Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Midweek Musings - Opening Day Edition

I'll be blogging with the Dodgers-Padres on in the background.  Not exactly sure why they had to open their season a full eight days before everyone else, but it's Shohtime.

Closer to home, it's very much Spring skiing here in the Wasatch.  Temps up near fifty had me scrambling to find my sunscreen.  The snow's been a little funky, but gorgeous, cloudless days have mitigated that deficiency.  Just a few more days then we shut it down.

Getting To Know You... - Do you have Julie Andrews as your soundtrack?  

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.[Children Giggle]

Getting to know you,Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.

Yanno, it's not just the children giggling....

Cue the happy talk, as Jay reports to his constituents:

Then, as the sun set, an update arrived to PGA Tour players by way of a text from commissioner Jay Monahan: The meeting was complete.

“The conversation throughout was constructive and represents an important part of our due diligence process in selecting potential investors for PGA Tour Enterprises,” Monahan wrote. “This mirrors the approach we employed earlier this year as we evaluated an investment offer from the Strategic Sports Group.”

“During the session, Yasir had a chance to introduce himself to our player directors and talk through his vision, priorities and motivations for investing in professional golf,” Monahan said.

Is your BS detector in the red zone?  If not, you want to take it into the shop for a check-up....  Obviously Jay and Rory are reading from the same hymnal:

And, at least in McIlroy’s eyes, there’s a chance that such a deal could be consummated in good faith from both sides.

“Fundamentally he wants to do the right thing,” McIlroy said. “I think I’ve said this before, I have spent time with Yasir, and the people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice — Norman and those guys. I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing.”

“They’re a sovereign wealth fund,” he said. “They want to park money for decades and not worry about it. They want to invest in smart and secure businesses, and the PGA Tour is definitely one of those, especially if they’re looking to invest in sport in some way.”

Set aside Rory's rather stunning transformation, from profound concerns as to the source of the money to character witness for the guy that approves bonecutter invoices.  There's two obvious points to make here.  First, for all his influence, Yasir is only one guy, who serves at the pleasure and indulgence of one other guy, the notorious MBS.  I don't know what the half-life of a Saudi functionary is, but they seem to take Yasir's permanence as a given.  Were we in the private sector, we'd be looking to management depth behind him and an alignment with core investment objectives of the organization.  here, Rory and Jay are telling us it's all good because Yasir can pass as a Westerner....

The second misdirection is straight out of the June 6th playbook.  Did you catch that "park money for decades" bit....  Rory's far from the sharpest knife in the drawer, but again we're asked to believe that the PIF will provide billions of dollars to ensure that Patrick gets his, and want nothing for it.  As for the evidence that PGA Tour is "smart", we're expected to take that on faith....

I do think Jay has somewhat put the squeeze on Yasir with the SSG investment.  I certainly didn't think private equity money would be available with the LIV threat unresolved, so he has in the short-term limited Yasir's options.  My premise is that Yasir thought he would be the exclusive financing source for the Tour, and co-investing with Steve Cohen probably explains the delay.

The real question that Rory elides is whether the Tour can generate a return on investment for SSG and PIF, should they consummate a deal.  Patrick and his mates seem determined to grab any loose change available, so my sense is that they the use of this invested capital will be to fund losses, and at some point the SSG sharks will lose interest.  I still see it as a mechanism by which Saudi Arabia can seize effective control of the Tour, though the time horizon has lengthened.

I hope you enjoyed my Stalin meme yesterday, in reaction to Rory trying to maintain that Yasir doesn't know what's being done in his name.  Sure, blame it all on Norman, though obviously this guy didn't get the memo:

Yeah, pretty sure everyone involved is ignoring Rory by now....

The funniest part of this meeting was the cottage industry of folks tracking private plane movements such as this:

Crazy world, eh? 

Tuesday Takes -  Sean Zak must covet Dylan Dethier's Monday Finish feature, because he's got a me-too version, that admittedly has some interesting hot takes:

10 Tuesday takes: Rory’s ‘Churn’, JT’s TV time and golf vs. tennis

For instance, did someone mention Rory?

6. Rory wants churn because he’s 1 of 1

I wonder if it’s possible to have a week where we only ask Rory McIlroy questions about his golf, exclusively his golf, and nothing more. He seems to be (and maybe wants to be) stuck in this vicious cycle where one quote from last week follows him to this week, which incites a new quote that will follow him into the next week. There are new local reporters at every tournament he goes to ready to pounce on the potential for headlines about whatever he says next. (There isn’t another golfer on the planet dealing with this. And again, is it McIlroy’s own creation? Perhaps!) But last week, that quote had to do with the idea of churn, and how much of it McIlroy wants to see at the highest level of pro golf.

“I think the more churn the better,” McIlroy said at the Players. “This is supposed to be the most competitive golf tour in the world, and I think you should need to have to prove yourself over and over again.”

I wrote about a bit of what he means here, but the more I’ve thought about it, it becomes incredibly obvious why he’s allowed to be so publicly in favor of such churn: because never once in his life would he be in danger of being on the outside looking in. And he’s one of maybe a couple all-timers from this era who would never have to worry about proving themselves. Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth are not necessarily on the list! McIlroy recognizes this is an unpopular opinion because he knows how abnormal his skillset and consistency has been. Ten out of 15 seasons finishing in the top 15. Never once outside the top 60. He’s a consistency freak! Which makes it easy for him to have that opinion. He just needs to know that might engender some angst among his colleagues.

Quite the buried lede, Sean.  Rory didn't do himself any favors with that comment, but it basically reflecyts the mindset of the elite-player cabal that has seized control of the Tour.  But the "churn" is a misdirection.... These guys have internalized the LIV riches to mean that they don't have to compete against the riff-raff for the biggest purses.  Rory, who many mistakenly considered the conscience of the Tour, has totally signed on to it....

But.... is that good for the game and the Tour?  

Right, but has anyone noticed that those limited-field Signature Events Money Grabs have mostly sucked.  Whereas, having to compete against a full complement of strong players, those elite players came up with the goods.  

Why don't we listen to this guy, instead of Rory?

Because he's not saying what Patrick wants to hear....

Back to Sean, though not sure who he's courting here:

4. Patrick Reed must be annoyed

In the six months before Patrick Reed signed a contract with LIV Golf, he was playing very average golf. Something akin to 50th- or 60th-best in the world. In the last six months, Reed has been performing much the same, about 50th- or 60th-best in the world.

Only when he made that initial jump to LIV — back in June of 2022 — Reed owned exemptions into every event in the world he wished to play. And now, he’s currently slated to miss the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship. The man hasn’t missed a major since the 2013 PGA Championship — that’s 39 in a row — and barring any great performance at the Masters, is set to be on the outside looking in. Which is likely why he was playing the International Series Macau last week, finishing solo fourth and jumping his world ranking to No. 100.

One year, you’re locked in to every event around the world. Soon enough, you’re grinding out final rounds in an autonomous region of China, playing an Asian Tour event and getting a 59 dropped on you by someone named John Catlin. Live comes at ya fast.

Annoyed?  Or did you mean annoying?

Sorry, Sean, but you must be confusing me with someone that gives a s**t about PReed, though you don't seem very good at this connecting dot thing.  You note his desultory play, but seem to miss the import of that, to wit, that's exactly why these guys cashed the check.... He knows he sucks, and didn't want to bet on his own abilities going forward.  So, boo-friggin'-hoo!

Now this is an interest take on that rules kerfuffle last week:

1. Shame on Jordan Spieth

Thus far in 2024, there really hasn’t been anything quite as riveting as the McIlroy-Hovland-Spieth ruling from the first round of the Players. But it was pretty standard issue right until the moment Spieth spoke up. Spieth claims he overheard Hovland and came in to protect McIlroy from doing something incorrectly. (And in fairness, it was only a couple months ago that Rors made a brutal Rules error.) But the way Spieth did it completely undercut his point.

“Yeah, everyone that I’m hearing that had eyes on it,” Spieth said as he charged across the fairway, “which again is not what matters — is saying they’re 100 percent certain it landed below the line.”

No one was really sure about McIlroy’s ball, but Spieth was correct about one thing: the opinions of people watching with their naked eyes from across the fairway DO. NOT. MATTER. So why are they being mentioned?

Does that ruling become the story of the day if Spieth quietly walks over to McIlroy instead of shouting from the fairway? Does Harry Diamond speak up in such an antagonistic way, defending his man? Am I still thinking about this all, days later, if Spieth goes about it differently? Probably not. Spieth and Hovland didn’t help themselves (or any of us!) when they both skipped media availability following the round.

Boy, that's quite the hot take, but this will improve Patrick Reed's mood.  Apparently we're going to shame players for trying to protect the field?

The guys were all at sea about where Rory should drop, but how about a little shame for Rory for putting his playing partners in such a pickle.  None of them knew whether the ball landed above or below that red line, but Rory seemed to many of us to be using the uncertainty to give himself the best drop possible.  

That all-cap do not matter is just wrong, as they sue the observations of spectators and TV personnel all the time.  What Sean I think meant is that it's not dispositive, but Jordan had an obligation to protect the field and, while I don't think shame applies here, if it does it accrues to Rory.

Cause, Effect? - This juxtaposition amused your humble blogger:

Players Championship: Thomas, Spieth among stars who missed the cut at TPC Sawgrass

Followed by:

Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas highlight loaded field at 2024 Valspar Championship

Loaded, eh?  Just to be on the safe side, I'd watch their play on Thursday and Friday.... Because the show ponies haven't been showing, have they?

Sean Zak (in that prior piece) did give JT these props:

8. Pros need to lean in like Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas was rather annoyed with missing the cut last week at the Players. A week like that
comes and goes, and it feels like a lost cause. But there was something Thomas was did that made the week a net positive for his fans nonetheless — leaning in to TV appearances.

I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of what the Tour asks players to do, or what kind of appearance box this checks for Thomas with PGA Tour communications, but Thomas not only did a stand-up interview with Mike Tirico on the 17th tee (even hitting a shot) that appeared on NBC’s Today Show, he also did a walk-and-talk with Johnson Wagner during a practice round. It may not be much, but that involvement from one of the game’s biggest names is exactly what elevates a tournament to higher places. It’s hard to quantify, but more people connected with the tournament — if even in fleeting fashion — via this willingness. Net wins are net wins, even if they come during missed cuts.

It was Thomas, you may recall, was the first (and only?) pro to carry the “Bag cam” in his bag during last year’s Valspar Championship. For those you watched, it very much did not work as a broadcast addition. But the point is, they tried! Thomas was open to it, just as he was open to wearing a mic during the second round of the Masters last year. The more players lean in to ideas like this, the more likable the TV product becomes and the more fans feel involved with the sport they’re paying attention to.

That's a nice call-out, and all credit to JT for chipping in.  But it just leaves me wondering about his game, which is not in a good place.  Which also leaves me worried about Bones.   His last caddie gig was with a player the earned but didn't pay, whereas this one just isn't earning.

 

I'll be blogging with the Dodgers-Padres on in the background.  Not exactly sure why they had to open their season a full eight days before everyone else, but it's Shohtime.

Closer to home, it's very much Spring skiing here in the Wasatch.  Temps up near fifty had me scrambling to find my sunscreen.  The snow's been a little funky, but gorgeous, cloudless days have mitigated that deficiency.  Just a few more days then we shut it down.

Getting To Know You... - Do you have Julie Andrews as your soundtrack?  

Getting to know you, getting to know all about you.
Getting to like you, getting to hope you like me.
Getting to know you, putting it my way,
But nicely,
You are precisely,
My cup of tea.[Children Giggle]

Getting to know you,Getting to feel free and easy
When I am with you,
Getting to know what to say
Haven't you noticed
Suddenly I'm bright and breezy
Because of all the beautiful and new
Things I'm learning about you
Day by day.

Yanno, it's not just the children giggling....

Cue the happy talk, as Jay reports to his constituents:

Then, as the sun set, an update arrived to PGA Tour players by way of a text from commissioner Jay Monahan: The meeting was complete.

“The conversation throughout was constructive and represents an important part of our due diligence process in selecting potential investors for PGA Tour Enterprises,” Monahan wrote. “This mirrors the approach we employed earlier this year as we evaluated an investment offer from the Strategic Sports Group.”

“During the session, Yasir had a chance to introduce himself to our player directors and talk through his vision, priorities and motivations for investing in professional golf,” Monahan said.

Is your BS detector in the red zone?  If not, you want to take it into the shop for a check-up....  Obviously Jay and Rory are reading from the same hymnal:

And, at least in McIlroy’s eyes, there’s a chance that such a deal could be consummated in good faith from both sides.

“Fundamentally he wants to do the right thing,” McIlroy said. “I think I’ve said this before, I have spent time with Yasir, and the people that have represented him in LIV I think have done him a disservice — Norman and those guys. I think you got PIF over here and LIV are sort of over here doing their own thing.”

“They’re a sovereign wealth fund,” he said. “They want to park money for decades and not worry about it. They want to invest in smart and secure businesses, and the PGA Tour is definitely one of those, especially if they’re looking to invest in sport in some way.”

Set aside Rory's rather stunning transformation, from profound concerns as to the source of the money to character witness for the guy that approves bonecutter invoices.  There's two obvious points to make here.  First, for all his influence, Yasir is only one guy, who serves at the pleasure and indulgence of one other guy, the notorious MBS.  I don't know what the half-life of a Saudi functionary is, but they seem to take Yasir's permanence as a given.  Were we in the private sector, we'd be looking to management depth behind him and an alignment with core investment objectives of the organization.  here, Rory and Jay are telling us it's all good because Yasir can pass as a Westerner....

The second misdirection is straight out of the June 6th playbook.  Did you catch that "park money for decades" bit....  Rory's far from the sharpest knife in the drawer, but again we're asked to believe that the PIF will provide billions of dollars to ensure that Patrick gets his, and want nothing for it.  As for the evidence that PGA Tour is "smart", we're expected to take that on faith....

I do think Jay has somewhat put the squeeze on Yasir with the SSG investment.  I certainly didn't think private equity money would be available with the LIV threat unresolved, so he has in the short-term limited Yasir's options.  My premise is that Yasir thought he would be the exclusive financing source for the Tour, and co-investing with Steve Cohen probably explains the delay.

The real question that Rory elides is whether the Tour can generate a return on investment for SSG and PIF, should they consummate a deal.  Patrick and his mates seem determined to grab any loose change available, so my sense is that they the use of this invested capital will be to fund losses, and at some point the SSG sharks will lose interest.  I still see it as a mechanism by which Saudi Arabia can seize effective control of the Tour, though the time horizon has lengthened.

I hope you enjoyed my Stalin meme yesterday, in reaction to Rory trying to maintain that Yasir doesn't know what's being done in his name.  Sure, blame it all on Norman, though obviously this guy didn't get the memo:

Yeah, pretty sure everyone involved is ignoring Rory by now....

The funniest part of this meeting was the cottage industry of folks tracking private plane movements such as this:



Tuesday Takes -  Sean Zak must covet Dylan Dethier's Monday Finish feature, because he's got a me-too version, that admittedly has some interesting hot takes:

10 Tuesday takes: Rory’s ‘Churn’, JT’s TV time and golf vs. tennis

For instance, did someone mention Rory?

6. Rory wants churn because he’s 1 of 1

I wonder if it’s possible to have a week where we only ask Rory McIlroy questions about his golf, exclusively his golf, and nothing more. He seems to be (and maybe wants to be) stuck in this vicious cycle where one quote from last week follows him to this week, which incites a new quote that will follow him into the next week. There are new local reporters at every tournament he goes to ready to pounce on the potential for headlines about whatever he says next. (There isn’t another golfer on the planet dealing with this. And again, is it McIlroy’s own creation? Perhaps!) But last week, that quote had to do with the idea of churn, and how much of it McIlroy wants to see at the highest level of pro golf.

“I think the more churn the better,” McIlroy said at the Players. “This is supposed to be the most competitive golf tour in the world, and I think you should need to have to prove yourself over and over again.”

I wrote about a bit of what he means here, but the more I’ve thought about it, it becomes incredibly obvious why he’s allowed to be so publicly in favor of such churn: because never once in his life would he be in danger of being on the outside looking in. And he’s one of maybe a couple all-timers from this era who would never have to worry about proving themselves. Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth are not necessarily on the list! McIlroy recognizes this is an unpopular opinion because he knows how abnormal his skillset and consistency has been. Ten out of 15 seasons finishing in the top 15. Never once outside the top 60. He’s a consistency freak! Which makes it easy for him to have that opinion. He just needs to know that might engender some angst among his colleagues.

Quite the buried lede, Sean.  Rory didn't do himself any favors with that comment, but it basically reflecyts the mindset of the elite-player cabal that has seized control of the Tour.  But the "churn" is a misdirection.... These guys have internalized the LIV riches to mean that they don't have to compete against the riff-raff for the biggest purses.  Rory, who many mistakenly considered the conscience of the Tour, has totally signed on to it....

But.... is that good for the game and the Tour?  

Right, but has anyone noticed that those limited-field Signature Events Money Grabs have mostly sucked.  Whereas, having to compete against a full complement of strong players, those elite players came up with the goods.  

Why don't we listen to this guy, instead of Rory?

Because he's not saying what Patrick wants to hear....

Back to Sean, though not sure who he's courting here:

4. Patrick Reed must be annoyed

In the six months before Patrick Reed signed a contract with LIV Golf, he was playing very average golf. Something akin to 50th- or 60th-best in the world. In the last six months, Reed has been performing much the same, about 50th- or 60th-best in the world.

Only when he made that initial jump to LIV — back in June of 2022 — Reed owned exemptions into every event in the world he wished to play. And now, he’s currently slated to miss the PGA Championship, U.S. Open and Open Championship. The man hasn’t missed a major since the 2013 PGA Championship — that’s 39 in a row — and barring any great performance at the Masters, is set to be on the outside looking in. Which is likely why he was playing the International Series Macau last week, finishing solo fourth and jumping his world ranking to No. 100.

One year, you’re locked in to every event around the world. Soon enough, you’re grinding out final rounds in an autonomous region of China, playing an Asian Tour event and getting a 59 dropped on you by someone named John Catlin. Live comes at ya fast.

Annoyed?  Or did you mean annoying?

Sorry, Sean, but you must be confusing me with someone that gives a s**t about PReed, though you don't seem very good at this connecting dot thing.  You note his desultory play, but seem to miss the import of that, to wit, that's exactly why these guys cashed the check.... He knows he sucks, and didn't want to bet on his own abilities going forward.  So, boo-friggin'-hoo!

Now this is an interest take on that rules kerfuffle last week:

1. Shame on Jordan Spieth

Thus far in 2024, there really hasn’t been anything quite as riveting as the McIlroy-Hovland-Spieth ruling from the first round of the Players. But it was pretty standard issue right until the moment Spieth spoke up. Spieth claims he overheard Hovland and came in to protect McIlroy from doing something incorrectly. (And in fairness, it was only a couple months ago that Rors made a brutal Rules error.) But the way Spieth did it completely undercut his point.

“Yeah, everyone that I’m hearing that had eyes on it,” Spieth said as he charged across the fairway, “which again is not what matters — is saying they’re 100 percent certain it landed below the line.”

No one was really sure about McIlroy’s ball, but Spieth was correct about one thing: the opinions of people watching with their naked eyes from across the fairway DO. NOT. MATTER. So why are they being mentioned?

Does that ruling become the story of the day if Spieth quietly walks over to McIlroy instead of shouting from the fairway? Does Harry Diamond speak up in such an antagonistic way, defending his man? Am I still thinking about this all, days later, if Spieth goes about it differently? Probably not. Spieth and Hovland didn’t help themselves (or any of us!) when they both skipped media availability following the round.

Boy, that's quite the hot take, but this will improve Patrick Reed's mood.  Apparently we're going to shame players for trying to protect the field?

The guys were all at sea about where Rory should drop, but how about a little shame for Rory for putting his playing partners in such a pickle.  None of them knew whether the ball landed above or below that red line, but Rory seemed to many of us to be using the uncertainty to give himself the best drop possible.  

That all-cap do not matter is just wrong, as they sue the observations of spectators and TV personnel all the time.  What Sean I think meant is that it's not dispositive, but Jordan had an obligation to protect the field and, while I don't think shame applies here, if it does it accrues to Rory.

Cause, Effect? - This juxtaposition amused your humble blogger:

Players Championship: Thomas, Spieth among stars who missed the cut at TPC Sawgrass

Followed by:

Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas highlight loaded field at 2024 Valspar Championship

Loaded, eh?  Just to be on the safe side, I'd watch their play on Thursday and Friday.... Because the show ponies haven't been showing, have they?

Sean Zak (in that prior piece) did give JT these props:

8. Pros need to lean in like Justin Thomas

Justin Thomas was rather annoyed with missing the cut last week at the Players. A week like that
comes and goes, and it feels like a lost cause. But there was something Thomas was did that made the week a net positive for his fans nonetheless — leaning in to TV appearances.

I don’t pretend to know the ins and outs of what the Tour asks players to do, or what kind of appearance box this checks for Thomas with PGA Tour communications, but Thomas not only did a stand-up interview with Mike Tirico on the 17th tee (even hitting a shot) that appeared on NBC’s Today Show, he also did a walk-and-talk with Johnson Wagner during a practice round. It may not be much, but that involvement from one of the game’s biggest names is exactly what elevates a tournament to higher places. It’s hard to quantify, but more people connected with the tournament — if even in fleeting fashion — via this willingness. Net wins are net wins, even if they come during missed cuts.

It was Thomas, you may recall, was the first (and only?) pro to carry the “Bag cam” in his bag during last year’s Valspar Championship. For those you watched, it very much did not work as a broadcast addition. But the point is, they tried! Thomas was open to it, just as he was open to wearing a mic during the second round of the Masters last year. The more players lean in to ideas like this, the more likable the TV product becomes and the more fans feel involved with the sport they’re paying attention to.

That's a nice call-out, and all credit to JT for chipping in.  But it just leaves me wondering about his game, which is not in a good place.  Which also leaves me worried about Bones.   His last caddie gig was with a player the earned but didn't pay, whereas this one just isn't earning.

The State of LIV -  Just a couple of amusing items on which I'll exit.  I could have included this above, as the larger strategic challenges for Yasir include the fact that LIV, notwithstanding the billions invested, just doesn't work.  But perhaps we shouldn't sell them short, because Rory assures us that they have a vision for the future of golf.

LIV Golf partners with entertainment company to enhance concerts at events

Focused like a laser on the truly important stuff.... Can you say clown show?  I thought you could...

And for those that think they deserve OWGR points:

Anthony Kim misses first cut in 12 years at Asian Tour event in China

That's actually quite the funny header, riffing on the absence of a cut in LIV events.  But Talor Gooch thinks asterisks are warranted for beating this guy:

After back-to-back weeks playing for the no-cut events at LIV Golf in Jeddah and Hong Kong, Kim teed it up this week on the Asian Tour at the International Series Macau in China, continuing
his return to professional golf. However, a 4-over 74 in the opening round followed by an even-par 70 on Friday resulted in Kim sitting T-130 after two rounds and missing the cut by eight shots.

It’s Kim’s first missed cut in more than 12 years (sarcasm font).

His final-round 65 in LIV Golf Hong Kong was an encouraging sign, but his comeback is going to take longer than a handful of rounds. He wasn’t the only LIV golfer to miss the cut at Macau, as did Harold Varner III, Graeme McDowell and Eugenio Chacarra.

Who knew there was a sarcasm font.....  But if you don't want to be called a clown show, perhaps you shouldn't hire clowns.  I know, an idea so crazy it might just work.

That's it for today.  I'll see you when I see you.

 

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