DRAMA SURROUNDS THE OPEN

By NEVILLE IDOUR

Despite their ongoing efforts to outlaw the LIV Golf spectre from the 150th Open Championship CEO’S Jay Monahan and Keith Pelley do not appear to have succeeded in their endeavours.

Together with the banning of Greg Norman for fear “ his presence would take the focus away from the heritage of the 150th Open” it may well have done just the opposite going by the reactions on various media. There seems to be a seismic shift with many voicing their distaste or disagreement with the actions of the PGA Tour and DP World Tour towards the perceived enemy.

So the latest developments will be watched and awaited with interest. Rory McIlroy has supported the decision to exclude Norman saying “I think the focus would have been taken away a little bit if he was here.” Then when asked, if he were a PGA Tour Board member would he vote to permanently suspend the LIV players his response was “ As to a vote I don’t think that should be in the public domain how I would vote.”

The 150th Open - Day One
ST ANDREWS, SCOTLAND - JULY 14: Rory McIlroy tees off on the 13th hole during Day One of The 150th Open at St Andrews Old Course on July 14, 2022 in St Andrews, Scotland. (Photo by Stuart Kerr/R&A/R&A via Getty Images)

Probably of more significance is the news that the PGA Tour is currently being investigated by the Department of Justice for engaging in anti-competitive behaviour against LIV Golf, by its actions in recent months. Players’ agents have apparently received enquiries from the DOJ’s antitrust division regarding player’s participation in other golf events. In regard to this it is worth recalling the DP World tour banned players from the Scottish Open but the International Dispute Resolution Centre, an independent legal body overturned that decision.

Also being considered currently is the application from LIV golf for their events to have World ranking points available for the players. With Monahan and Pelley both on that committee it may be a difficult mountain to climb. However, a refusal could see the Asian Tour growing in stature as the LIV players play on that tour for ranking points.

Then we had Tiger Woods finally having a long say on the whole scenario of players going to LIV and why would they give up what they had and why they would play an “easier” format that doesn’t require the same effort. While it is easy to agree with some of his reasoning, he seems to miss the fact that there are no golfers within cooee of his financial position, many who do not think the way he does and all appear to be adult enough to make their own decisions based on much thought and what they perceive is best for them and their families. As many of them have admitted the financial rewards played a part. I imagine the likes of Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka may have sported a wry smile when they heard the Woods epistle.

Many in the media have asked what would it mean for golf if a LIV golfer were to be Open Champion? No doubt Monahan, Pelley and R & A CEO Martin Slumbers will be praying fervently that it does not happen. There seems little doubt that it would be good for LIV’s profile and leave a bit of egg on a few faces. However that is hypothetical so let us focus on what could be the most enthralling four days of golf for many a year