![]() ![]() Sporting merits are not cancelled, except for very serious reasons. The kindest comment I've read about it was "childish". The names of the 20 winners, Bubba Watson and Dustin Johnson respectively, were missing. During the broadcast, the director superimposed the list of past champions, as often happens in tournaments.Įveryone immediately noticed that the ranking was incomplete. (Photo: Alex Bierens de Haan/Getty Images) Kevin. Personally, I believe that these statements are partly related to an episode that occurred during the WGC – Technologies Match Play. Returning champs play well here Kevin Chappell putts on the 10th green during the first round of the 2023 Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio. “We have no intention of disguising or hiding anything” “As I have said several times, our job is to ensure television coverage of the tournament” “We will not treat players competing on LIV Golf any differently than any other player” "And whatever happens, which we deem interesting or necessary to broadcast during the connections on Saturday or Sunday, or any other day of the week, know that we will not hide our heads in the sand".Īlso present at the press conference was Sellers Shy, the CBS production manager, who responded thus to a reporter who asked him if CBS intends to "cheer" for some LIV players in order to push the event's audience : “We are not cheerleaders” “We just want to broadcast the tournament” "So, we will broadcast pictures of whoever is on the leaderboard, because they are all invited players to the Masters." An undoubtedly very incisive stance, especially considering the fact that it comes from CBS Sports, the media that has broadcast the tournament for 68 consecutive years, and which therefore has a privileged relationship with both Augusta National and the Pga Tour. USA Golf - Features, Events, Results Team USA USA Golf USA GOLF announces apparel partnership with J.Lindeberg Nelly Korda Wins Olympic Gold in Tokyo Latest News See More Winning is not. And here also the main media that will guarantee coverage of the event deems it appropriate to deal with the topic. This topic has been at the center of the attention of fans and insiders for a few weeks. During a press conference on Monday, Sean McManus, president of CBS Sports, speaking of the television coverage of the Masters Tournament, made some relevant statements.Īs we know, the next edition of the Masters will mark the return of Liv Golf players to the field. It is a way of saying that fits perfectly with what is reported by Golfweek. At best, it's a well-paid halfway house between the PGA Tour and senior events.Prevention is better than cure. If Mito Pereira and Thomas Pieters are the best LIV can do now, there is simply no way it can be called a rival. The initial wave of players who took the LIV payday was concerning enough for the PGA Tour to make some dramatic changes to its schedule, amp up the purses for its biggest events and ensure more money landed in the pockets of top players.Īnd now that everyone has seen what LIV is - and what it isn’t - the danger of significant defections seems to have passed. The ultimate legacy of LIV, beyond the mind-blowing amounts of money the Saudis are going to light on fire, is that it absolutely pushed the PGA Tour into action. If this is just a weekend hit-and-giggle, why are we watching? Even watching these guys play in shorts as opposed to the PGA Tour’s sartorial requirements gives off a vibe of unseriousness. Even with some big names in the field like Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka, LIV as a golf product just doesn't really measure up. ![]() Put the Saudi sportswashing connection to the side. The tension of trying to win a golf tournament is what sells the sport, not the bells and whistles that LIV has reduced to pure kitsch. It’s true that golf on television could use some sprucing up and new ideas, but there’s a certain rhythm and cadence to a Sunday when players are making moves and the leaders are trying to hold on. Oh, and as for the team results, which only add confusion to what should be a fairly straightforward competition, Bubba Watson said in a pre-round interview that the goal was “trying to sell T-shirts at the end of the day” and then couldn’t remember the tagline for his team, the Range Goats. Howell’s march toward victory - which could have been framed as a feel-good story on its own - almost seemed secondary to some of the set pieces and gags that LIV trotted out, like airing tweets praising the league and reigning British Open champion Cameron Smith drinking a beer out of a shoe. From the constant thump-thump-thump of electronic dance music in the background to the significant amount of time spent on the team aspect of LIV events to the disorienting shotgun start format, it’s just not a great watch. ![]()
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