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‘Grow the game? Bullsh*t. They paid me a lot of money’ – Feherty on reasons why he joined LIV

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2 years ago

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In the past few months, the golfers who’ve chosen to join LIV Golf have faced extreme criticism by media, fans and fellow players.

The fact that the money is being sourced by the Saudi Government has been one of the main points of contention as well as the fact the events feel like more of an exhibition than a professional golf event.

However, one of the other criticisms that have been echoed quite often is the lack of honesty of those who have joined LIV Golf. Many have claimed their reason for joining was to “grow the game” or for a new and unique experience. Even those who have been supportive of LIV would have a hard time claiming that those were the most influential factors of those who’ve left.

David Feherty, who made his LIV Golf debut at Trump Bedminster two weeks ago isn’t among those who are sugarcoating their reasons for joining the Saudi-backed golf series.

In a recent interview with Gary Koch, the eccentric TV personality admitted money was his primary motivator when asked by the host why he made the move:

“Money. People don’t talk about it. I hear, ‘Well, it’s to grow the game. Bullsh*t. They paid me a lot of money.”

Feherty also expressed that the opportunity to be himself again was another reason he was excited to join LIV.

“It was an opportunity to be myself again,” he said. “It’s become more and more difficult, especially in sports broadcasting, to have any kind of character. Charles Barkley can say pretty much anything he wants, because it’s, ‘Oh, that’s just Charles.’ And it is just Charles. But I have become more and more guarded over the last few years.”

As for critics who Feherty feels are ‘hoping to be offended by something’, Feherty did not mince his words, saying:

“There are people waiting around every corner hoping to be offended by something. F*** those people. Our lives are being shaped by small groups of mean-spirited people who have no sense of humor. We’re in danger of losing our national sense of humor because of this.”

Feherty was also asked about the source of the money and Saudi Arabia’s ties to 9/11.

“The 9 /11 Commission said that the Saudi government wasn’t involved,” the 63-year-old said.

“People that criticize are doing business with China, doing business with Russia. China, in particular, is a country where they’re murdering Uyghurs left, right, and centre, and their human rights record is horrendous.

“You can point to various countries throughout the world. I wouldn’t want to behave like that, but wherever golf is, good happens, and I’m hoping this will do the same thing. [LIV] has said it’s going to donate $100 million to area charities.”

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19th Hole

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

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21 hours ago

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Apr 18, 2024

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Augusta National

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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Talor Gooch: 54 holes is more exciting for the fans

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21 hours ago

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Apr 18, 2024

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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.

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

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2 days ago

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Apr 17, 2024

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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:

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.

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