Welcome to LIVbreathegolf the newsletter that tastes better than a chick-fil-a sandwich after a long round of golf.

What we’re teeing up for you today:

• LIV Relegation System

• The “Real” Way to Look at LIV Viewing Numbers

• LIV Mayakoba Payouts

• The Perfect Floor Plan for a House

How LIV Golf Plans to Retain Top Talent

LIV Golf League has released their relegation system

Now that the league is up and running, there was a question of how new golfers will come into the league and what to do with underperforming golfers currently in the league.

The Cut Line:

• The top 24 players (based on season long points) are automatically back in for the next season.

• 25-44 are put into a “transfer market” where they can be invited back to their team or traded to another team (as long as somebody wants them)

• 45-48 you’re fired! These guys get relegated and those 4 slots are opened up to new players

  • Some players do have contracts beyond 2024 already - if those guys are in the last 4 spots then the league keeps climbing the ladder until they find someone they can cut. And good for those contract guys getting the bag.

The 4 Newbies: 

LIV Golf League has developed a qualifying event that will be held in November after the championship event on November 5th. The “LIV Golf Promotions Event”.

3 new LIV Golf League members will come from that event.

1 new LIV Golf League member will come from the winner of the money list from the Asian Tour’s International Series.

LIV Golf Promotions Event

It is not going to be easy to be top 3 in this thing. It is setup as 4 rounds of golf with different cuts and different tiers of players entering in after some of the rounds.

Top 3 out of these 4 rounds get a spot for the next season of LIV Golf.

Round 1

• 18 holes of individual stroke play golf

• Consists of a wide field of eligible players from: NCAA winners, amateur winners, top finishers from International Series, top 200 OWGR (and probably a few more categories too)

• Top 20 (including ties) will move on to round 2

Round 2

• 18 holes of individual stroke play golf

• Consists of: Major winners since 2018, 2023 Ryder Cup and 2022 Presidents Cup, top 5 in International Series

• Top 16 players move on to rounds 3 and 4

Rounds 3 &4

• 36 holes of individual stroke play golf

• Top 3 players earn the right to play in the LIV Golf League for the next season

There will of course be more than 4 spots some years as players retire or move on (how much longer can Phil play?) but that is the general idea.

It won’t be easy to move into LIV now, but hopefully that system allows for the best to come in and to retain a highly valuable golf product.

Tune In

Turns out the LIV Mayakoba viewing numbers were better than they first appeared on Monday.

There was a lot of talk about a .2 Nielson rating and how that was not a great showing. With that, though, came the conversation around viewers on the CW app, international viewers, and how those numbers are actually calculated.

There are quite a few different takes on this. At this point I don’t even think it is worth quoting numbers because of how many different way there are out there to count them.

What Should We Take Away From the Discussion?

At the end of the day, all seems well. LIV Golf seems happy with the numbers and the crowd at the event (I mean I’m sure they want more, but you know what I mean). The .2 rating does not include all of the other ways to watch. The real numbers probably actually show a good amount of viewers and like the 2023 season is off to a good start.

The only thing left to do is to stop worrying about who else is watching and put the Tucson dates on your own calendar so you can watch!

Chart

You won’t believe what these guys make.

Even last place made $120,000. Quick math for 14 events that is still over 1 million dollars for coming in last place every time. Of course, you will probably lost your job… but still.

Never mind the cool 4 milly that Howell brought in for his first place finish.

And this is on top of their guaranteed contract money to come play for LIV anyway.

Really though, it makes sense. The best sports and the best players in the world get paid upfront and for hitting certain milestones. Why not golf?

Individual Mayakoba Payouts

Team Mayakoba Payouts

The team payouts aren’t too shabby either. When you win, everyone eats.

There’s an argument out there that LIV players have nothing to play for since they signed contracts to get paid upfront instead of only earning for the place they finish.

If 4 million dollars and writing their own history as it happens doesn’t get them fired up - I don’t think anything will.

To paraphrase Dustin Johnson - More money to play less. You’d have to be crazy not to do it.

Breakfast Balls

Check out this AirBnB. Why don’t they have “golf course” as a filter on there???

Individual Points standings after LIV Mayakoba.

Shoey! - At the end of your next round; take your shoe off, pour a beer in it, drink the beer.  

Meme of the Day

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Or copy and past this referral link: https://livbreathegolf.beehiiv.com/subscribe

For sharing you get…something???

Is my undying gratitude enough? If people actually start reading this maybe you will get a sticker or a trip to the LIV Golf finals or something… who knows. For now, just know that I love you.

How’s my swing?

Have you ever tried to critique your own swing? Most likely you were sure you had the answer until you the next hole when you’re walking around in the woods looking for your ball you sliced again. Please help me out so I can perfect my practice and start hitting ‘em long and straight.

Bogey, bogey, par, birdie, par, par, bogey, birdie, par...