Why is The LIV Tour so Controversial?

The LIV Golf Tour is hosting it's first ever event this weekend after months of contention. The new tour has been mired in controversy for a myriad of reasons since it's inception. Here’s everything you need to know heading into this weekend.

It aims to take away premier golfers away from the PGA tour. 

Let’s start with the simplest reason.

The LIV has an impressive roster for its first event. Guys like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau will be present, with other major champions like Patrick Reed and Sergio Garcia in the mix.

The LIV tour is SHELLING out serious cash in order to get these guys on board.

Dustin Johnson reportedly signed a contract with a 9 figure signing bonus. That doesn’t include potential winnings, which are also HUGE. This weekend the individual winner will claim $20 million. Almost 10 times larger than the average 1st place on the PGA. 

With 8 figures on the line, it's hard to blame golfers for wanting to make the switch, but that’s not without friction from others. Justin Thomas said he was disappointed in Johnson for making a permanent switch to the LIV. 

Thomas, one of the best players on the PGA, isn’t the only one who feels this way (Rory McIlroy was pressed about the issue himself). The PGA has a good thing going by being the place where nothing but the best players in the world play. Something to disrupt that has to be upsetting for the more competitive guys. 

The PGA itself is naturally more upset than players, threatening to ban any golfer that participates in any LIV event. All eyes will be on DeChambeau, who said he will continue to golf on the PGA as well as the LIV. 

Golf is going to look a lot different

The LIV is going to be both a team and individual competition. Wait, what? Yep, there are going to be 12 captains that draft 3 other golfers and the lowest team score will individually earn $5 million.

At first it sounds exciting, until you realize it's just a gimmick that really doesn’t add much to the sport. Think of the double pass rule in XFL 2020, its just something to try and get people to watch. 

Also, all golfers will start at the same time teeing off on every 3rd hole. This could be exciting, or just a rule to entice other golfers cross sides. Only time will tell on this one. 

Phil Mickelson and The Saudis

Okay, let's get into the serious issues around the LIV. It’s backed by the Saudi government. Specifically, the Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, who has a malicious track record on human rights that includes torture and the use of executions. 

Let’s not forget he ordered a hit on journalist Jamal Khashoggi. This is a sports blog so I will spare you the details, but the point is MBS is a very dangerous man and his money has blood on it. 

Then there’s that Phil Mickelson quote. “They’re scary motherfuckers to get involved with. We know they killed Khashoggi and have a horrible record on human rights. They execute people over there for being gay. Knowing all of this, why would I even consider it? Because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to reshape how the PGA Tour operates.”

So that’s a pretty ignorant, fucked up thing to say. 

These comments came out in February and some of the big names mentioned at the top backed off of their LIV commitments, but money talks and they are back in. Whether or not golfers should be held accountable is for you to decide.

Watch the LIV and support Saudi investments, or stay away and wait for the LIV to collapse.