Connect with us

19th Hole

‘I didn’t really think it through’ – Pat Perez explains decision to drop out of LIV Golfers’ lawsuit against PGA Tour

Published

on

Earlier this month, 11 ex-PGA Tour players now playing on the LIV series, issued an ‘antitrust’ lawsuit against the PGA Tour, citing, “The Tour’s conduct serves no purpose other than to cause harm to players and foreclose the entry of the first meaningful competitive threat the Tour has faced in decades.”

The response from PGA commissioner Jay Monahan read like a man confident in his organization’s stance and, not long after, Carlos Ortiz withdrew his name from the suit, his manager stating he “does not want to be involved in any legal battles. He (Ortiz) is thankful for the opportunity he had to play on the PGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour the last few years”.

He isn’t now the only name to pull out of what will be a historic trial, with Pat Perez the latest player to drop his stance.

Along with his wife, the three-time PGA Tour winner was initially one of the more vociferous supporters of the LIV tour, insisting that “I’m playing golf. This group has given me the opportunity to play golf and have a different schedule. That’s my only concern.”

However, the 46-year-old now feels that he joined to lawsuit only out of loyalty to his fellow LIV competitors, and bears no “ill feelings towards the PGA Tour or any of the players.”

Having pocketed a signing on fee and just short of $2 million in two LIV events, he clearly doesn’t regret the decision to jump ship, but doesn’t want to cut ties completely with those that run the PGA and Champions tours:

Perez admitted to Sports Illustrated, “I didn’t really think it through.”

Justifying the initial decision, Perez said, “I did it to back our guys – I’m a LIV guy, 100 per cent. I’m going to play for them but I don’t feel any need to go after the PGA Tour. ”

“They gave me a wonderful opportunity for 21 years. I’ve got nothing against them, no hard feelings toward anybody. I earned everything I got out there, don’t get me wrong.”

“I chose to leave, and I’m not looking to come back. I’d like to maybe play the Champions Tour one day if that can work out and that’s why I have not given up my membership. But there is no benefit to doing this [the lawsuit]. I have an unbelievable deal with LIV and I’m behind them 100 percent.”

11 becomes nine, and with the trial set for early 2024, the number may yet reduce further.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 28
  • LEGIT5
  • WOW1
  • LOL6
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP2
  • OB1
  • SHANK32

19th Hole

“Is it a Titleist?” – Jerry Seinfeld shares never-before-heard details of iconic scene

Published

on

On Thursday, legendary comedian Jerry Seinfeld joined the Rich Eisen Show and shared an awesome story from a “Seinfeld” episode titled “The Marine Biologist.”

In the episode, a golf ball goes into the blow hole of a whale. According to Seinfeld, that was never in the episode’s script.

Seinfeld recalls saying the night before the filming of the episode, “What if what puts the whale in distress is Kramer’s golf ball?”

“He’s hitting golf balls at the beach. George is at the beach with a girl, we haven’t connected them!”

“We write that speech the night before at two o’clock in the morning…The sea was angry that day my friend.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Rich Eisen (@richeisen)


Kramer finishes the iconic scene by asking “Is it a Titleist?” Seinfeld told Eisen the show sought Titleist’s permission to mention its name, saying the ball had to be a Titleist. Fortunately for lovers of the iconic show, the company agreed.

If (somehow) you’re unfamiliar with the scene, check it out below.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 11
  • LEGIT2
  • WOW0
  • LOL2
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP0
  • OB0
  • SHANK0

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Phil Mickelson drops big retirement hint; Says LIV will grow the game ‘on a much more global basis’

Published

on

While speaking with Bloomberg, golf legend Phil Mickelson acknowledged that he is inching close towards retirement.

“I’m 53 now,” Phil said, “and my career, you know, it’s — if I’m being truthful, it’s on — it’s — it’s — I’m a — it’s towards its end.”

Mickelson added that one of his focuses now is helping other young players.

“Now, I would like to help others find the same enjoyment and fulfillment that the game has provided me. I’d like them to experience that as well.”

The six-time major champion credited LIV with reaching new markets in golf to help it grow.

“I think that’s exciting for everyone involved in the game because we are going to reach markets that we didn’t reach before. I think it’s going to inspire more golf courses, inspire more manufacturers selling clubs and equipment, but also inspiring young kids to try to play golf professionally. I just see that the game of golf is going to grow on a much more global basis because of the excitement and the presence that LIV Golf has.”

Mickelson is playing at this week’s LIV Singapore and shot a first round 72 (+1).

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 19
  • LEGIT4
  • WOW2
  • LOL4
  • IDHT2
  • FLOP3
  • OB0
  • SHANK26

Continue Reading

19th Hole

Tiger explains why golf has ‘negative connotations’ for daughter Sam

Published

on

While Tiger Woods’ son, Charlie, has certainly inherited his father’s love for golf, his daughter, Sam, has not.

On Wednesday, Tiger made an appearance on The Today Show with Carson Daly and explained his daughter’s relationship with golf.

“Golf has negative connotations for her. When she was growing up, golf took daddy away from her. I had to pack, I had to leave, and I was gone for weeks. So, there were negative connotations to it.

“We developed our own relationship and our own rapport outside of golf. We do things that doesn’t involve golf. Meanwhile, my son and I, everything we do is golf related.”

The nine-minute interview touches on plenty of other subjects, such as Tiger’s relationship with his late father, Earl.

It’s arguably the most open we’ve seen the 15-time major champion in an interview and is most definitely worth watching.

More from the 19th Hole

Your Reaction?
  • 10
  • LEGIT7
  • WOW1
  • LOL3
  • IDHT0
  • FLOP1
  • OB1
  • SHANK3

Continue Reading

WITB

Facebook

Trending