Bravopilot I've said a few times before. He even has the Saudi logo on his golf bag. He's made/is making millions in Saudi Arabia. He designs/build golf courses there. He is a 'Golf Saudi' ambassador; for free? He'll do nothing that is free.
Facts.
https://destinationgolf.travel/gary-player-commits-to-inaugural-golf-saudi-summit/

Nicklaus is also making millions from that country, building golf courses.
A lot of people have their hands on Saudi money. Big names. Bigger than the golfers themselves, in some cases.

    I agree with Gary that 72 holes is arbitrary. Doesn't mean anything. A tournament could be six holes, or even just a closest to the hole tee shot on a par 3, provided everybody agreed ahead of time to what the tournament was going to be.

    I'm with him on the 18-hole round, too. I would be in favor of shortening a round to 14 holes, with a front 7 and a back 7.
    Just seems like a better choice. Leave the course before you are completely exhausted, and feel like you want to come back soon to play again.

    My wife's idea is three 6-hole tracks, so people can choose. People trying to get a bit of golf in after work could just play six. People who want to play more but don't want to spend all day could play 12. Hard-core golfers who want the whole 18 could go around all three tracks. I think it's kinda genius.

      rsvman2 isn't that why there is the option of only playing 9?? I for one play for my enjoyment, if that is 9 holes, 18, 27 or 36 holes. I can always go around 2x or more at the little course nearest to me. I think 9 is the minimum I will do. Not sure I want to play 6 or 12, sounds too short to me.

          Walterjn I think 9 is the minimum I will do. Not sure I want to play 6 or 12, sounds too short to me.

          12 sounds shorter than 9? That's where the conditioning comes in, we're told 9 or 18 is a "round" that's all we want to play. I'm the same, after 9 I have no interest in playing a couple more as they don't "count" for anything. Now if you're gambling with friends that's different or if I just hit balls on the 2 or 3 extra holes as practice that I could do.

            Just heard a snarky YouTuber talking about Freddie and his recent comments about Cam Smith and LIV. In his video he asked "When did Freddie go from Boom Boom to Boomer?"

            Giphy - Very Funny Lol GIF

            johnnydoom

            Everyone has an opinion and if you're even mildly famous, you have a stage to share it on. Who really gives a shit what anyone thinks about either side of the issue? Those guys should just STFU and play golf, as Par4QC said.

                sdandrea1 And redo their batting gloves between pitches.........I can't watch baseball anymore. Can't stay awake.

                I go watch the Little League game at the local ball field...lots more fun and sure beats watching the Pirates.....

                  sdandrea1 Hopefully they’ll implement the pitch clock next year. In our minor league games here it’s eliminated the gamesmanship between pitcher and batter for the most part.

                      johnnydoom

                      Yes! Our minor league team here has the pitch clock and a time limit for inning change. Game moves along nicely.

                          sdandrea1

                          Same here. And I can enjoy a nice day at the park with tickets, food, and beverages not requiring a loan to attend like the majors

                              wishbone not requiring a loan to attend like the majors

                              $18 beers........but it's a 20oz at Nats park. Fredericksburg Nats park is a fun affordable outing.

                                  Watching the tournament right now. A fair number of guys taking advantage of the shorts ruling, including Chase Koepka, Michelson (!), Westwood, Dechambeau, Na, and others. DJ sticking with long pants.
                                  Niemann in the lead with DJ and Gooch one shot back. Cam Smith is three shots off the lead in his first LIV event.