i.e., what they've spent and what they've committed, but all we know is that the PIF has committed $2 billion large to the effort.  But what has this money bought so far?  The answer is nothing much, as they still cannot fill a field that's of sufficient strength to interest a golf fan.  

Are they content to go into their 14-event 20223 schedule with this field?  I can't imagine that, so one assumes that they continue to add zeros to their offers.  The Tour has apparently made some progress, as they have an actual schedule on their website, including the important ZoZo, which we can call the Hideki Invitational.  It means little to an American audience, but it's a big hold for Jay.

Our Sergio - With Robert Allenby in semi-retirement, can we just skip the preliminaries and declare Sergio the GOAT a*****e?  But who would you want to explicate Sergio's history?  Don't know about you, but I'm thinking that this demands Eamon Lynch's attention, and we all know that great minds think alike:

However implausible it may seem now, once upon a time Sergio Garcia enjoyed a reputation that was, if not quite the gold standard, then at least a couple of notches above junk status. That was

when he was a teenage phenom scissor-kicking down the fairway in pursuit of Tiger Woods, when success — particularly in major championships — seemed not only assured but imminent. In the almost 20 years that elapsed before that major win finally came, Garcia didn’t mature, his only growth apparent in a disposition that became more sullen, more entitled, more petulant and more unprofessional.

The data set for Garcia’s dickish behavior was augmented right up until his final regular event on the PGA Tour, where he has earned more than $54 million, before bonuses. At May’s Wells Fargo Championship, he bellyached about an unfair ruling before announcing, “I can’t wait to leave this tour. I can’t wait to get out of here … ” His words fell like a welcome rain on the usually arid world of rules officials.

Amusingly, also not especially bright, as he's insulting the very rules officials that will govern both LIV and the majors....Of course, the delicious irony is that he'll be spending time at Royal Greens, where the, checking notes, greens weren't to his taste: 

Garcia decamped to LIV Golf with a lengthy résumé of gauche antics, select lowlights of which include flinging his shoe into a gallery, flipping off spectators, spitting into the cup, and getting booted from a tournament in Saudi Arabia for defacing five greens during an extended conniption (that he found the Saudis’ limit for unseemly conduct is an accomplishment at least as impressive as winning the Masters). But like other LIV defectors, he wants to continue cherry-picking the most important stops on the tours he left behind. The BMW PGA Championship, for example, which was held this week in England.

But again, the self-importance and that relentless focus on growing the game:

The Spaniard had been asked about the chilly reception likely awaiting at Wentworth and his response sounded a note of selfishness that was wholly on-brand: “What I’m going to do is support the European tour and that’s all I can do. Whoever doesn’t like it, too bad for them.”

So, shall we look at how he supported the Euro Tour?

Garcia’s professed support of the DP World Tour has never been much in evidence at its flagship event, where he has appeared only twice in the past 22 years. On his last showing, in 2014, he quit after one round. If nothing else, this week indicated how little he has changed in the intervening years.

In Thursday’s first round, Garcia shot a 76 that had him firmly at the arse-end of the leaderboard. He was finished by the time news broke of Queen Elizabeth II’s death, which prompted a suspension of play and reduced the championship to 54 holes. When matters resumed on Saturday, he was announced as having withdrawn. A few hours later, he was sideline at the Texas-Alabama game in Austin, 5,000 miles from Wentworth. He did not extend tournament organizers the courtesy of an explanation for his WD.

There were other WDs, but Garcia was the only LIV member to commandeer a precious spot in the field and then abandon it after 18 indifferent holes. His was also the only WD intended as a middle finger to the DP World Tour and its unwelcoming members. To interpret it as anything else demands a generosity that he has not earned.

He's an asshole, there's simply no other word for it.  But he's a bigger dick because of how he's been coddled over they years, and I'd like to go through Eamon's list and see what penalties the two Tours actually imposed on him.  Is that too much to ask at this point?

But Eamon's not done:

It’s futile to wonder if Garcia’s reputation among his peers will be hurt by this latest unprofessionalism since one cannot further diminish that which has already been rendered fecal. He ensured as much at the BMW International Open in Munich earlier this summer with a locker room tirade overheard by a number of players. “This Tour is s***, you’re all f****d, should have taken the Saudi money!” he was widely reported to have shouted.

“Amazing how fast you can lose respect for someone that you’ve looked up to all your life,” said a barely cryptic tweet by Scotland’s Bob MacIntyre shortly afterward.

“He fooled a lot of people for quite some time,” said a Saturday evening text from one person who has known Garcia well for his entire career, “but I think his true colors are now visible in glorious technicolor.”

 I haven't exactly been a Tiger sycophant over the years, but gotta admit that he nailed this one.  

This withdrawal should result in a long suspension from Keith Pelley above and beyond any suspension for playing the LIV tour.  It's about time that Pelley and Jay grow a pair but, more importantly, this nonsense about not disclosing disciplinary actions has to stop.  We now know these guys aren't all gentlemen, so lets see what's really in those files.

Our Patrick - Guess what, everything you've heard is wrong:

In the interview with the Sunday Times — which you can read in full here — Reed said he

needed to defend himself.

“Everyone who knows the true me knows it’s not this narrative that the PGA Tour and the Golf Channel have built,” Reed told the Sunday Times. “It feels like the media have painted me as this black hat, and they’ve just allowed that to keep on driving their clicks as well as the amount of income they can bring in from attacking me. They run with everything they can find or try to spin it in a negative way. It’s hard to even talk about it because of how fictitious it is. The malice and deceit to say something like that about somebody is just ridiculous.”

Continuing his thoughts on the lawsuit, Reed admitted to the Sunday Times that he’s brought on some of the attention himself, noting comments he made on Jordan Spieth and Jim Furyk at the 2018 Ryder Cup, but he also said he’s never cheated. Notably, Reed was penalized for brushing away sand from behind his ball in a bunker during the 2019 Hero World Championship, though he has maintained that he did not mean to skirt the rules.

Patrick, thanks for that clarification, I stand corrected.   But since you brought it up and you're such a great guy, then you'll have no issues with the following:

1. The immediate release of your full, unreacted PGA Tour disciplinary file, and;
2. Disclosure of the control of the Twitter account, UseGolfFactsNow.

For a man of the people such as your self, I'm sure you'll have no objection to those steps just in the interest of confirming what a great human being you are.

The best part is how much Patrick and Sergio deserve each other and what a favor they've done us to self-segregate.

Blogging schedule will be light this week, although I don't think much will be happeneing.