- The 19th Hole
- Posts
- The Great Merge (PGA+LIV+DP)
What to expect in this week’s newsletter:
Read Time: 12 minutes
The history of golf just changed… let’s take a look at all of the pivotal moments over the past 2 years that go us here! (PGA/LIV/DP)
The best links from around the web!
Top picks for the upcoming week in golf (if anyone still cares at this point… sorry RBC, poor timing)
The world of golf just got turned on its head! Social media is on fire! But, before we dive in…
Golf LINKS
Play Better
How to SIMPLY Get PERFECT Hip Rotation (LINK)
Everything You Need To Know About Wedge Shaft Fitting At KBS Golf Experience (LINK)
Don’t “Hit Your Putts Harder” To Try And Make Them (LINK)f
When you hit a putt harder to try and make it, 2 things happen:
1) You make the relative size of the hole smaller
2) If you do miss, now your comeback putt is longer, increasing the odds of a three-putt.
Apply the proper speed.
More putts go in and less 3 putts 😃
— Jon Sherman (@practicalgolf)
7:25 PM • Jun 5, 2023
Get Fitter
Golf Strength and Conditioning: The 5 Pillars (LINK)
How To Add POWER to Your Golf Swing! (LINK)
7-Step ATG Mobility Routine (Plus 4-Step Shoulder Routine) (LINK)
Pure Entertainment
PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger causes 'contentious' players meeting (LINK)
Ever Heard of the Gear Effect?
Ever heard of GEAR EFFECT? This one minute will help you understand why toe hits typically hook and heel hits typically slice when hitting the big dog!
— Andrew Rice (@AndrewRiceGolf)
10:08 PM • Jun 5, 2023
Max Homa Always Bringing The Heat On Twitter
Now that we’re all friends, is it too late for us to workshop some of these team names?
— max homa (@maxhoma23)
4:14 PM • Jun 6, 2023
The Hole In One of The Week
The Great Merge
The drama between the PGA Tour and LIV golf over the past 2 years has reminded me a lot of Step Brothers.
2 sworn enemies who in an instant become best friends.
Although I am not sure the most outspoken PGA Tour players will be quick to welcome back the LIV defectors.
Across the board, the announcement of the merger is a positive for the golf industry as a whole (the players, the fans, and the business of golf).
No one is certain yet what the super tour will look like. What combination of individual events, team events, world events, etc.
Instead of speculating on what could happen, let’s dive into the key moments over the past 2 years that got us here.
Oct. 2021 - The Plan
In October of 2021 the first reports of official meetings between Saudi representatives and soon-to-be commissioner, Greg Norman, to outline the plan for a new league surfaced. No official details were released at this time.
Feb. 2022 - The Villain
Lefty’s comments about the Saudi-backed league are leaked from a new biography. The golf world explodes with mostly negative backlash toward Phil and any player connected with joining LIV Golf.
Also Feb. 2022 - The Tension Builds
Rory declares the league “dead” before it even gets started, Phil apologizes, and Norman writes a letter accusing Jay Monahan of bullying players.
May. 2022 - The Details
LIV announces details of seven 48-man, 54-hole invitational events, each with a team and individual competition and a prize fund of 25 million US dollars.
Tiger publicly states his disagreement with Phil’s beliefs on the new league.
The PGA Tour denies player requests to be released and able to play in the 1st LIV event in London.
June 2022 - The First Event
DJ and Mickelson commit to playing in the first event in London.
After play begins at Centurion, the PGA announces that it is suspending the players competing and will do the same for any other placers who decide to play in future tournaments.
Charl Schwartzel wins first every LIV event and takes home almost $5 million.
Brooks signs with LIV and joins a list that includes Phil, DJ, Bryson, Patrick Reed, and Ab Ancer.
July 2022 - The Lul
Henrik Stenson announces he will be joining LIV and loses his position as Europe’s Ryder Cup captain.
August 2022 - Lawsuits and Cam
A group of 11 LIV golfers file an antitrust lawsuit against the PGA Tour later to be taken over by LIV Golf.
The Open champion Cameron Smith officially joins LIV and says he couldn’t ignore the money and the opportunity to play in his home country of Australia. Joining him: Joaquin Niemann, Marc Leishman, Harold Varner III, Cameron Tringale, and Anirban Lahiri. LIV had now signed 6 of the top 30 in the OWGR.
Tiger and Rory host a players-only meeting at the BMW to discuss the ongoing battle with LIV.
September 2022 - The PGA Championship
DP World Tour CEO, Keith Pelley, passionately defends the tour.
17 LIV players compete in the major.
October 2022 - R & A Ruling
The R & A decides it will not band eligible LIV players from competing in the 2023 Open.
November 2022 - Norman Out?
Rory and Tiger both call for Greg Norman to step down as CEO of LIV Golf.
December 2022 - The Masters Speaks
Augusta National decides to allow eligible LIV players at the 2023 Masters.
January 2023 - LIV Golf League
LIV Golf International Series renamed the LIV Golf League and announces a 14-tournament schedule for 2023.
March 2023 - LIV Copycat?
PGA Tour approves a radical schedule change to reduce certain fields in elevated events and the removal of the cut in these events.
April 2023 - DP World Tour Wins
The DP World Tour wins its legal battle against 12 players who played in LIV events without “permission” from the tour.
May 2023 - The Old Guard
Stenson, Westwood, Sergio, and Poulter resign their DP World Tour membership to avoid further sanctions being imposed.
Brooks Koepka becomes the first LIV-signed golfer to win a major since joining the tour.
June 6th, 2023 - The Merger
Seemingly out of nowhere… The PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and the PIF agree to form a new unifying golf entity.
It is crazy to look back at all that has transpired in less than 2 years time in the world of professional golf.
To say that we are living through a pivotal moment in the history of golf would be an understatement.
It is hard to say what exactly this will mean for the future of golf… but as a lover of the game, I can only hope it further elevates what we come to expect as fans!
I feel bad for everyone competing at the RBC Canadian Open this weekend. It is going to be a challenge to focus on golf with the endless questions about the merger.
And it looks like the course is playing tough!
Who is your pick this weekend?!
This Week In Golf
Next Tournament:
PGA - RBC Canadian Open, Oakdale G&CC, June 8-11
The Line:
That’s it for today!
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