19th Hole
Golf fans can’t believe how expensive tickets are for LIV Golf opener
Speculation and rumor continues to surround the new Saudi-backed LIV Golf International Series with star names continually banded about as eventual starters but, apart from Robert Garrigus and Phil Mickelson, all are as yet unconfirmed.
Still, that hasn’t stopped the organizers from releasing tickets for the first seven events, and ‘golf social media’ wasn’t happy.
- Related: Phil Mickelson’s LIV Golf sign-on fee is revealed as he’s now expected to miss PGA Championship
The inaugural event takes place at the Centurion Club in June and clearly those in charge are expecting some big stars given the price of tickets.
At the time of writing, a one-day ground pass is priced at £67.88 and a 3-day ground pass at £179.69, saving just over 10 percent. There are also plenty of extras, additions and executive packages as expected, offering various luxuries such as the Club 54 3-day premium Package at £9822.90.
Given the promise, these prices are not that much of a surprise given the suggested reward levels for the players, but they compare badly to many other marquee events such as the Scottish Open and The Open itself, both which will feature far more players, and include the very best in the world.
The golf twitterati set to work once the figures were announced, with golf warbler, Sam Harrop commenting:
Reading the news that it’s £85 ($120) per day to go and watch the first LIV event over here, and it just doesn’t make sense. It’s nearly half that price to go to Wentworth! If they want this thing to take off, pricing yourself out of the market at the outset isn’t a great idea.
— Sam Harrop (@sam_golf) April 27, 2022
Ben Coley, respected golf journalist and tipster, remarked that:
£85 for a day in London or £225 for all three days. By way of comparison, for £30 you can see more shots by more players at the British Masters next week, at a course which has hosted the Ryder Cup. https://t.co/OF5QqaU9J8
— Ben Coley (@BenColeyGolf) April 27, 2022
Away from the British golf heirachy, one fan summed up a lot of feeling from the general golf-loving public, saying:
“#LIVgolf good to see that the #saudigolf tour is targeting the working man. £85 for day passes is an unbelievable rip off considering @TheOpen tickets are a similar price for a better field Dead in the water before it’s begun !!!”
Yesterday, LIV chairman Greg Norman, indicated that the recent months have been a tough ride. Judged on the reaction to the ticket prices yesterday, that may continue for a while.
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On Tuesday, Chris McKee, a Toronto writer and radio host, wondered aloud on his X account if Phil Mickelson will be a commentator after his playing days are over.
The second Phil Mickelson retires he'll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/ulrtBHcyB6
— Chris McKee (@mrmckee) May 7, 2024
“The second Phil Mickelson retires he’ll instantly become the most sought after TV analyst in golf. Would any PGA Tour broadcaster (CBS, ESPN, NBC or Sky) bring him in or would he have to stick to LIV broadcasts? #LIVGolf”
Mickelson saw the post and responded, saying he’s not interested in moving from the course to the broadcast booth.
Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality…
— Phil Mickelson (@PhilMickelson) May 8, 2024
“Thank you for the kind words. However, just cuz someone CAN do something doesn’t mean they SHOULD do it. Instead of commentating, I’m going to shoot some Pros vs Schmos 9 hole matches. I’ll share insights throughout as well as talk a little smack. It won’t be the highest quality video but it’ll be fun for me to do and fun to watch I think too.”
While I believe many fans would like to see Phil in the booth, his idea of “Pro’s vs Schmo’s” could certainly be intriguing.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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This week, the PGA of America made some surprising announcements regarding the field of next week’s PGA Championship at Valhalla.
The event now will feature 16 LIV players with Talor Gooch, Dean Burmester, David Puig, Adrian Meronk and Patrick Reed receiving special exemptions.
PGA Tour player, Dylan Wu, took issue with how the exemptions were used and went to X to share his thoughts.
Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in. @NUCLRGOLF @Daniel_Rapaport @PGA https://t.co/8Snkq0l2Vg
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ???? @NUCLRGOLF @Daniel_Rapaport @acaseofthegolf1
— Dylan Wu (@dylan_wu59) May 7, 2024
“Why is there never “real” qualifications for the PGA Championship? You have a points list and World ranking invite. Usually just outside top 100 in OWGR gets in. Chan Kim ranked 104th in OWGR doesn’t get in. SH Kim at 107th isn’t in.”
“Jesper Svennson ranked 108th gets in. Tim Widing 120th gets in. Ryder Cup captain Luke Donald gets a spot. A bunch of guys get leapfrogged even though they’re ranked higher than others. Seems like they just invite whoever they want. Unfair to the guys on the edge like Chan and SH”
“Just seems like the world of professional golf is in a weird spot and I love that the tournament invited a handful of great LIV players but figure out a correct system for a major championship where guys know they’ll be in or not. ????”
Fans who replied to Wu seemed to agree that a more definitive ranking system for the PGA Championship should be established.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
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On Tuesday, the full field for the PGA Championship at Valhalla was released. In some surprising news, a handful of LIV players were granted exemptions including Dean Burmester, Patrick Reed, Lucas Herbert and Adrian Meronk.
The most surprising omission was Louis Oosthuizen. The South African has been one of the most consistent players on LIV this season, and also won two DP World Tour events in the fall.
According to the AP’s Doug Ferguson, Oosthuizen was actually given an invitation, but declined due to “personal commitments”.
Turns out PGA offered Oosthuizen an invitation. He turned it down because of personal commitments. Not sure what those were.
— Doug Ferguson (@dougferguson405) May 7, 2024
In total, there will be 16 LIV golfers teeing it up next week at Valhalla.
More from the 19th Hole
- Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game “on a much more global basis”
- 2-time major champ announces shock retirement from the sport at age of 33
- Tiger explains why golf has “negative connotations” for daughter Sam
New here?
- LIKE17
- LEGIT3
- WOW4
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- IDHT3
- FLOP8
- OB2
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