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

Xander Schauffele explains free drop ruling during round one of Wells Fargo Championship

Published

on

During Thursday’s opening round of the Wells Fargo Championship, Xander Schauffele blasted his tee shot in the woods to the right of the fairway on the par-4 8th hole.

The ball was almost not found, but Xander’s group managed to track it down just before the three-minute time limit was reached.

When the ball was found, it was in the penalty area close to a fence. In the moment, it seemed incredibly unlikely that Schauffele would be able to hit the ball through the trees towards the green.

However, through the woods and above the fairway, there was a hanging wire from a ShotLink tower that Xander claimed was in his way. He was then granted relief, and two club lengths from the spot positioned him all the way out of trouble. He played his ball onto the front of the green and two-putted for par.

Here is the full video of the interaction between Schauffele and the rules official.

After the round, Xander said he “got really lucky.”

“Got really lucky multiple times, on 1 with Wyndham finding it, 2, being able to move the rocks, and 3, the ShotLink tower being in like my only shot line possible. To walk out there with sort of a no breeze 4 with what I thought was almost out was a really good break.”

“Yeah, I hit it in the trees. My ball was probably like a foot, two feet from the fence. If I — ball was here, fence was kind of here, hitting back this direction.

“If I went towards the green, the fence kind of worked this way so I had what I could hit, a 4-iron or something low and just kind of run it through. If it gets stuck, I’ll just kind of hit my next one out. But I brought the rules official in there with me because I was like, you’ve got to be OK with this because this is literally the only shot I can hit.”

“So Austin [Kaiser] and I moved two massive rocks that weren’t embedded and then I got relief out of the junk and then hit a pretty good shot on the green from there. What was a very stressful moment turned into a pretty stressless par.”

Schauffele finished the round at seven under, which gives him a three-shot lead going into Friday’s second round.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 1
  • LEGIT0
  • WOW0
  • LOL0
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK1

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Report: Tiger Woods voted against Rory McIlroy returning to policy board; Will be the only player negotiating directly with Saudis

Published

on

According to a report from The Telegraph, the relationship between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has soured.

Last week, reports surfaced that McIlroy, who was a member of the PGA Tour policy board during most of the past few years, was looking to rejoin the board, presumably taking Webb Simpson’s seat.

However, on Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he will not be rejoining the policy board, due to people on the board being “uncomfortable” with that “for some reason.”

The Telegraph has reported that Tiger Woods was among the players who voted against McIlroy returning to the policy board.

The divide is apparently due to McIlroy pushing for the game of golf to unify, whereas Woods, reportedly, believes the PGA Tour is in a fine position where it currently stands.

The Associated Press added another wrinkle to the situation, reporting that Woods is the only player who will be negotiating directly with the Saudis.

The other members of the committee are PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, board chairman Joe Gorder, John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group, and Joe Ogilvie, who was a former PGA Tour player.

Your Reaction?
  • 14
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW7
  • LOL4
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB2
  • SHANK14

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson reveals he won’t be pursuing broadcasting career when he retires from golf

Published

on

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”

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 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

Your Reaction?
  • 15
  • LEGIT2
  • WOW3
  • LOL6
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB0
  • SHANK21

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending