The Pga Tour wins the battle over the Liv Golf

Advertisemen

Some longed for it with all their might, others did not want it to happen even in painting. And only Jon Rahm avoided the great disaster. LIV Golf, the Saudi circuit that dynamited the centenary sport last year with a checkbook, caressed what would have been the first major for a player 'run away' from the PGA Tour. Brooks Koepka had it in his hands, who fell apart on the last day, and with no time left, other 'LIVeros' joined the party. It would have been a total coup in a sport that is going through an open war with two defined sides, but the first big one for the newborn circuit will have to wait.

The PGA, results

For the first time after the birth of the Saudi tour (June last year), a rarefied Augusta Masters was held due to the presence of 18 PGA 'deserters'. Among them, six holders of at least one green jacket: Sergio García (2017), Patrick Reed (2018), Bubba Watson (2012 and 2014), Charl Schwartzel (2011), Phil Mickelson (2004, 2006 and 2010) and Dustin Johnson (2020). Despite the strong tensions that have existed between members of both sides in the previous months, cordiality reigned throughout the week (not without certain side effects). A question hovered in the air: what would be the level offered by the LIV players, who have been competing in three-day events for a year, with guaranteed money whatever they do and in an environment that is much more leisure than competitive.

Among the 'LIVera' participation there were lights and shadows, as in any golf tournament. The truth is that, of the 18 that started the first major of the year (there were 17 quickly after the withdrawal of Kevin Na), 12 made the cut. Only Louis Ooshtuizen (retired on the second day), Sergio Garcia, Bryson DeChambeau, Bubba Watson and Jason Kokrak missed out on the weekend. However, it seemed that in the battle for the green jacket they were only going to have one representative, Brooks Koepka. Faced with the collapse of the Palm Beach player on the final day (he finished four strokes behind Rahm after starting Sunday with a four lead), two other LIV Golf references hit the ground running: Phil Mickelson, who finished tied for second with Koepka after a huge last round, and Patrick Reed, fourth. Of the first seven, three belong to the Saudi circuit. A good way to silence the doubts about his performance.

What did not arrive was the first major for the petrodollar tour, whose boss, Greg Norman, had promised a big party in case it happened. Perhaps a small asterisk could be put if one counts Cameron Smith's British Open, who won it last year to announce his signing for LIV a few days later. Be that as it may, Rahm emerged on Sunday as the savior of the PGA Tour, which was surely trembling at what it would have been like for a player on the rival circuit to win the most prestigious tournament on the planet. The Spaniard was able to drive Koepka mad, a cyborg when it comes to big tournaments, and saved the honor of his team. “The history of the sport is one of the big reasons why I play golf,” Rahmbo said in his speech. With his victory, the score already reflects 1-0 for the PGA in 2023.

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/wCG3hyT

Advertisemen

 Tennis