OT: 2023 Golf Thread

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
18,822
12,042
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For me, all this talk about PGA vs LIV is just noise. As a pure golf fan, the majors are great because we get to see all the best players in the world in the same field, and I hope the powers that be figure out a way to get that done more often. Wouldn’t it be great to see as much of the following as possible: Rahm, Scheffler, Koepka, Rory, DJ, JT, Spieth, Cam Smith, Rory, Cantlay, Schauffele, and others.
It’s already done. Those guys will be in the majors.
 
Jul 24, 2001
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What I found interesting about the whole LIV-PGA thing was that the more vocal supporters of LIV like Mickelson and DeChambeau wore some apparel with their LIV team logos on it. Koepka, however, did not. He wore his same plain Nike look he's worn for years when on the PGA Tour. Not that I think it means he wants to leave LIV but I get the impression Koepka doesn't really give two ***** about LIV or where it goes. He just wants to cash his checks, show up and win some majors. That's it. Guys like Mickelson and Poulter and Garcia and DeChambeau and Reed seem way more invested in where LIV goes than Koepka.

If LIV folded tomorrow, Koepka likely would shrug his shoulders, figure out what to do to get back on the PGA and just move on.

As long as he's healthy, he's a threat at every major he tees it up.
 
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RUScrew85

Heisman
Nov 7, 2003
30,054
16,939
0
What a great day 4 of the tourney. That PGA Pro guy hitting the Ace. His great attitude and his post round interview with the video from his home club. That's why I watch sports.

It never hurts to watch a contender hit a sand shot into the lip of the trap either. LOL
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
30,414
18,388
113
What I found interesting about the whole LIV-PGA thing was that the more vocal supporters of LIV like Mickelson and DeChambeau wore some apparel with their LIV team logos on it. Koepka, however, did not. He wore his same plain Nike look he's worn for years when on the PGA Tour. Not that I think it means he wants to leave LIV but I get the impression Koepka doesn't really give two ***** about LIV or where it goes. He just wants to cash his checks, show up and win some majors. That's it. Guys like Mickelson and Poulter and Garcia and DeChambeau and Reed seem way more invested in where LIV goes than Koepka.

If LIV folded tomorrow, Koepka likely would shrug his shoulders, figure out what to do to get back on the PGA and just move on.

As long as he's healthy, he's a threat at every major he tees it up.
Koepka said this multiple times over the years. He only cares about majors. Other events are for making money and prepping for the big 4.
 
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Jul 24, 2001
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Koepka said this multiple times over the years. He only cares about majors. Other events are for making money and prepping for the big 4.

Yep which makes perfect sense as to why he jumped to LIV. Less events, more money, can still play in the majors.

But he's also not invested in LIV like Mickelson. Mickelson has almost made this personal now between him and the PGA. He was bragging yesterday about how he knows stuff no one else knows that will come out after his interview with DOJ officials.

I don't think Koepka cares about any of this stuff. Just as long as LIV keeps paying him and his brother, he could care less about the rest. He's got major inclusion locked in with his majors wins so at this point, so he can stay on LIV and be fine or if he has to, he can go back to the PGA. He's burned no bridges, kept pretty much to himself since joining LIV and has kept out of the legal/media fray unlike others.
 
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Jul 24, 2001
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It was also crazy that when interviewing Rahm, the announcers pointed out that Koepka hits about a bucket of balls a week. Dude is just a majors machine when healthy.
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
30,414
18,388
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Yep which makes perfect sense as to why he jumped to LIV. Less events, more money, can still play in the majors.

But he's also not invested in LIV like Mickelson. Mickelson has almost made this personal now between him and the PGA. He was bragging yesterday about how he knows stuff no one else knows that will come out after his interview with DOJ officials.

I don't think Koepka cares about any of this stuff. Just as long as LIV keeps paying him and his brother, he could care less about the rest. He's got major inclusion locked in with his majors wins so at this point, so he can stay on LIV and be fine or if he has to, he can go back to the PGA. He's burned no bridges, kept pretty much to himself since joining LIV and has kept out of the legal/media fray unlike others.
+1
LIV is a great fit for BK and he has handled everything very well.
 
Jul 24, 2001
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+1
LIV is a great fit for BK and he has handled everything very well.

Probably also realizes that maybe there is a point or moment when he might want to rejoin the PGAT and why burn bridges?

One thing I did find funny after the PGA Champ were the LIV bots on twitter claiming that this proves LIV can develop and produce major champs. That's like saying the Phillies developed Bryce Harper. LOL. A four time major champ pre-LIV won another one post-LIV. Just seems like a great play won and would have done so regardless of the Tour.
 

MADHAT1

Heisman
Apr 1, 2003
30,630
15,607
113
Brooks is living the life now. Making massive bank and still winning majors. Great decision heading to LIV.
money-wise it was a great move and if the LIV folds he still will have that money and be able to return to the more prestigious PGA tour.
Talent like he has won't be denied.
But it's taken a PGA win to get his name back in golfing headlines
 
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Mikemarc

Heisman
Nov 28, 2005
69,077
17,735
97
What I found interesting about the whole LIV-PGA thing was that the more vocal supporters of LIV like Mickelson and DeChambeau wore some apparel with their LIV team logos on it. Koepka, however, did not. He wore his same plain Nike look he's worn for years when on the PGA Tour. Not that I think it means he wants to leave LIV but I get the impression Koepka doesn't really give two ***** about LIV or where it goes. He just wants to cash his checks, show up and win some majors. That's it. Guys like Mickelson and Poulter and Garcia and DeChambeau and Reed seem way more invested in where LIV goes than Koepka.

If LIV folded tomorrow, Koepka likely would shrug his shoulders, figure out what to do to get back on the PGA and just move on.

As long as he's healthy, he's a threat at every major he tees it up.

Brooks and Phill’s apparel companies dropped them. Hence the generic clothes. Brooks was never dropped by Nike..hence why he continues to wear them
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
30,414
18,388
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Probably also realizes that maybe there is a point or moment when he might want to rejoin the PGAT and why burn bridges?

One thing I did find funny after the PGA Champ were the LIV bots on twitter claiming that this proves LIV can develop and produce major champs. That's like saying the Phillies developed Bryce Harper. LOL. A four time major champ pre-LIV won another one post-LIV. Just seems like a great play won and would have done so regardless of the Tour.
LIV can only claim that if a LIV player wins a major for the first time.
 
Jul 24, 2001
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Brooks and Phill’s apparel companies dropped them. Hence the generic clothes. Brooks was never dropped by Nike..hence why he continues to wear them

I get that but figured you were onto to something. So I went back and looked at some of his LIV events and he doesn't wear LIV or team logo stuff there either. Just Nike.

Does Nike's contract with him prevent him from putting on LIV/team logos?
 

Mikemarc

Heisman
Nov 28, 2005
69,077
17,735
97
I get that but figured you were onto to something. So I went back and looked at some of his LIV events and he doesn't wear LIV or team logo stuff there either. Just Nike.

Does Nike's contract with him prevent him from putting on LIV/team logos?

I think so. Nike tells him what to wear
 
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Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
18,822
12,042
82
A tie for 50th place is the best in the world?
I’m surprised that’s your take. Does one tournament result make you a bad golfer? He did beat Brooks to win the masters right. He is also the most recent multiple major winner having won this year’s Masters and 2021 US Open.
 
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Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
18,822
12,042
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I know that. I meant more than just the majors (ie the Players, WGC events, Memorial, and others).
Remember, those guys want to see their families and don’t want to play that much golf. At least that was the reason they jumped to LIV.
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
18,822
12,042
82
It was also crazy that when interviewing Rahm, the announcers pointed out that Koepka hits about a bucket of balls a week. Dude is just a majors machine when healthy.
It was actually the Amanda telling Rahm that Block only hits a bucket of balls a week. Brooks is very serious about his game.
 

RU848789

Heisman
Jul 27, 2001
64,382
43,481
113
Don't really give a crap about LIV vs. PGA, per se, apart from low respect for people who would sell their souls to the Saudis - I just care about seeing all of the best players in the majors and that hasn't changed. Never been a Koepka fan, so was rooting for Hovland, but BK deserved the win. And yes, Block was the biggest story in so many ways. The ace and the putt on 18 were just so cool to see - great story.
 
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WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,358
21,741
113
I’m surprised that’s your take. Does one tournament result make you a bad golfer? He did beat Brooks to win the masters right. He is also the most recent multiple major winner having won this year’s Masters and 2021 US Open.
I was responding to your post where you put Rahm #1 based on the majors. Based off the first 2 majors this year Koepka is much better. Koepka has a 1st and 2nd. Rahm has a 1st and 50th. I'm surprised you put Rahm 1st. The math is easy. You act like Chamblee. No credit for the LIV golfers.
Did you see this exchange yesterday? Do you agree Koepka doesn't belong on the Ryder Cup?
 
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Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
18,822
12,042
82
I was responding to your post where you put Rahm #1 based on the majors. Based off the first 2 majors this year Koepka is much better. Koepka has a 1st and 2nd. Rahm has a 1st and 50th. I'm surprised you put Rahm 1st. The math is easy. You act like Chamblee. No credit for the LIV golfers.
Did you see this exchange yesterday? Do you agree Koepka doesn't belong on the Ryder Cup?
I did base it on Majors. I just didn’t base it on the last two. No doubt Brooks is on fire right now. But we all seen hot players flame out. No horse in the Ryder cup. The governing body should decide. Like I said before. The LIV guys don’t really want to play that much golf anyway.
 

Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,168
15,981
113
I was responding to your post where you put Rahm #1 based on the majors. Based off the first 2 majors this year Koepka is much better. Koepka has a 1st and 2nd. Rahm has a 1st and 50th. I'm surprised you put Rahm 1st. The math is easy. You act like Chamblee. No credit for the LIV golfers.
Did you see this exchange yesterday? Do you agree Koepka doesn't belong on the Ryder Cup?
Rahm is the best player in the world according to most golf fans.

He played poorly in the PGA but that doesn’t mean he isn’t the best player in the world.

Look at how up and down Rory, DJ, JT, Schaufele and Cantlay are. You should know this.
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,358
21,741
113
I did base it on Majors. I just didn’t base it on the last two. No doubt Brooks is on fire right now. But we all seen hot players flame out. No horse in the Ryder cup. The governing body should decide. Like I said before. The LIV guys don’t really want to play that much golf anyway.
The LIV golfers don't want to play that much golf? Hahaha. The only player complaining is Rory! Oops wrong tour.
So you ignore Rahm weekend? Let's stretch it out to career. Koepka is top 15 with 5 wins. Rahm is 47th with 2. Only one active player has more then Koepka. Phil who has just 1 more.
Career Koepka is blowing away Rahm. This year no question Koepka is better. Yet you parse out what works for you to not admit Koepka is the best golfer on the planet right now. I'm not surprised with your take Brandel...I mean @jtung230
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,358
21,741
113
Rahm is the best player in the world according to most golf fans.

He played poorly in the PGA but that doesn’t mean he isn’t the best player in the world.

Look at how up and down Rory, DJ, JT, Schaufele and Cantlay are. You should know this.
Another one. The best player right NOW, 2023 is Koepka. I do know this. When healthy nobody has been better in the big tournaments.
 

Jtung230

Heisman
Jun 30, 2005
18,822
12,042
82
The LIV golfers don't want to play that much golf? Hahaha. The only player complaining is Rory! Oops wrong tour.
So you ignore Rahm weekend? Let's stretch it out to career. Koepka is top 15 with 5 wins. Rahm is 47th with 2. Only one active player has more then Koepka. Phil who has just 1 more.
Career Koepka is blowing away Rahm. This year no question Koepka is better. Yet you parse out what works for you to not admit Koepka is the best golfer on the planet right now. I'm not surprised with your take Brandel...I mean @jtung230

I like how you went from the last 2 to career. I put him at 3rd right now. If he does well at the next Major, he can certainly move up to 1. But need a larger sample size. I mean he’s not even the number 1 player on LIV right now 😀.
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,358
21,741
113

I like how you went from the last 2 to career. I put him at 3rd right now. If he does well at the next Major, he can certainly move up to 1. But need a larger sample size. I mean he’s not even the number 1 player on LIV right now 😀.
You do understand how the rankings work? Apparently not!
You seem to be ignoring the glaring difference in their careers. You have to select it based on a year only. Talk about cherry picking
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,358
21,741
113

I like how you went from the last 2 to career. I put him at 3rd right now. If he does well at the next Major, he can certainly move up to 1. But need a larger sample size. I mean he’s not even the number 1 player on LIV right now 😀.
Funny how you going away from this year, as was the conversation you responded to and reach back just to the point of Rahms only other major. You also failed to answer the question of do you think Koepka should be on the Ryder Cup team. Your answer was a cop out! Do you want the US to have the best players or have you gone complete Brandel Chamblee?
 
Jul 24, 2001
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The LIV golfers don't want to play that much golf? Hahaha. The only player complaining is Rory! Oops wrong tour.
So you ignore Rahm weekend? Let's stretch it out to career. Koepka is top 15 with 5 wins. Rahm is 47th with 2. Only one active player has more then Koepka. Phil who has just 1 more.
Career Koepka is blowing away Rahm. This year no question Koepka is better. Yet you parse out what works for you to not admit Koepka is the best golfer on the planet right now. I'm not surprised with your take Brandel...I mean @jtung230

Ummm, yeah, when a few guys jumped to LIV they cited more family time, less events, not being forced to go to tournaments they had no interest in playing, etc.

But they got quiet when LIV expanded and will try to expand again.

At the end of the day many of these guys did as Varner said. They took the silly amounts of cash and will do whatever LIV tells them to do. That’s it.
 
Jul 24, 2001
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Funny how you going away from this year, as was the conversation you responded to and reach back just to the point of Rahms only other major. You also failed to answer the question of do you think Koepka should be on the Ryder Cup team. Your answer was a cop out! Do you want the US to have the best players or have you gone complete Brandel Chamblee?
If guys finish in the Top Ten for Ryder Cup points, they should be on the team. However, if a captain wants to not choose guys from LIV for the captain’s picks slots, I don’t have an issue with that.

Guys made a choice. Choices have consequences. If that means losing the ability to play in major PGA events, or in majors, or get picked for an open slot on a Ryder Cup team, so be it.
 

Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,168
15,981
113
If guys finish in the Top Ten for Ryder Cup points, they should be on the team. However, if a captain wants to not choose guys from LIV for the captain’s picks slots, I don’t have an issue with that.

Guys made a choice. Choices have consequences. If that means losing the ability to play in major PGA events, or in majors, or get picked for an open slot on a Ryder Cup team, so be it.
The best players should be on the Ryder Cup team, regardless of which tour they play.

That said, Zach Johnson should certainly choose Koepka for the team. I don’t see why Koepka should be excluded from the team.
 

WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,358
21,741
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The best players should be on the Ryder Cup team, regardless of which tour they play.

That said, Zach Johnson should certainly choose Koepka for the team. I don’t see why Koepka should be excluded from the team.
I just don't understand knowing the kind of player Koepka is why anyone "wouldn't have an issue" with not putting the best team together for the US Team. There is no rule from preventing Zach Johnson from choosing them, besides this absurd agenda of the PGA.
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
30,414
18,388
113
The best players should be on the Ryder Cup team, regardless of which tour they play.

That said, Zach Johnson should certainly choose Koepka for the team. I don’t see why Koepka should be excluded from the team.
+1
As Brad Faxon said, the Ryder Cup is about playing for their country, not their tour. Time for the PGA leadership to get over it and move on. Multiple tours can coexist.
 
Jul 24, 2001
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The best players should be on the Ryder Cup team, regardless of which tour they play.

That said, Zach Johnson should certainly choose Koepka for the team. I don’t see why Koepka should be excluded from the team.

Koepka is #2 in the Ryder Cup rankings right now and likely will finish in the Top 10. As I said, he should be on the team because he finished in one of the ten automatic slots (or will finish). However, I have no issues if a captain uses LIV as a factor in his two captain's selections beyond the 10 qualifiers. In other words, if the captain wants to give a slot to a PGA guy over a LIV guy with one of those two picks, I honestly don't have an issue with that. Those picks are subjective picks anyway as in the past, you've seen captains take experienced guys over ones playing better at the time, etc.

Again, when guys took the jump to LIV, they absolutely knew there could be potential consequences. If they believed Norman that nothing would happen to them, then they were stupid as Norman is a known snake and liar. But in taking the big cash payouts, there are consequences to decisions like that. I don't like what golf has become but I also understand that when one makes a decision sometimes there are consequences and outcomes that just don't go your way. If those consequences here are that LIV guys rarely, if ever, get picked as a captains pick for a Ryder Cup? Oh well.
 
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Jul 24, 2001
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+1
As Brad Faxon said, the Ryder Cup is about playing for their country, not their tour. Time for the PGA leadership to get over it and move on. Multiple tours can coexist.

Why does the PGA have to get over it? Why not also have Norman give a little here?

People like to couch this as just the PGA being the issue here but Norman is as big a problem as anyone. He wants the PGA to make concessions to his tour/guys. What is he willing to concede here?
 

Knightmoves

Heisman
Jul 31, 2001
30,168
15,981
113
Anyone who thinks that Brooks Koepka is not one of the top 10 players available for the US Ryder Cup team should state their case. If he isn’t selected for the team then Zach Johnson isn’t sending our best team to the Ryder Cup. It’s as simple as that.
 
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WhiteBus

Heisman
Oct 4, 2011
39,358
21,741
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Why does the PGA have to get over it? Why not also have Norman give a little here?

People like to couch this as just the PGA being the issue here but Norman is as big a problem as anyone. He wants the PGA to make concessions to his tour/guys. What is he willing to concede here?
The only concession the PGA should give us let them play both tours. With the same minimum as before. Screw Norman. It about the best players still being allowed to play. The LIV was never nor will be a threat to the PGA Tour. It's only threat and target is the DP. You should be able to figure that out. Too bad the PGA Commissioner can't.
As for your bizarre comment about the LIV expanding the number of tournaments wasn't because they are "forcing" them to play more. The 8 tournament schedule was put together before they knew that these guys would be thrown out of the PGA. Twelve is still less then the PGA requirements.
 

T2Kplus20

Heisman
May 1, 2007
30,414
18,388
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Anyone who thinks that Brooks Koepka is not one of the top 10 players available for the US Ryder Cup team should state their case. If he isn’t selected for the team then Zach Johnson isn’t sending our best team to the Ryder Cup. It’s as simple as that.
Brooks and DJ not in the top-10 of US players? LOL!

Patrick Reed is an interesting case. Very likely top-10 and he has been performed very well in past Ryder Cups.
 
Jul 24, 2001
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The only concession the PGA should give us let them play both tours. With the same minimum as before. Screw Norman. It about the best players still being allowed to play. The LIV was never nor will be a threat to the PGA Tour. It's only threat and target is the DP. You should be able to figure that out. Too bad the PGA Commissioner can't.
As for your bizarre comment about the LIV expanding the number of tournaments wasn't because they are "forcing" them to play more. The 8 tournament schedule was put together before they knew that these guys would be thrown out of the PGA. Twelve is still less then the PGA requirements.

Still unclear how a guy could (or even want to) play both tours with both requiring a minimum number of events.

Take Koepka, for example. Koepka has made it quite clear he doesn't really care outside the majors so would he want to play the 15 minimum PGA events (including majors) AND then also have to play the 14 LIV events (or 8). He hasn't played over 20 events in a year since like 2017, I think.

I think the other problem was Norman didn't want to be relegated to fall/winter knowing they would be up against college football/NFL broadcasts.