The third LIV Golf event gets underway this week from Trump National Golf Club Bedminster, with three new signings poised to make their debut. 

• Related: Report: LIV Golf to introduce relegation and promotion system from 2023

Last week, Jason Kokrak and Charles Howell III joined Henrik Stenson in signing with LIV Golf, with Howell III’s announcement coming as a bit of a surprise.

• Related: What happened to the players who played LIV’s opener that are now surplus to requirements

The 43-year-old had not previously been linked to the Saudi-backed breakaway Tour and had amassed over $42 million in career earnings with his play on the PGA Tour.

On Wednesday, speaking ahead of his debut with LIV Golf, Howell made the surprising admission that “money was not a factor” in his decision to defect from the PGA Tour.

“For me, I’ve been there for 22 years, and it’s been awesome. I’ve got nothing but great things to say about the PGA Tour, what they’ve given me, the opportunities, et cetera.

“But when this came along, I’m 43 years old, I’ve done a lot of that. I still love the game. I love the game more today than I did five years ago. Now that my son is playing competitive golf, I’m even more incentivized in the game. This is something really new and exciting.”

What may have been a factor in Howell’s decision to join LIV was the spearhead of the group, multiple major champion Greg Norman, who the Augusta native grew up idolizing.

“Greg Norman was my hero as a kid growing up. I mean, every year at the Masters and Augusta, I couldn’t wait to get out there and watch Greg Norman play. 

“Man, he was an idol. I had a life-sized cardboard cutout of Greg in my room way back in his Spalding days. He was just the man.”

Interestingly, Howell also revealed how Bryson DeChambeau headhunted the 43-year-old, with the team aspect an exciting prospect for the three time PGA Tour winner.

“Bryson (DeChambeau) reaches out and says, I’d love for you to be a part of my team. That’s a compliment, but it’s also a responsibility.OK, I’ve got to play well; I’m responsible not only for myself but for Paul (Casey), for Bryson, for others. It’s new and exciting.

“Not that the PGA Tour got boring, but I’m extremely excited to be here for the next few years, and yeah, it’s a new venture, and at this age and this part of my life, it’s perfect.”

When you’re 25 years of age and with everything on your resume bar a victory, it probably stings when someone introduces you as, “making his second start in the event, finishing 77th last year.”

• Related: Charles Barkley names his LIV price and gives breakaway tour timeline ultimatum

At yesterday’s Rocket Mortgage Classic press conference, Will Zalatoris was introduced as such, and whilst it is a fact that he performed poorly in Detroit last year, there were probably better intros available!

• Related: Sergio Garcia says he now wants to STAY on DP World Tour…just 3 weeks after scathing rant

After all, WillyZ has had 57 starts on the main tours since qualifying in late 2020, racking up five runner-up finishes, a third and ten further top-10s.

Not only that but he has six top-10s at the last few majors, including silver medals at The Masters and US Open.

Having looked less than impressed with the ‘welcoming statement’, the reporter then asked Zalatoris for an “opening comment on your return to the Detroit Golf Club.”

The response, along with a wry smile:

“Yeah, thanks for the highlight of the 77th…..it’s a beautiful place and those guys have been super accommodating. So looking forward to coming back this year, and obviously improving on my 77th  last year.”

Defending 77th place finisher ?

Not @WillZalatoris' favorite introduction ? pic.twitter.com/mst24pdCGu

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) July 26, 2022

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A week ago, we reported on David Feherty’s decision to join the LIV team and mentioned the possibility of a few of the other star commentators jumping from their current employers over to the Greg Norman-led organization.

• Related: Rival European Ryder Cup captain candidate fires warning over ‘joke’ option of Thomas Bjorn

One obvious candidate is Charles Barkley, and the former 11-time NBA All-Star turned television analyst, appeared on The Dan Patrick Show on Monday night to update viewers on the current negotiations.

• Related: ‘Gimme a f–kin’ break – you’re just a golfer, dude’ – Charles Barkley rips ‘no fun’ Tiger

Whilst Norman and Barkley have recently been out for dinner and had “really good conversation,” Barkley made it clear on Monday that a contract had not yet been offered to him and that speed was of the essence.

Set to play at the third LIV event in Bedminster this week, the TNT broadcaster clarified that there is a time limit.

“I’m gonna give them a deadline. The deadline is gonna be Thursday. I’m playing at the Pro-Am Thursday,” Barkley told the presenter.

“I’m not gonna keep TNT in limbo. I don’t think it’s fair to them. They’ve gotten plenty of play out of me coming to play out there Thursday. I’m not just gonna be no show pony. Don’t be wasting my time. I’m not gonna waste y’all time. When I leave New Jersey Thursday night, when I leave the golf course, if I don’t have an offer, it’s over.”

Previous reports suggest Barkley’s’ current contact has three years left at around $10 million per year plus endorsements, so how much would it take to get Barkley over to LIV from his current lucrative agreement?

Patrick guessed current total earnings were circa $20 million, and his guest didn’t seem in pains to deny that figure, though he suggested LIV need to come up with a much-increased offer – treble it!

After a previous comment that, “If somebody gave me $200 million, I’d kill a relative.” Barkley’s next move was of little surprise.

“If they triple it, your first question should be, ‘Charles, where we celebrating at tonight?'”

More from the 19th Hole

• Why Phil Mickelson’s Open playing partner told Lefty that he’s hated him for 11 years
• Lexi Thompson’s behavior following Women’s PGA defeat sparks fierce debate
• YouTube sensation ejected by Brooks Koepka at Open Championship party