How has the LIV Golf-PGA Tour battle affected golf? A look at the Saudi-backed series’ impact on the sport
The giant legal battle between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf has greatly affected golf. Nor does it only divide golfers into two groups; it also comes with a lot of fights and ill-talk on and off the golf course.
The battle changed golf and affected the viewership, as besides golfers, audiences also have two different series to support.
Legendary golfer Greg Norman received brutal trolling and was slammed by people for investing in LIV Golf. Not only that, but people also denounced the players who joined LIV Golf.
Golfers who were friends for decades turned enemies in the blink of an eye. The relationship status between the golfers has changed.
Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods vociferously opposed the notion of Greg Norman supporting LIV Golf. At one point, McIlroy claimed in his interview that everything would get back on track if Norman resigned from his position.
He said:
“Greg needs to go. He needs to exit stage left. He’s made his mark but now is the right time to say, look, you’ve got this thing off the ground but no one is going to talk unless there’s an adult in the room that can actually try to mend fences."
He continued:
"If those two things happen, then things can happen. But right now, it’s a stalemate because there can’t be any other way. Hopefully, something can happen, who knows.”
PGA Tour introduces new changes to compete with LIV Golf
After the LIV Golf scandal broke, the PGA Tour faced existential issues. They faced stiff competition from the Saudi-backed series and implemented new changes.
The American tour has announced designated no-cut events that will take place in 2024. Earlier this year, the PGA Tour revealed that they would be having eight no-cut events, especially for the top-ranked golfers around the world.
Besides this, the PGA Tour has also increased the purses of their events, as money has been the dominant factor for golfers joining LIV Golf.
Players who joined LIV were barred from the PGA Tour but were luckily allowed to compete in major tournaments.
The controversial series players stumbled on the Official World Golf Rankings as the LIV Golf points were not added to the rankings list.
However, things are seemingly heading towards a better conclusion after they were allowed to play together at the ongoing Masters. At the Augusta tournament, many LIV Golf and PGA Tour players talked about one another and confessed that they didn't have bad blood against one another.
Speaking about the LIV Golf players’ 2022 Masters winner, Scottie Scheffler said:
"In the world of golf, I think it's definitely a little sad what's happening. It's kind of weird this week. I get to my locker, and my locker's next to Cam Smith's locker, because he's a past champ here, and he's not here. So it's a little strange, but golf will move on. I think this stuff just takes time. Things will heal and we'll see what happens. "
He added:
"All that stuff is not really for me. I can only show up and just try and play good golf, and I'm not going to LIV anytime soon and so it's not of a concern for me at the moment."