19th Hole
Sergio Garcia and Greg Norman’s WhatsApp messages reveal talk over ‘shallow threat’ from PGA Tour
There would never be much pleasantry surrounding the lawsuit filed by 11 players suspended by the PGA Tour for jumping ship to the LIV series.
- Related: Greg Norman creates storm by falsely claiming LPGA Tour is sponsored by Saudi Oil Company Aramco
Evidence given by both sides is going to be under intense scrutiny by lawyers and the media alike, and it started last Friday when Golf Magazine’s Dylan Dethier tweeted a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation between Sergio Garcia and LIV CEO Greg Norman.
The exchange, ‘Exhibit 6’, is part of the upcoming lawsuit, and dates from 11th and 12th of February 2022, some four months prior to the inaugural LIV event at the Centurion Club, England.
The conversation starts with Garcia, seemingly nervous about the upcoming series, asking, “how things are going with the League cause it seams (sic) like a lot of those guys that were loving it and excited about it last week, now are shiting in their pants.”
Norman doesn’t seem bothered by the “white noise” and assures the Spaniard that he will “reach out” if Garcia has names.
He then comments that, “if the Tour was going to ban players they would have already,” before telling Garcia that it would be “fantastic,” if he can “get them or any player threatened to get it in writing.”
When Garcia goes back to Norman, he tells him, “it’s official,” and that the Tour are banning players for life. Again Norman is unfussed, replying that it is a “shallow threat.”
Sadly, this looks like being a very long-running saga, with much dirty laundry, and the domination of headlines where others would surely be preferred.
Interesting to see how insistent Norman was (in these texts with Sergio) that the PGA Tour wouldn't and couldn't suspend players.
"They cannot ban you for one day let alone life." pic.twitter.com/foSDSIOg2L
— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) August 5, 2022
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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?
- LIKE20
- LEGIT5
- WOW7
- LOL5
- IDHT3
- FLOP8
- OB3
- SHANK20
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