When majors become LIV Golf's counterattack 'weapon'

What PGA Tour officials once believed was one of the most valuable assets in the war with LIV Golf — an unofficial monopoly on majors — is now being turned into a strategic advantage by its rival.

After White House-brokered trade union talks collapsed in February, the PGA Tour has consistently taken a tough stance, showing confidence in its position in the fight with LIV Golf .

In the U.S. and many other parts of the world, LIV Golf has struggled to attract audiences, with Jon Rahm not having a major star leave the PGA Tour since 2022.

PGA Tour officials say LIV Golf has achieved its core goal of being a tool for Saudi Arabia to connect directly with Washington D.C. Once that diplomatic channel is established, and the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) is under pressure to cut spending, there is no reason for them to continue pouring money into a luxury tournament.

In addition, the PGA Tour has reason to be optimistic. Television audiences are up, and top stars are sticking around and continuing to dominate the big stages, notably Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. So the PGA Tour’s refusal to compromise with the PIF is seen as a deliberate, hard-line move, as if challenging Saudi Arabia to continue pouring money into a series of tournaments that are perceived to lack real competition.

Bryson DeChambeau has won the hearts of many fans.

But that strategy can backfire. The recent PGA Championship was a vivid example. The race at Quail Hollow eventually came down to three real contenders: PGA Tour’s Scottie Scheffler, and LIV Golf’s Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm.

And this is no exception. DeChambeau has been in the top five of the last six majors, notably winning the 2024 US Open at Pinehurst, where he not only won the title but also won the hearts of the fans. Brooks Koepka won the 2023 PGA Championship after finishing second at The Masters that same year. Joaquin Niemann, while not yet making a big breakthrough, is still a name of class capable of causing surprises at majors.

Augusta National, the venue for The Masters, has long favored experienced golfers, meaning Rahm, Koepka, DeChambeau and Patrick Reed will remain dangerous opponents for years to come, at least at Augusta.

And that’s a real headache for the PGA Tour. If LIV Golfers underperform at majors, the PGA Tour can confidently write them off as “deserters” who are slowly being forgotten. At that point, the huge checks from PIF will no longer be a threat.

The notion was once common, almost a myth, that those who left the PGA Tour would fade into oblivion in a less competitive tour. Paul McGinley once argued that Jon Rahm’s major decline was due to the poor playing environment at LIV Golf. But that argument has become increasingly weak in the face of recent resurgence.

Jon Rahm is in good form.

More dangerously, the PGA Tour is losing its "most powerful weapon in retaining players": major tournament spots.

This once-unquestioned advantage is eroding. This year, three of the four majors have established clear exemption criteria for LIV Golf players. At the same time, LIV Golf’s new CEO is aggressively lobbying for OWGR ranking points recognition, which would greatly expand the path to the majors. While OWGR approval is unlikely, serious conversations have resumed.

Against this backdrop, the once-united golf world is fractured by rule disputes, antitrust investigations by the U.S. government , and a controversial framework agreement between the PGA Tour and the PIF. After four tumultuous years, one thing has become increasingly clear: the people who run the majors are acting in their own self-interest. And for the majors, that means inviting the best players to compete, regardless of their background.

If that path continues to expand, the PGA Tour will face long-term consequences.

The argument about the “decline in form” of LIV Golf players no longer holds water. And the moral argument against Saudi Arabian money also rings hollow, when the PGA Tour itself is still negotiating for investment from PIF.

In fact, despite the PGA Tour’s growing viewership, only the four majors are truly global. Many experts argue that the majors define professional golf. And the PGA Tour does not control any of the majors.

As long as LIV Golf remains a consistent presence on the major rankings, they will survive and remain valuable.

Trong Dat

Source: https://tienphong.vn/khi-major-tro-thanh-vu-khi-phan-don-cua-liv-golf-post1745187.tpo