Again, there’s two issues at play here. One is the threat to the PGA Tours survival as the preeminent Tour for professional golf. The other is the morality issue with who is backing LIV Golf.

The former would be true if Elon Musk decided to start his own Golf Tour and compete with the PGA Tour. I would suspect the PGA Tour would react the same way.

The latter is the reason that gets most of the attention and imo rightfully so. And the PGA Tour is lucky in that regard. Because they have a large chunk of public opinion on their side because of who is funding LIV Golf.

    Sneakylong persona non grata

    If anyone thinks that tag is hurting any of the players, they are not paying attention.

    A lot of them have jumped ship and will reap a fortune, that they would never see on the PGA, or any other Tour. And, they do not have to play very often, be away from home. After all, it is 'just a job' for them, if you've done much reading about the players/listened to them yap.
    If they manage their money, they do not have to manage their game. Last is 120K + they can play like crap for 54 holes and still be a part of the winning team, that will further line their accounts. 'New school' is not coming for fame/history, they are coming for money/financial stability, for life. As long as they don't go all dopey, and start hiring agents/accountants/etc., they will make a literal fortune in just 1 year.

    Then again, I think very basic as to what would set up my life, if I were 1 of them. But even now, $1M should be able to set up even your grandkids, for life.

      Sneakylong of who is funding LIV Golf.

      Hell, the PGA could not exist, esp. as a 'non-profit', if it were not for the U.S. gvt.. In a way, they are backing the PGA.
      Is there much difference?

      Blind eyes, and such things??

          Par4QC

          Huge difference between how we view human rights and how the Saudi’s view human rights. But that discussion would be all about whataboutisms. And we know the goal of any whataboutisms argument is to delegitimize the criticism at hand. Have fun going down that rabbit hole. Lol

              Sneakylong Just saying, no country/'people' has been proven to be able to cast stones, with clear conscience. Even The Vatican. 😉

              So, what 'people' may do on their own, should never be a reflection of the country they rep, or go in to. Many, even from this forum, go in to countries that are suspect of heinous things.

                  Par4QC So, what 'people' may do on their own, should never be a reflection of the country they rep, or go in to. Many, even from this forum, go in to countries that are suspect of heinous things.

                  Is Berhard Langer still playing on the Champions Tour?
                  😉

                      Par4QC So, what 'people' may do on their own, should never be a reflection of the country they rep, or go in to. Many, even from this forum, go in to countries that are suspect of heinous things.

                      Rex would be banned from Golfbuzz if some of his heinous activities came to light!🤣

                          LIV golf is currently on local free TV from Hamilton Ontario (CHCH)
                          😮

                          Today I was able to find the actual LIV Golf feed on YouTube.
                          How come so few guys are under par?

                            Team Stinger kicking butt and taking names. Their players are currently first, second, third, and 11th.

                            For some inexplicable reason, there has been a vaguely jazzy song playing in the background through the entire broadcast. Weird.

                            They just put the camera on Oosthuizen off course, and the announcer says 'there's Branden Grace, currently in second place.... 'LOL

                            azgreg I hope he goes shopping now. For pants that fit.
                            'High water' pants went out long ago. and were only an 'accident' to begin with; not something deliberately worn.

                                Sneakylong The former would be true if Elon Musk decided to start his own Golf Tour and compete with the PGA Tour. I would suspect the PGA Tour would react the same way.

                                Of course they would have. The "morality" issue is a smokescreen. The PGA had no problem issuing releases to play in the Saudi Invitational or their Pro-Am in the past (or other ME sites with questionable human rights reps). Their moral compass only became engaged when confronted by a competing league.

                                There may appear to be two issues at play here ... but I think that's only from an outsiders perspective (cultivated by PGA controlled, or dependent, media - aka "stooges" 😜).

                                For the players jumping ship - yes, of course, it's all about the money (99.82%). But that was true for them when they joined the PGA as well. Were they all sellouts then, too, for not pursuing golf history as an amateur? Or staying on the Euro/Asian/whatever tour? I have no problem with their chasing money ... nor should the PGA, as that is behind their position/decision too.

                                I kind of wish, for curiosity alone, there were more names, and bigger names, than the 17 suspended - to weaken the PGA's stranglehold as the preeminent tour. Maybe that will happen eventually? But, IMO, nothing will change until then. The number and quality of player's they've lost so far are the equivalent of blowing the head off a mug of beer. 🍺

                                  DonM I think the Euro tour is really in a tough spot. They already seemed to be fading. They can’t afford to lose good players. So this new tour could hurt them badly. They almost have to allow the players to stay or join up, for their own survival.

                                  I don’t know what degree of solidarity they have with the PGA Tour.

                                  Seems they could steal the PGA Tour's thunder by allowing players to come and go. All the LIV players would then play on the Euro Tour to qualify for majors and even more PGA guys would jump for sure. The PGA Tour would be in dire straits.

                                    Spuzz Working together to try and keep their members/employees happy and not suspending them because they took a my way or the highway approach. They even adjusted the rules to allow it (less required DP Events for eg.)

                                    The only reason they did that is all their decent players would have jumped to the US tour where the money and prestige is. They didn't do it out of any caring for their players.

                                        Par4QC They are back, and deliberately this time. Sorry to be the one to break the bad news.