Welcome to LIVbreathegolf the newsletter that starts mowing the grass in March. Don’t want the rough too long when you’re chipping over the driveway.

What we’re teeing up for you today:

• How will the new PGA Tour changes effect LIV Golf?

• Player Profile - Paul Casey

• LIV’s leg up on TV

• Greg Norman destroys TPC Sawgrass

How Will the New PGA Tour Changes Effect LIV Golf?

PGA Tour Changes Rundown

In case you missed it (although I don’t know how because you should have read this newsletter about it) the PGA Tour enacted some sweeping changes last week.

Those include 8 designated events that will have:

• Smaller field sizes of 70-80

• No cut line (best players guaranteed to play all 4 days)

• Increased purse sizes (if you’re the best you will get paid like it)

Which, if we’re being honest (are we ever not?), sound a lot like how LIV Golf is formatted.

In fact this week we have players coming out praising LIV for inspiring these changes. Players like Rory McIlroy, who led the PGA Tour charge to keep players from leaving the Tour to go to LIV.

So That Sounds Great…Right?

Maybe. But there are a few concerns that come from all of this, and I have yet to hear anything concrete about them. The whole situation is anything but concrete, but still…

The drama going on between the PGA Tour and LIV could actually be considered a good thing for a couple reasons:

1. The PGA Tour wouldn’t be up in arms over it if there wasn’t an actual threat. Titleist, I promise you, does not give a crap that Costco makes golf balls. Different markets, different quality, they don’t care. But the PGA Tour is worried about LIV Golf.

2. Any fuel that gets thrown on the fire just creates more fans and more die hard fans. Especially for a start up golf league funded by Saudi Arabia - all press is good press.

But Now The Top Golfers Are Happy

So the first round of top golfers gathered up their golf balls and told the PGA Tour to suck it. But why would anyone at the top do that now?

At least until they see it in action next year.

Most of their wishes are coming true.

• The top players have more say in how things are run

• Increased purse sizes, so a good chance they will be winning more money

• Bringing importance to full events as guys lobby to get into the designated ones

• Supposedly fans and sponsors will be happier with the newer, cleaner product

The first guys left because they had been fighting for these changes for years to no avail. Hats off to them many times for doing so, but where is the motivation for the next group of top performers?

Well There’s Always the Guys That Suck

It’s true, there has been some pushback from the lower echelon’s on the PGA Tour. They say the changes will make it harder for them to get into designated events and have a chance at playing for the bigger money. (Understandable from a personal perspective, but pretty short sighted for the game if you ask me).

The tagline going around is “play better”. Or to quote Full Swing “don’t get bitter, get better”.

That’s not really realistic though. A lot of guys are just going to get bitter. And then they need something to do.

It seems like an easy path would be for them to chase a career with LIV.

There is a system that they would have to go through to get in, but we would still rather see the John Rahm’s of the world (top of the golf rankings) than the James Hahn’s of the world (teensy bit lower on the golf rankings) battling it out.

Can Players be Banned For Teeing it up in LIV Qualifier

Last question is - what happens if a PGA Tour player tries to play in the LIV Golf qualifier?

Players are already indefinitely banned from PGA Tour events for joining LIV, I can’t imagine the Tour would just say - “Yeah go see if you get in. Good luck”.

So if it is the opposite approach then what players, even the bad ones, are going to risk being banned from the PGA Tour if there is no guarantee they will be accepted into LIV Golf?

There won’t be a lot of spots open for LIV. There will be plenty of people that want to get in. But that is a risky proposition to possibly be cut from two leagues. Then what do you do?

What it All Means

Let’s break down the important points again:

1. The PGA Tour will look a lot like LIV next year

2. Top PGA Tour players are mostly happy

3. Bottom of the barrel Tour players are not that happy

4. Any PGA Tour player could still be banned just for trying to play for LIV Golf.

Really this just brings more questions for me. And I think LIV Golf has some serious work to do in figuring out their relegation system and how these new changes and possible bans fit into that.

Maybe they still offer guaranteed contracts to guys over a certain rating?

Let Us Know What You Think

Reply to this email with how you think these changes will affect LIV moving forward and we will share some replies in a later newsletter.

Player Profile - Paul Casey

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.

Paul Casey is a member of Crusher GC who crushed the first tournament in Mayakoba. Casey finished off in 4th and was not far behind his teammate Howell (who took 1st). At home in England he owns a foundation at Foxhills GC, his childhood course, that helps children that otherwise may not be able to learn the game.

• Age - 45

• Birthplace - Cheltenham, England

• College - Arizona State University

• Plays From - England

• Turned Pro - 2000

• Joined LIV - 2022

• LIV Team - Crusher GC

• OWGR - 88th

LIV Owns Your TV

While the Arnold Palmer Invitational for the PGA Tour drew in a little over 3 million viewers on Sunday, it still left much to want from a golf broadcast.

It’s hard to say that LIV Golf has a lot of boring parts to it. Between it’s shotgun start and limited commentary there are almost always golf shots on TV.

Sure, there are some commercials now that it is on the CW, but those are pretty short and fit in like you would expect normal commercial breaks too. Sure, it can be a little hard to follow since there is so much action going on. Most are willing to look past that considering the league is in it’s second year and there is still so many golf shots played.

Action Was Missing For The PGA Tour Broadcast

We’re going to bring in some commentary from the No Laying Up pod to put this into perspective. A little background on their podcast -

• They do NOT like LIV or take it seriously at all

• They DO enjoy the PGA Tour and they are very knowledgable about it

• They did NOT enjoy the coverage this past weekend

Here’s what they had to say:

Hey, I appreciate their honesty. At the end of the day we all just want to see some good golf. They do go on to say The Players this weekend will be better. So maybe we will get some good golf in before Tucson still!

Take it and Run LIV!!!

This is the type of stuff that LIV is hopefully paying attention to. If they can get their TV game on point they can gain a lot of new fans.

Most people just want to see golf shots. I don’t grab the remote on Sunday and say “I can’t wait to turn on giant heads talking!”

NO!

I say “I can’t wait to turn on golf!”

So listen, LIV. Keep the golf coming and keep the cameras rolling because you’ve got a real chance her with production value.

Breakfast Balls

(Click on the links for more info)

The Majesticks are having a…. Boy! Just kidding, but they are having a cute driving range session where they all hit exploding blue golf balls.

Full Swing is coming back for season 2 on Netflix and filming has already started. We will see what their LIV viewpoint is, but either way it’s fascinating to see some of the inner workings of golf.

Greg Norman (LIV Golf CEO) owns TPC Sawgrass. In 1994 he shot 63, 67, 67, 67. Those numbers set the 36 and 54 hole scoring records and beat the 72 hole record by 6! Still stands to this day.

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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