Sir Nick Faldo is once again criticizing LIV Golf and its commissioner Greg Norman.

For those who’ve been following Faldo’s condemnation of LIV since the inception of the league, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise.

The 65-year-old told Telegraph Sport that he had no issues with the players who’ve left the PGA Tour, but instead with the “false narratives that have been pushed by Greg Norman.

“I’m not against them. They decided the grass is greener on their tour. Fine. The gripes I get is when he [Norman] said these things about doing it to grow the game of golf.”

“We’ve all been here 40 years or more, hang on mate. And all this, ‘we’re going to supercharge the excitement’. Well, we haven’t seen any excitement because nobody’s watching. The fact is they got a ridiculous cash offer, which for some of them was the right thing to do.”

“If you want to go and do something different, fine. But this [playing in The Masters] is a bit like, I had a job in a store and now I’ve got a new one, then you’re calling the store to get my bonus because I did 20 years with you.

“Hey, the grass is greener on the other side and all that, so OK, don’t be surprised if people object when you come back. But as we said, it’s gone very quiet. So good luck changing the game.”

With Faldo being so critical of LIV, there will be an interesting dynamic at play during next week’s Masters tournament. Eighteen LIV golfers, including six former Masters champions will be teeing it up at Augusta National and Sir Nick will be once again in the booth with Sky Sports’ broadcast team.

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At Wednesday’s pre-tournament press conference prior to LIV Golf Orlando, Bubba Watson said that there’s no awkwardness between PGA Tour players and LIV players.

“It’s only awkward in the media. I’ve talked to people that are going to be there. I’m going to sign up with Jason Day and Cam Young in the par-3. Some guys have already asked me to play some practice rounds.”

“Media is the only one that is pushing it. I have nothing against anybody. If you change jobs, I’m not mad at you. If you start reporting for somebody else, hey, man, it’s a better decision for you and your family. Have at it.”

Brooks Koepka agreed, saying he sees Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas regularly with no issue.

“I think that’s one of the big things. Down in Jupiter, we see each other. I was just with Rory and J.T. yesterday, and I think Keegan was there. We see each other quite a bit. I mean, there’s a lot of conversations.”

However, according to Bryson DeChambeau, there is some animosity towards PGA Tour and LIV players.

In an interview with Golfweek, the big hitter said that he’ been “cut off” by a prominent PGA Tour player.

“I was always kind of a guy who did it myself so I didn’t have too much contact with too many players but we’re cordial. I’ve talked with Jordan (Spieth) numerous times at Dallas National, anybody that’s out there, Will (Zalatoris) I’ve had a couple of conversations with but no problems.”

When Bryson was asked if anybody had stopped talking to him, he replied, “Yeah, definitely, I’m sure you can guess who.”

The interviewer guessed that DeChambeau was talking about none other than Tiger Woods, and the 29-year-old confirmed that he was.

“Yeah, I’m not going to throw anyone under the bus. He’s been a great friend. I texted him on his birthday. It is what it is. He has his viewpoints on it and thinks we’re potentially hurting his record. If anything, nobody is ever going to touch his record. That’s just it, that’s the bottom line. There’s a chance to grow the game even more and I hope one day he’ll see the vision that we all have out here.”

DeChambeau continued, saying he didn’t miss much about playing on the PGA Tour.

“I miss nothing. I mean, I love the fans, I love the people who came to support me. I loved all that. We’re starting to get the crowds out here, slowly but surely. People are starting to get what the model is and people are starting to like the teams a bit. From what I can see, the general consensus is things are moving in a more positive direction and I’m pleased with that.”

It’s been a struggle for the former U.S. Open champion since joining LIV, as he’s yet to even sniff contention since his move.

DeChambeau will look to get into form in a hurry this week at LIV Orlando before teeing it up at The Masters next week.

More from the 19th Hole

• Pat Perez reportedly confronts journalist over ‘snarky’ comment at opening LIV event
• Paige Spiranac to take on PGA Tour legend in celebrity challenge match this Summer
• ‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?

Brooks Koepka, Bubba Watson and Patrick Reed all take part in this week’s LIV Golf Orlando, their own prelude to the Masters starting on April 6th.

So, of course, at Wednesday’s presser, they were asked about their preparations, what would happen if one were to win at Augusta and, naturally, about ‘Cone-gate,’ a recent incident involving Koepka, a traffic cone, and an insult hurled at NHL defenceman Aaron Ekblad. 

 

Is that Brooks Koepka calling Ekblad a fucking traffic cone from the stands in Florida??

?: IG/floridapanthersfp pic.twitter.com/LqolbAuYYt

— Missin Curfew (@MissinCurfew) March 26, 2023

Koepka, captain of the Smash GC team, was happy to answer the reporter’s question and had his fellow LIV players intrigued by his revelations:

Q: Brooks, sort of a viral clip from last week at the Panther game, I was just curious what’s your beef with Aaron Ekblad, and did you bring the cone from home?

Brooks: I did not bring the cone. He gave up a bad goal. It was a bad pass in the third. I’m a die-hard P’s fan, and he gave up a bad goal.

Bubba: What sport is this?

Reed: Hockey.

Brooks: Really?

Yeah, it’s all right. Yeah, he gave up a bad goal I think midway through the third, and I just felt like if they didn’t win that game, they weren’t going to make the Playoffs. Dedicated fan, man.

Bubba: What is that cone he’s talking about?

Brooks: There was a cone. There was a cone that was just outside, so I —

Bubba: Were you hydrated that night?

Brooks: Yeah.

Bubba: Now we’re getting to it.

Brooks: Absolutely. Listen, I’m a die-hard fan.

Bubba: Is your shirt on or off?

Brooks: It’s on.

Bubba: I ain’t gonna look at it then.

Brooks: But I’m a die-hard fan, man. When they do something good, I’m the first one to cheer them, I’ll text these guys.

Bubba: Did you not text him?

Brooks: I didn’t text him, no. I did not.

Well, Ekblad has since responded, and told Sportsnet’s Luke Fox that he doesn’t know Koepka and that they will “never be buddies.”

Aaron Ekblad, biting his lip, says he doesn’t know Brooks Koepka: “We’re not buddies. Never be buddies.” https://t.co/fPXmRy0LXF

— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) March 29, 2023

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• Pat Perez reportedly confronts journalist over ‘snarky’ comment at opening LIV event
• Paige Spiranac to take on PGA Tour legend in celebrity challenge match this Summer
• ‘That’s what everybody wants me to do’ – Is Anthony Kim about to make a sensational return to pro golf?