Connect with us

19th Hole

‘It makes me want to puke’ – Chamblee rips LIV Golf stars in scathing attack

Published

on

What a week for golf!

The much-discussed LIV Golf series started yesterday amidst huge analysis of the morals and legitimacy, and yet over 100,000 tuned in to the YouTube channel to see what all the fuss was about.

Whilst that has all been going on, the long-standing RBC Canadian Open has started, with defending champ Rory McIlroy giving a clear opinion on the rebel tour, while the DP World Tour kicked off the second Scandinavian Mixed event, a mixed men’s and women’s tournament, to some eyes a better way of ‘growing the game.’

Naturally, and some might say sadly, the LIV event has grabbed all the headlines.

Participating players have been grilled at the press conferences about their thoughts on their resignation from the PGA Tour and human rights issues surrounding the Saudi-backed series, some with pre-prepared and scripted answers, some not quite so erudite.

And then there were the organizing authorities.

The USGA has decided to allow LIV players that are qualified to still take part in next week’s US Open, whilst the PGA Tour have said ‘no thanks, goodbye’, with McIlroy today saying he welcomed that decision.

Golf Twitter has gone crackers during the week with very few staying away from contributing to the hundreds of topics that surround, let’s face it, quite a minor event.

Then there’s the pros.

Golf Channel analyst, Brandel Chamblee, made his feelings clear in a speech broadcast by Sky Sports News, saying the players that have joined the LIV series make him “want to puke”.

He continued, with genuine passion and vitriol.

“When it comes to the richest sports stars in the world, Phil Mickelson is 11th. He’s ahead of Kobe Bryant, he’s ahead of David Beckham, he’s ahead of Kevin Durant, he’s ahead of Lewis Hamilton.”

“You’re talking about him being ahead of icons in sports that are far more popular worldwide than the game of golf. And yet why is it that golf has four of the highest paid athletes of all time? Why is it that Phil Mickelson is 11th, in terms of the stratosphere he does occupy, as an athlete… that athletes who have made less money than him but play a sport that is widely more popular. Why is that? It’s because of the image of the golfer.

Because of their independent contract nature. Because they show up and, generally speaking, play a game that is self governed and self policing. It is a game of integrity. It’s because corporations want to align themselves with these players. It’s because of the philanthropic aspect of the game of golf.”

“So when I hear these players say that they are ‘growing the game’… it makes me want to puke. They’re destroying the game. And they are destroying their reputations.”

With absolutely no regret, the former professional concludes his feelings with a biting thought.

“This is one of the saddest days in the history of golf. Watching these players come together for money and show to the world…they are showing us that they are the greediest, most self serving, self interesting, wilfully blind players in the world of golf today.”

What a week to be alive.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 680
  • LEGIT45
  • WOW13
  • LOL28
  • IDHT5
  • FLOP11
  • OB9
  • SHANK240

19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

Published

on

On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 7
  • LEGIT1
  • WOW0
  • LOL1
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

Published

on

While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 18
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW2
  • LOL4
  • IDHT2
  • FLOP2
  • OB0
  • SHANK23

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

Published

on

While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT6
  • WOW1
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK3

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending