19th Hole
Henrik Stenson launches staunch defense of LIV Golf ahead of Open Championship
When LIV Golf was formed, a prevailing narrative was that it would be extremely difficult for the players to compete in major championships due to decreased activity. Throughout the first three majors of the year, that narrative has been disproven.
Henrik Stenson didn’t qualify for the first three majors of the year but spoke to The Guardian about how LIV players have done on the biggest stages of 2023.
“I don’t know if there is a small group that still has that thought but I think the players on LIV have proven over and over in the last six months that they are competitive,” Stenson said.
Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Patrick Reed all finished in the top-5 at The Masters, and Brooks Koepka won the PGA Championship. The U.S. Open at Los Angeles Country club saw five LIV players finish in the top-30 including Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia.
“I’m not saying 48 LIV guys have been at the top in majors but a big part of the PGA Tour has not been at the top in majors, either. LIV players qualifying for majors, making cuts and being at the top of those tournaments … if people want to keep going on another theme, that’s up to them.
“People said: ‘Oh Brooks didn’t win the Masters because it was four rounds.’ Well, Phil Mickelson finished second because of a fourth-round 65. So which way are you going to have it?”
The Ice Man is excited to finally tee it up at a major this year, and thinks his game is in good shape as we approach the 151st Open Championship.
“With the history I have at the Open, it is the one that means the most to me anyway,” he says. “It is a special event. The Open always brings back great memories.
“I want to play well for myself. If I do all my things right, I still compete at a high level. My issue is that I have not been at my level enough times. Then it doesn’t matter what course or what tournament you are at. I’ve been working hard at trying to get my form back but when things are working, I still have the game to compete.
“Is it good enough to win a major? I don’t know. Yes, I look to prove people wrong at times – that can be a motivator. There’s no question no matter whatever tour you are playing is competitive. You always want to beat whoever is in front of you. I am confident that playing well, I can have a good Open Championship.”
The 2016 Champion Golfer of the Year will look to begin proving the doubters wrong this week at Hoylake.
More from the 19th Hole
- ‘I’ve given up on him’ – Brooks Koepka accuses LIV teammate of being a quitter in scathing attack
- Major golf publication blasted for ‘insensitive’ Bryson DeChambeau post
- ‘Are you that dumb?’ – Dave Portnoy rips CBS over lack of live TV coverage of Rickie Fowler’s victory
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According to Josh Carpenter of Sports Business Journal, last week’s Open Championship suffered its lowest television rating in almost a decade.
NBC and Peacock drew 3.39M viewers on Sunday for Xander Schauffele’s two-shot win in @TheOpen, down 4% from last year and Brian Harman.
That’s the lowest number for the final round since Zach Johnson’s win in 2015, which finished on a Monday on ESPN (cable) pic.twitter.com/9r7guxnfx1
— Josh Carpenter (@JoshACarpenter) July 23, 2024
The final round was down four percent from Brian Harman’s win in 2023 at Royal Liverpool, which offered very little drama down the stretch. It was the lowest-rated final round since Zach Johnson’s win in 2015 at St. Andrews: and that was a Monday finish.
Stars such as Rory McIlroy, Bryson DeChambeau, Ludvig Aberg, Viktor Hovland all missed the cut, which may have contributed to the lack of interest from casual golf fans.
This year, the Masters and The Open have decreased in ratings while the PGA Championship and U.S. Open saw an uptick. It’s fair to speculate whether the inclusion of Bryson DeChambeau deep into contention had an impact.
More from the 19th Hole
- Shane Lowry says this prevalent criticism surrounding Rory McIlroy ‘makes his blood boil’
- Brandel Chamblee on why he feels Rory’s game ‘deteriorates in the biggest moments‘
- Tiger Woods aims brutal dig at Colin Montgomerie
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While you’re here, check out BK’s look at Xander’s Open-winning WITB.
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19th Hole
‘That looks brutal’ – First photo of Tiger Woods’ leg without sleeve shows depth of injury
It’s been a struggle of late for Tiger Woods on the golf course. The 15-time major champion has only teed it up five times in 2024, finishing 60th in The Masters and missing the cut in the other three majors. He also played in the Genesis Invitational and was forced to withdraw.
Woods has many ailments, but none as debilitating as his surgically repaired leg. Since his car accident three years ago, the 48-year-old has rarely been seen without wearing a leg sleeve. However, on Monday, a fan was able to take a photograph of Woods’ leg without the sleeve.
@blakebunkersgolf IG
??? #LOOK: A photo has emerged of Tiger Woods without his leg sleeve @TWlegion
(Via: blakebunkersgolf/IG) pic.twitter.com/ppaGLdXg8X
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 22, 2024
The photo was taken at an event Tiger’s son, Charlie, was playing in by “blakebunkersgolf” on Instagram, and one of the top responses on X towards the photo was simply “That looks brutal.”
Woods has struggled with the lack of reps on the course but hasn’t given any indication as to whether his schedule will look any different come 2025.
More from the 19th Hole
- Shane Lowry says this prevalent criticism surrounding Rory McIlroy ‘makes his blood boil’
- Brandel Chamblee on why he feels Rory’s game ‘deteriorates in the biggest moments‘
- Tiger Woods aims brutal dig at Colin Montgomerie
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While you’re here, check out BK’s look at Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB.
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John Daly withdrew at last week’s Open Championship with a knee injury, but the 58-year-old was back on the links this week showcasing one of the most famous golf courses in the world for his fans.
While at Trump Turnberry, John Daly recorded a video of the 18th green.
In the video, the 1995 Open Champion shared his opinion that Turnberry is the best golf course in Scotland, even better than St. Andrews.
?????????? #BEST OF THE BEST — John Daly says Trump Turnberry beats out St Andrews for the title of best golf course in Scotland.
Do you agree?
(Via: @LGlick1) pic.twitter.com/Ya7FIJEfp2
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) July 22, 2024
“Hey everybody, John Daly here. I’m at Trump Turnberry today. I went out and tried to play a little bit. This place is amazing. It is the best golf course in Scotland, I think. St. Andrews is my baby, but I think I just found my new baby. I’m at the 18th green right here, this thing is unreal.”
Turnberry hosted its first Open Championship in 1977, which was dubbed “The Duel in the Sun” when Tom Watson beat Jack Nicklaus by a single stroke. The most recent Open the course hosted was 2009, where Watson almost won again, but lost to Stewart Cink in a playoff.
The course is not slated to host any Open Championships in the foreseeable future.
More from the 19th Hole
- Shane Lowry says this prevalent criticism surrounding Rory McIlroy ‘makes his blood boil’
- Brandel Chamblee on why he feels Rory’s game ‘deteriorates in the biggest moments‘
- Tiger Woods aims brutal dig at Colin Montgomerie
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While you’re here, check out BK’s look at Xander Schauffele’s winning WITB.
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