The controversial LIV Golf Invitational Series started near London on Thursday and almost no one cares about the actual golf.
How the rebel LIV Golf Invitational Series, bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and fronted by Greg Norman, intends to survive and thrive when no one is talking about the actual golf, is anyone’s guess.
That approach seemed to repel the attack from the Saudis, especially when Tiger Woods made it clear he would not join the breakaway. But after a bloody nose, Norman and his backers in Riyadh regrouped and came up with a different plan. Sergio Garcia, the Spanish 2017 Masters winner is there, as are European Ryder Cup stalwarts Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Lee Westwood. Outside of Johnson, and possibly Oosthuizen on his day, none are likely to win a tournament on the regular PGA tour any time soon.
The sport is awash with corporate funding and broadcast income and at least 400 players could easily be classified as ‘extremely wealthy’ by any objective measure. “Courts resorted extensively to the death penalty and people were executed for a wide range of crimes. Expecting them to make a lucid and coherent argument for playing in the LIV Series that doesn’t start with the words, “I did it for the money,” is not worth listening to. But they tried.