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These 4 big names are reportedly set to be unveiled as Saudi League players

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There has been a major development in regards to the Saudi Golf League, according to a report in The Telegraph.

Per the report, Greg Norman, the league’s CEO, is set to announce some of the names that will be joining the controversial Saudi-backed league.

“We’ve respected the Masters and let it go off, but now our journey is finally coming to fruition —for the players, not for me,” Norman told the newspaper. “Their rightful place to have what they want. That’s why they are still very, very, very interested. We have players signed, contrary to the white noise you’re hearing out there.”

Norman alluded to the fact that it’s been widely reported that none of the game’s big stars have any interest in straying from the PGA Tour, but claims that isn’t the case.

“The interest level we’ve had… well, I had a player who’s won a couple of major championships sitting in my very office here 48 hours ago.”

Among the players expected to join are two-time Masters champ Bubba Watson, along with European Ryder Cup stars Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter and well as five-time tour winner Kevin Na.

There are expected to be more announcements of golfers joining the $225 million golf league in the coming weeks.

According to the report from The Telegraph, the Saudi league was prepared two months ago to reveal a list of players set to join that included Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson before Mickelson’s comments to Alan Shipnuck created major backlash.

Norman admitted that the fallout from the Mickelson comments that caused a handful of PGA Tour stars to publicly speak out against the Saudi League was a major blow.

“It was a kick in the teeth, there’s no question about it,” Norman told The Telegraph.

Norman also expects more players to join after seeing how much money is up for grabs and how little competition there may be to claim it.

“Quite honestly, it doesn’t matter who plays, we’re going to put the event on,” he said. “There’s a $4 million first prize. I hope a kid who’s 350th in the world wins. It’ll change his life, his family’s life. And then a few of our events will go by and the top players will see someone winning $6 million, $8 million, and say ‘enough is enough, I know I can beat these guys week in week out with my hands tied behind my back’.”

The first the eight-event tour is currently set to begin in two months at the Centurion Club in St. Albans with multiple U.S. stops as well, including at Trump Bedminster in New Jersey.

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53 Comments

53 Comments

  1. Bob

    May 12, 2022 at 6:43 pm

    Good for Jamal Khashoggi’s fiancée to speak out against the LIV Bonesaw Tour.

    This was NOT a mistake Greg. Making an example out of a journalist as a warning to other journalists is NOT a mistake. It is terrorism. Saudi Arabia was the country “officially” most directly connected to 911. What a coincidence.

    Satan is rubbing his hands staring at you, Greg.

  2. Truth Teller

    May 2, 2022 at 5:07 pm

    We have dropped Nuclear Bombs on a country. LOL When Obama was president he dropped 100,000 bombs on the middle east killing thousands upon thousands of innocents. Same thing with GW. Bush. But you think the Saudi’so are horrific for keeping their women in line and throwing the odd gay off a building. It’s nothing compared to what we have done.

  3. PJ

    Apr 26, 2022 at 8:27 am

    It’s funny to read all the comments and fake outrage about Saudi human rights when not a word is said about China who is #1 in the world when it comes to human rights abuses. If you are against Saudi for their human rights abuses I can only assume you don’t use Apple phones or wear Nike products, all of which are made in China. I’m not condoning what the Saudis do but China is worse yet no one says a word. Tiger wears Nike gear along with many other tour players. Has anyone said a word about that? Of course not because you are hypocrites. The new league will thrive because professional athletes compete for money. Love makes the world go round but money greases the wheel. That’s just how it goes.

  4. Dennis

    Apr 21, 2022 at 3:56 am

    The Saudis don‘t share our values, don‘t share our way of life. Why do they want to take part of it in sports?

  5. jgpl001

    Apr 21, 2022 at 3:55 am

    4 Big Names????
    OMG, you mean 4 washed up tour players who now struggle every week?
    I wouldn’t look a them if they were in my garden
    This utter nonsense will fail spectacularly

    • Fan

      Apr 30, 2022 at 12:12 pm

      It will succeed and be good for all golfers. Touring professionals will thank Greg Norman later.

  6. GMatt

    Apr 15, 2022 at 12:01 pm

    Free Market… If that’s where they want to play so be it. If you want to watch then watch, if not then turn the channel and watch something else. Just be cognizant of the REAL WORLD…Money Talks…..

    • Don

      Apr 20, 2022 at 2:50 pm

      It certainly is a free market. It is a shame that some people, who have ethical issues, would support the Saudi’s who are known as murders and human rights violators. Anything for the almighty dollar!

  7. Jon Schenkel

    Apr 15, 2022 at 11:49 am

    Hope Saudi collapses ! Does anybody care about human rights ? They obviously don’t ! . Good Luck ! ?

    • will

      Apr 16, 2022 at 8:10 pm

      It always makes me laugh to see someone in the west make comments about human rights..

      • Joe

        Apr 19, 2022 at 3:59 pm

        Because you are clueless?

      • JB

        Apr 20, 2022 at 1:03 pm

        Compared to Saudi Arabia and the middle East? Yes, we have a much better record on human rights.

        • Ryan

          Apr 25, 2022 at 3:48 pm

          We indiscriminately drop bombs on civilians around the
          world—including US citizens. We have torture sites around the world as well. Read a history book.

  8. Michael

    Apr 15, 2022 at 11:39 am

    It figures Trumpwhore is hosting an event in America.

    I wonder who will broadcast it. You know it won’t be CBS, NBC, ABC or ESPN. Fox most likely despite their previous full blown failure.

  9. Randall Flagg

    Apr 15, 2022 at 10:22 am

    I want names on the back of polos. “He Hate Me” is perfect for Phil.

  10. Pingback: ‘A lot of Korn Ferry Tour players are going to get rich’ – KFT players flock to second Saudi event – GolfWRX

  11. Birdies

    Apr 14, 2022 at 9:54 pm

    Bring on the new.

  12. Fiat Currency is Fake

    Apr 14, 2022 at 5:43 pm

    Saudis looking for bagholders for Federal Reserve Notes before they go poof.

    • Gerry T

      Apr 15, 2022 at 10:57 am

      Hmmmm…and your point is…your commeentyy appears to bee going poof!

  13. gurn

    Apr 14, 2022 at 4:35 pm

    This would be a great fit for Sabbatini and Angry Davis Love. Both get little joy from golf.

  14. JT Dare

    Apr 14, 2022 at 9:01 am

    After what the Saudis did to Kashoggi, no credible journalist should cover a shot of this so-called league.

    • Happy Gilmore

      Apr 14, 2022 at 9:57 pm

      Journalism is dead.

      • Jack Nash

        Apr 15, 2022 at 10:55 am

        Remember libia? What happened then, which enabled eyesis.

        • Michael

          Apr 15, 2022 at 11:41 am

          Dude, your ability to communicate in English is in serious need of help.

    • Gerry T

      Apr 15, 2022 at 10:56 am

      Our own PM Turdeau has been kissing Saudi arse, but this league’s survival won’t be based on your judgements.

  15. Holden Tudiks

    Apr 13, 2022 at 11:00 pm

    February…. didn’t care. March…. continued to not care. April…. still don’t give a ^%$#

  16. Bob

    Apr 13, 2022 at 10:41 pm

    Saudis just trying to get rid of their Petrodollars onto a few bagholder golfers before they become worthless.

    LOL.

  17. Travis Bickle

    Apr 13, 2022 at 10:08 pm

    Who knows!?!? Ever heard of the WWF/WCW Monday Night war of the mid to late 90s? Well there might be a Sunday Night war for the PGA Tour/Saudi league.

  18. RH Hernandez

    Apr 13, 2022 at 8:00 pm

    Maybe Rickie Fowler could make a cut over there…

  19. Tom Kay

    Apr 13, 2022 at 7:12 pm

    Big fish in small pond playing for huge prize pool.

  20. David Hood

    Apr 13, 2022 at 5:16 pm

    It will be interesting to watch. I will be tuning in and as Norman says eventually it will gain traction. Money talks

    • geohogan

      Apr 14, 2022 at 7:55 pm

      No one will watch and Norman will fail again.

      • Wise Grasshopper

        Apr 30, 2022 at 12:15 pm

        Patience little grasshopper….. things take time. This will succeed.

    • Gerry T

      Apr 15, 2022 at 11:00 am

      I believe so too! Tim Finchem was too self-righteous to let this happen! Jealousy will get the PGA tour nowhere!

  21. More Golf Please

    Apr 13, 2022 at 4:52 pm

    These players are independent contractors and the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, R&A, and USGA, don’t have a monopoly on golf.

    If these players want to play the Asian Tour events, because at the end of the day that’s what they are, so be it. It doesn’t affect me one bit and it gives me more golf to watch.

    I didn’t see many complaints when Harold Varner won the “Saudi” event, so…..

    I’m all for these players to make all the money they can.

    If anyone can give me a reason why the tour and this league can coexist, I’m all ears.

    • Gerry T

      Apr 15, 2022 at 11:05 am

      Well said! I work for contracts as a security guard. No offers in recent months opened the door for me to return to golf course employment. Snooze, you lose.

  22. Whit Baker

    Apr 13, 2022 at 4:05 pm

    SCUM

  23. Ruth Anne Phillips

    Apr 13, 2022 at 3:36 pm

    Let’s hope the Saudis decide not to start hacking up golfers.

    If there’s a women’s league, I’m guessing they won’t be able to drive the golf carts and the skirts will be long enough as to not show ankles.

    But hey, maybe Jared Kushner can use some of 2 billion dollar Saudi investment to get Ivanka a gig as a female entrepreneur. They already gave her 100 million. Whatever happened to that?

    Seriously, I’m Pretty sure these guys are safe from reproach – we were able to overlook that most of the 911 highjackers came from and were funded by Saudi Arabia – so I’m pretty sure we can handle this.

    Greg Norman just wants a piece of that Saudi cash cow. Good for him. Maybe Russia will start a new league next.

    • El Culebrón

      Apr 13, 2022 at 5:22 pm

      Do you feel the same way about the LPGA playing in Saudi Arabia for “Saudi” money?

      Just asking….

      • Big Woman Ruthie

        Apr 13, 2022 at 10:58 pm

        But hey, maybe Hunter Biden can use some of billion dollar Ukraine investment to get his stripper baby mama a gig as a female entrepreneur. They already gave her 10% to the “Big Guy”. Whatever happened to that?

    • Don

      Apr 20, 2022 at 2:54 pm

      No kidding…the Saudi’s are rag top maggots.

  24. Tiger who

    Apr 13, 2022 at 2:18 pm

    If they’re looking for more players you can sign me up.

  25. aedeoiad

    Apr 13, 2022 at 1:21 pm

    Norman: “I have literally nothing of substance to say so here’s some complete bullshit I’ve made up.”

  26. ND Hickman

    Apr 13, 2022 at 12:12 pm

    We’ve had the underwhelming list of venues already, then we get an equally underwhelming leak of players who are ready to sign. How else can Greg bore me to tears?

    • Oh Hickman!

      Apr 13, 2022 at 2:12 pm

      I guess you didn’t get an invite?

      I’m sure you would have turned it down, lol…

    • Hickman's Ghost

      Apr 13, 2022 at 2:14 pm

      Underwhelming? Lol….

      I guess you didn’t get an invite, lol…

    • CG

      Apr 13, 2022 at 4:25 pm

      Another coward heard from.

  27. No Donkey?

    Apr 13, 2022 at 11:00 am

    No Donkey Kuch?

    Kdouuuuuuuuche, Kdouuuuuuuuuuche, Kdouuuuuuuuuuuuche, Kdouuuuuuuuuche, Kdouuuuuuuuuuche, Kdouuuuuuuuuuche….

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News

Morning 9: Wyndham Clark on back injury | DiMarco’s bold Champions Tour take | Houston Open photos

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By Ben Alberstadt with Gianni Magliocco.

For comments: [email protected]

Good Thursday morning, golf fans, as day one of the Houston Open gets underway.

1. Wyndham Clark hurts back…still hopes to play

ESPN’s Mark Schlabach…”Reigning U.S. Open winner Wyndham Clark injured his back while working out at home Monday, but he hopes to play in this week’s Texas Children’s Houston Open, which starts Thursday at Memorial Park Golf Course.”

  • “Clark, the fourth-ranked golfer in the world, said he was lifting weights and “got caught in an awkward spot doing a lift and [his] back went.”
  • “It’s not something that happens regularly, but it happened and you live and you learn,” Clark said. “I’m trending in the right direction. I’m hitting it or feeling stronger and more mobile every day. I’m going to give it my best effort tomorrow and hopefully I can play and compete. If not, I’ve got to get ready for tournaments to come after this.”
Full piece.

2. DiMarco’s bold Champions Tour take

Our Matt Vincenzi…”While speaking on the Subpar podcast, former PGA Tour winner and current PGA Tour Champions player Chris DiMarco said he hopes LIV buys the Champions Tour.”

  • “We’re kind of hoping that LIV buys the Champions Tour,” he said.
  • “Let’s play for a little real money out here. I mean this is kind of a joke when we’re getting $2 million. There were like seven guys last week from TPC (Sawgrass, at the $25 million PLAYERS Championship) that made more money than our purses.”
Full piece.

3. Charley Hull’s course management problem?

Our Matt Vincenzi…”Charley Hull came just short of her third LPGA Tour victory over the weekend at the Fir Hills Seri Pak Championship when she played her last two holes at 3 over to slip all the way to 10th on the leaderboard.”

  • “After the round, Hull was blasted by Sky Sports commentator and former LPGA Tour player Trish Johnson for her lack of golf course management.”
  • “While speaking on the Sky Sports Golf podcast, Johnson spoke harshly of Hull.”
  • “I’m probably her harshest critic, because I know how good she is. She doesn’t win anywhere near enough for her talent, and she doesn’t get involved enough, in all honestly.
  • “The thing with Charley is that you’re never going to change her. I read something the other day that said how much she loves the game and it’s her love of the game [that costs her]. She’s never going to change and she’s just going to go for every pin.
  • “In theory that’s great, but it won’t win you golf tournaments, it just won’t because she’s not that much better than anybody else.
Full piece.

4. Sahith’s interesting idea

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”Which brings Theegala to his big idea: “There’s got to be something, like a fan challenge or – I think it would be awesome to see a scratch handicap go out and play like the Monday after a tournament, keep the same conditions and see what they would shoot just to put it into perspective how hard a PGA Tour golf course is.”

  • “Theegala loves the thought so much that he’d even come out and watch.”
  • “Shoot, I’d commentate on it,” Theegala added before continuing, “I have a pet peeve, sometimes when I watch golf on TV, a great example is hole 8 at Valspar last week. It’s a 230-yard par 3, the green’s 12 yards wide and someone will hit the middle of the green and, you know, they’ll be like, ‘Oh, really smart shot there.’ I’m like, ‘Well, no, he’s absolutely laced this 4-iron in the middle of the green, that’s right where he’s looking and to hit a 4-iron that straight is really, really hard.’ … Even like chipping, a lot of the stuff just looks flat on TV, but then when you get over the chip, like, oh, great, I have to land it over a mound on a downslope down grain?”
Full piece.

5. Top am Rachel Heck not going pro

Golf Channel’s Brentley Romine…”As Rachel Heck nears the end of her college golf career, she has decided that the LPGA isn’t for her.’

  • “Heck, the 22-year-old Stanford senior who won an NCAA individual title as a freshman and has climbed as high as second in the world amateur rankings, penned a first-person essay for No Laying Up in which she explained her reasoning for remaining amateur after graduation this summer and starting an internship not in professional golf but rather private equity. Heck, a political science major, also will be pinned as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.”

Read her piece on No Laying Up: https://nolayingup.com/blog/why-im-remaining-an-amateur

Full piece.

6. DJ’s new LIV signing

Golf Monthly’s Elliott Heath…”Dustin Johnson‘s LIV Golf team 4Aces GC has announced former TravisMathew CEO Chris Rosaasen as the side’s new General Manager.”

  • “Rosaasen, who is a long-time friend of Johnson, is also the founder of the team’s apparel sponsor Extracurricular and has been CEO of the Omniverse Group for the past four years.
  • “He joins with more than 20 years of “brand-building, marketing, and business leadership” according to LIV Golf, which says his “record of innovation in the golf industry will strengthen and accelerate the growth of the 4Aces GC brand.”
Full piece.

7. Photos from the Houston Open

  • Check out all of our photos from this week’s event!
Full piece.
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Four books for a springtime review

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One thing that never changes over time: snowy evenings give purpose to reading (is it the other way around?) It has been a snowy 2024 in western New York, and I’ve had ample time to tuck into an easy chair with a blanket, coffee, and a book. You’re in luck, because despite the title of this piece, I’ll share five books and their worth with you.

There is great breadth of subject matter from one to five. Golf is as complicated as life, which means that the cover of the book isn’t worth judging. The contents begin the tale, but there is so much more to each topic presented within. If you’re like me, your library grows each year. Despite the value of the virtual, the paper-printed word connects us to the past of golf and humanity. Here’s hoping that you’ll add one or more of these titles to your collection.

        

Rainmaker

Hughes Norton interviewed with Mark McCormack for 20 minutes (30 if you count the missed exit at Logan International) while driving the founder of IMG from Harvard to the airport. The lesson of taking advantage of each moment, of every dollar, because you might not get another opportunity, is the most valuable one that life offers. I say to you, be certain to read this book, because another opportunity to bend the ear of Hughes Norton may not come our way.

Hughes Norton was with Tiger Woods for waaayyy fewer years than you might guess, but they were the critical ones. Be warned: not all of the revelations in this tome are for the faint of heart. Some, in fact, will break your heart. Golf was a sleepy hamlet in the 1990s, until the 16-lane interstate called Eldrick “Tiger” Woods came into town. Everything changed, which meant that everything would change again and again, into eternity. Once the ball starts rolling, it’s impossible to stop.

My favorite aspect of this book is its candor. Hughes Norton is well into his time on Planet Earth. He has no reason to hold back, and he doesn’t. My least favorite aspect is that George Peper got the call to co-author the book (and I didn’t.) Seriously, there is no LFA for me, so this is the best that I could do.

Decision: Buy It!

The Golf Courses of Seth Raynor

Michael Wolf, James Sitar, and Jon Cavalier, in abject partnership, collaborated to produce a handsome volume on the work of gone-too-soon, engineer-turned-golf course architect. Seth Raynor was pulled into the game by Charles Blair MacDonald, the crusty godfather of American golf. Raynor played little golf across the 51 years of his life. His reason? He did not wish to corrupt his designs with the demands and failings of his own game.

Jon Cavalier began his photography career as a contributor to the Golf Club Atlas discussion group. I met him there in a virtual way (we still have yet to shake hands) and have exchanged numerous emails over the years. Despite the demands of his day job, Cavalier has blossomed into the most traveled and prolific course photographer alive today. His photography, both hand-held and drone, makes the pages pop. Michael Wolf invited me and two friends to play his home course, despite having never met any of us in person. His words, melded to those of James Sitar, are the glue that connect Cavalier’s photos.

My favorite aspect of the books is the access it gives to the private-club world of Raynor. Fewer than five of his courses are resort or public access, and knowing people on the inside is not available to all. My suggestion? Write a letter/email and see if a club will let you play. Can’t hurt to try! My one complaint about the book is its horizontal nature. Golf is wide, but I like a little vertical in my photos. It’s not much of a complaint, given the glorious contents within the covers.

Decision: Buy It!!

Big Green Book from The Golfer’s Journal

Beginning with its (over)size, and continuing through the entire contents, there is no descriptor that defines the genre of the Big Green Book. It is photography, essay, layout, poetry, graphics, and stream of consciousness. It harnesses the creative power of a lengthy masthead of today’s finest golf contributors. Quotes from Harvey Penick, verse from Billy Collins, and prose from John Updike partner with images pure and altered, to immerse you in the diverse golf spaces that define this planet.

One of my favorite aspects is the spaces between the words and photos. Have your friends and others write a few notes to you in those blank areas, to personalize your volume even more. One aspect that needs improvement: the lack of female voices. I suspect that will be remedied in future volumes.

Decision: Buy It!!!

Troublemaker and The Unplayable Lie

Books that allege discrimination and mistreatment check two boxes: potentially-salacious reads and debate over whose perspective is accurate. In the end, the presentation of salacious revelation rarely meets the expectation, and the debate over fault is seldom resolved. Lisa Cornwell spent years as a competitive junior and college golfer, before joining The Golf Channel as a reporter and program host.

Despite the dream assignments, there were clouds that covered the sun. Cornwell documents episodes of favoritism and descrimination against her, prior to her departure from The Golf Channel in 2021. Her work echoes the production of the late Marcia Chambers, who wrote for Golf Digest in the 1980s and 1990s. Chambers took issue with many of the potential and real legal issues surrounding golf and its policies of access/no access. Her research culminated in The Unplayable Lie, the first work of its kind to address issues confronted by all genders and ethnicities, and immediately predated the professional debut of Tiger Woods in 1997.

My favorite aspects of the two works, are the courage and conviction that it took to write them, and believe in them. My least favorite aspects are the consistent bias that many groups continue to face. Without awareness, there is no action. Without action, there is no change.

Decision: Buy Them!!!!

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Tour Photo Galleries

Photos from the 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open

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GolfWRX is on site in the Lone Star State this week for the Texas Children’s Houston Open.

General galleries from the putting green and range, WITBs — including Thorbjorn Olesen and Zac Blair — and several pull-out albums await.

As always, we’ll continue to update as more photos flow in. Check out links to all our photos from Houston below.

General Albums

WITB Albums

Pullout Albums

See what GolfWRXers are saying in the forums.

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