19th Hole

Text message EXPOSES Greg Norman as Mickelson biographer is ‘physically removed’ from LIV presser

Published

2 years ago

Jun 10, 2022

Alan Shipnuck shared via his Twitter account that he was physically removed from the first round of LIV Golf Series’ inaugural event outside of London on Thursday.

Well, a couple of neckless security dudes just physically removed me from Phil Mickelson's press conference, saying they were acting on orders from their boss, whom they refused to name. (Greg Norman? MBS? Al Capone?) Never a dull moment up in here.

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) June 9, 2022

There has been plenty of controversy surrounding Shipnuck, who spoke with Phil Mickelson back in November 2021 ahead of writing his book titled “Phil: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar”.

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

During their conversation, Mickelson told Shipnuck that he wanted to take part in the new LIV Golf Invitational Series because he wanted to use Saudi Arabia’s interest in forming the league to leverage the PGA Tour into giving the players what he believes they are worth.

Mickelson claims that the comments were given to Shipnuck “off the record”, but Shipnuck has disputed that claim.

Related: ‘Bullsh*t of an excuse’ – Tennis legend blasts ‘pathetic’ LIV Golf players

Shipnuck arrived to St. Albans with hopes of speaking to Mickelson prior to his round, but reported that Mickelson was unsurprisingly not interested in doing so.

I’m gonna live-tweet Phil’s round on the @firepitstories handle, starting in 20 minutes. Haven’t laid eyes on him since last year. (I just landed in London this morning.) I’ve been informed by tournament officials he doesn’t wish to speak to me; we’ll see how it goes post-round. https://t.co/Xcnx3xbxe5

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) June 9, 2022

Despite being told Mickelson did not want him there, Shipnuck went to his press conference anyway before he was forcibly removed.

Later on Thursday, Shipnuck then revealed on Twitter how he sent a text message to LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman to let him know that he was removed by security.

Shipnuck texted: “Are you aware that I just got muscled out out of Phil’s press conference by a couple of your goons? Luckily for you guys I kept my cool and deescalated the situation. Please call me to discuss.”

Norman replied: “Did not hear. Thanks for letting me know.”

Shipnuck then sent Norman a photo that he had been sent of Norman standing behind him outside the media centre, revealing that Norman was likely very well aware of what was going on.

You cannot make this shit up! I texted Greg Norman before someone sent me this video – I had no idea he was lurking behind me. pic.twitter.com/thgdMlfTAR

— Alan Shipnuck (@AlanShipnuck) June 9, 2022

This is unbelievable https://t.co/YxJQgK64wE

— Matthew Chivers (@mgchivers) June 9, 2022

The drama and controversy surround everything LIV Golf continues to dominate headlines. Round two of the 54 hole event is set to take place at 2:15 local time for a shotgun start.

Man charged with stealing millions of dollars worth of memorabilia from Augusta National

Published

2 hours ago

Apr 18, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, a man has been charged in Chicago with stealing millions of dollars’ worth of memorabilia from Augusta National.

The man, Robert Globensky, was charged with transporting the memorabilia across state lines.

The report states that between 2009 and 2022, Globensky allegedly transported “millions of dollars’ worth of Masters golf tournament merchandise and historical memorabilia” from Augusta National “and transported to Tampa, Florida, knowing the same had been stolen, converted and taken by fraud.”

The document was filed Tuesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.

Per the court records there is no mention that Globensky worked for the golf club.

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19th Hole

Talor Gooch: 54 holes is more exciting for the fans

Published

2 hours ago

Apr 18, 2024

Matt Vincenzi

Over the past few weeks, two of LIV Golf’s biggest stars, Jon Rahm and Phil Mickelson, have both expressed that they believe LIV could go to 72 holes.

While speaking to BBC Sport, Rahm said he “wouldn’t mind” going to 72 holes.

“If there ever was a way where LIV could go to 72 holes I think it would help all of this argument a lot.”

“The closer I think we can get LIV Golf to some other things the better. I think it would be for some kind of unification to feed into a world tour or something like that.

“I don’t know if I’m alone in this, but I definitely wouldn’t mind going back to 72 holes.”

Phil Mickelson, while speaking after his final round at The Masters, also said he “wouldn’t be surprised” if LIV went to 72 holes.

“I don’t think it makes a difference either way. We’ve got mini-tours playing 54, Champions Tour playing 54. I wouldn’t be surprised if some or all of LIV events went to 72. I don’t know, but it doesn’t matter. I enjoy the competition.”

Another one of LIV’s top players, Talor Gooch, expressed on Wednesday that he feels quite differently.

“It’s just funny to me, this arbitrary number of 72.”

“Why is it not 90? “Why is it not 108? We just decided to make that number the number, for what reason?”

“Everyone’s talked about world ranking points and all this stuff, but no one’s talked about what do the fans enjoy more?”

“People want something that’s going to be more exciting. And I personally think that the 54 holes is more exciting for the fans.”

After Gooch’s comments, I decided to get some fan feedback for myself, making a poll on X. With about 4,500 votes in at the time of writing this, roughly 84% of voters in the poll indicated they’d prefer 72 holes to just 16% saying they’d prefer 54.

Rahm prefers 72 holes
Gooch prefers 54 holes

Where do the fans stand?

— Matt Vincenzi (@MattVincenziPGA) April 17, 2024

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19th Hole

Brandel Chamblee has ‘no doubt’ who started the McIlroy/LIV rumor and why

Published

1 day ago

Apr 17, 2024

GolfWRX Staff

Earlier this week, rumors began to fly that Rory McIlroy could be making a shock switch to LIV Golf which caused quite the stir on social media.

However, on Tuesday, McIlroy emphatically shut down those rumors, telling Golf Channel’s Todd Lewis at the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town:

“I honestly don’t know how these things get started. I’ve never been offered a number from LIV and I’ve never contemplated going to LIV. Again I think I’ve made it clear over the past two years that I don’t think it’s something for me.

It’s unfortunate that we have to deal with it and this is the state that our game’s in. I’m obviously here today and I’m playing this PGA Tour event next week and I will play the PGA Tour for the rest of my career.”

Golf Channel analyst and longtime LIV critic, Brandel Chamblee, took to social media before McIlroy’s statement to point the finger at “Saudis/LIV,” who he believes started the rumor:

I have no doubt that this rumor was started by Saudis/LIV… to benefit Saudis/LIV after such a poor showing, as a group, at The Masters.

I’d be very surprised if this turns out to be true. https://t.co/SWNgjHtWSM

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) April 16, 2024

When one user pushed back on Chamblee’s claim that LIV golfers had a poor showing at the Masters, Brandel went further into why he believes the opening major of the year was a failure for the breakaway tour.

You think they paid 3 billion for a few top tens and to be +82 as a group at major? A senior citizen beat some of their “stars” and almost all the game’s of LIV players have deteriorated since they sold their souls to the Saudis who only bought a moment in time… nothing else. https://t.co/xERkYsztIJ

— Brandel Chamblee (@chambleebrandel) April 16, 2024