Welcome to LIVbreathegolf the newsletter that sizzles like freshly cooked bacon in the morning.

What we’re teeing up for you today:

• Why isn’t Cameron Smith competing in the Players Championship?

• Player Profile - Laurie Canter

• Show me the money! - LIV gets sponsors

• Party hole

Why isn’t Cameron Smith Allowed at the Players Championship?

Cameron Smith

It is March 14th, 2022. A young Cameron Smith steps out of the clubhouse. One thing on his mind. Win.

And win he did. Shooting a -6 on the day, -13 overall. And beating out 4 other now LIV golfers at the same time. (Anirban Lahiri, Dustin Johnson, Harold Varner III, Paul Casey)

So Where is Cameron Smith This Year?

It is highly unusual for the previous years champion to not come back to defend their title. In fact it has only happened 3 other times - and those were all due to injury. (Jerry Pate 1983, Steve Elkington 1998, Tiger Woods 2014)

This is what he signed up for by joining LIV though.

As of right now all LIV Golfers have an indefinite ban from competing in PGA Tour events. The Players Championship is sometimes billed as the “5th major”, but a cute nickname isn’t changing the Tour’s ruling on LIV guys.

PGA Tour commissioner, Jay Monohan admitted “yes, it’s awkward” to not have Smith out there to defend his title. But there is also no way to let just him come back.

No matter how much it feels like a major, no matter how high the stakes, Cameron Smith will just have to watch.

In fact, maybe he will go in person

He joked earlier this week that walking around in the crowd “might be pretty funny”.

Smith does live nearby as well, why not swing by and cheer on some old buddies?

Should There be an Asterisk This Year?

There won’t be. But one does have to question are the best golfers really competing?

With 5 of the top 10 from last year now at LIV, there is a real possibility that at least one of them would be at the top of the leaderboard this year.

Some Rest and Family Time

So the LIV guys will be chillaxing this weekend. Spending time with family. Taking some naps. Maybe getting in a round or two?

Either way we are going to get some great golf this weekend before firing up all cylinders again in Tucson next weekend!

Player Profile - Laurie Canter

A lot of sports earn followings from loyalty to geographic locations, colleges, etc… This is your chance to learn about the LIV golfers and find who you connect with.

Laurie may not be one of the best golfers on LIV, but he may be one of the happiest. Just look at that smile. He enjoys Bath rugby (like the place in England, not in the bath), wine, and long walks on the beach with his putter.

• Birthplace - Bath, England

• Plays From - England

• Turned Pro - 2011

• Joined LIV - 2022

• LIV Team - Cleeks GC

• OWGR - 187th

New Sponsors - Good News

With sponsors, comes money. And I am sure that LIV golf can use some sponsors. Especially after spending $784 million without any of them last year.

Resorts World Sentosa Singapore has signed on to sponsor the upcoming LIV Golf tournament in Singapore on April 28-30. They will also be the official hotel of the event (in case you’re thinking of going to Singapore… Or already there)

The event will be played at the Serapong. The country’s number 1 rated golf course is said to feature fast and challenging greens, trademark contours, and signature holes.

Why It Matters

LIV has been missing something that the other tours have since it’s inception. And that is an inflow of sponsorship money.

They signed easy post this year and now Sentosa is the second big win for them.

These events cost a lot. The players cost a lot. The more they can bring in with sponsorships the more awesome they can make their events.

Sponsors also signal that LIV is gaining traction. Companies don’t want to throw millions of dollars into something they think is failing or people aren’t going to watch. As LIV continues to gain traction we should see more and more companies wanting to sign on and get their name associated with LIV Golf.

Team Sponsors? Owners?

Another popular topic right now is if the teams will eventually get sponsored or even bought. It makes me think of something similar to Nascar where an owner will have multiple cars and those cars also have sponsors.

It could be a huge opportunity for teams, or anybody that wants to throw their hat in to own one. (I’ll kick in a few bucks. Just let me know).

Breakfast Balls

(Click on the links for more info)

LIV Golf Adelaide is announcing a “party hole” for it’s Australian stop. It seems to be inspired by the Waste Management 16th hole and is basically a par three surrounded by stands and bars.

Jack Nicklaus gives his two cents on LIV and how it is changing golf.

LIV Golf players (including a JACKED Phil Mickleson) give an explanation of how LIV 2023 works. 

Meme of the Day

Don’t golf alone, Share LIVbreathegolf and get more people on the course

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.

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