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Leading analyst criticizes Lexi Thompson for ‘distasteful’ Aramco comments

Published

2 years ago

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Lexi Thompson finally won her 14th professional title when proving three shots too good for Brooke Henderson, Nelly Korda and company at Trumps Golf Links at Ferry Port last weekend.

Having finished runner-up in seven events since her last victory at the ShopRite Classic 2019, and blowing more than one opportunity to add to her major victory in 2014, her victory in the individual section of the Aramco Team Series was met with a touch of cynicism, particularly after her comments last week.

LIV Chaiman Greg Norman has continued to comment positively about the possibility of a LIV Womens series, hardly denied by LPGA Commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, who was asked in July about the rumors of a link with the Saudi sponsored organization.

Samaan confirmed that:

“It’s my responsibility to evaluate every opportunity. I would engage in a conversation if it would achieve our aim of promoting women’s golf but there needs to be input from players and sponsors. There’s a lot of factors to consider before we do business with LIV Golf.”

Whilst the Aramco series is not officially part of the LPGA season, there has been a recent link between the LPGA and Ladies European Tour, considerably enhancing the status and prize-money of the latter – no wonder Lexi, Nelly et al turned up last weekend.

Before LIV held its first event, there was, naturally, much disagreement over playing a tour backed by a regime with a poor human rights record, particularly against women, and the comments of Thompson at last week’s press conference have been met with a reprimand from Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch.

In front of reporters, 11-time LPGA Tour winner Thompson spoke in favour of the backing from Aramco, a company closely linked with the Saudi regime.

“I would say that without the support of Aramco, LET would not be as strong as it is today.

And I think they are growing the game of golf in women’s golf, and I think that if you speak to any of the Ladies European Tour players, they are extremely grateful for this opportunity, and I think that’s what Aramco is trying to do. They are trying to grow the women’s game, and I support that fully.”

Of the talk of a women’s series, both Nelly Korda and Thompson spoke in very much the same way, with Korda saying:

“I mean, right now that’s kind of speculation. As a player I don’t really know and that is not in my hands. That’s for the Tour commissioner,”

Thompson agreed:

“Yeah, exactly. I mean, the talks is out there that that might happen but hasn’t been brought to us. We are just doing what we can and that’s playing the LPGA and there’s not much else. We are just growing the game. There’s not much else we can do.”

However Lynch isn’t having any of that, calling Thompson’s comments “distasteful”.

Continuing, Lynch commented, “There’s a certain element of controversy to that and you can make a nuanced argument that there’s a difference between sponsorship and ownership of a tour, but that argument only takes you so far.

“It’s still … it’s soft sportswashing by another name what the Aramco Team Series are doing. And it’s easy prey because the Ladies European Tour runs on fumes.”

Following Charley Hull’s comments after her win at the Volunteers of America Classic, there seems momentum behind some LIV investment in the womens game, and Lynch isn’t a fan.

“So, it’s an easy thing to throw money at and get attention for but they did get attention from a lot of top LPGA Tour players this week, ” he said. “The LPGA Tour was off [and] a lot of players showed up and it’s not uncommon to see appearance fees paid to top players on the Ladies European Tour.

“Whether any were paid this week has not been disclosed. What I was struck by was Lexi’s comments afterwards where she said, of the sponsors, what they are doing is ‘amazing’ and they ‘are giving girls opportunities’ they are ‘growing the game’ and we’re ‘very grateful’ which seems to me a little bit distasteful to lay it on when you are talking about a regime with a record of Saudi Arabia and its state-owned oil company sponsoring the event.”

He added: “All it does is prove, I think, if there is ever some kind of alignment between Golf Saudi or LIV Golf and the LPGA Tour, if that threat arises, anyone who expects to see more evidence of a moral compass on the LPGA Tour is probably going to be disappointed.”

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19th Hole

Report: Tiger Woods voted against Rory McIlroy returning to policy board; Will be the only player negotiating directly with Saudis

Published

12 hours ago

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May 9, 2024

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According to a report from The Telegraph, the relationship between Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy has soured.

Last week, reports surfaced that McIlroy, who was a member of the PGA Tour policy board during most of the past few years, was looking to rejoin the board, presumably taking Webb Simpson’s seat.

However, on Wednesday, McIlroy revealed that he will not be rejoining the policy board, due to people on the board being “uncomfortable” with that “for some reason.”

The Telegraph has reported that Tiger Woods was among the players who voted against McIlroy returning to the policy board.

The divide is apparently due to McIlroy pushing for the game of golf to unify, whereas Woods, reportedly, believes the PGA Tour is in a fine position where it currently stands.

The Associated Press added another wrinkle to the situation, reporting that Woods is the only player who will be negotiating directly with the Saudis.

The other members of the committee are PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan, board chairman Joe Gorder, John W. Henry of Fenway Sports Group, and Joe Ogilvie, who was a former PGA Tour player.

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19th Hole

Phil Mickelson reveals he won’t be pursuing broadcasting career when he retires from golf

Published

1 day ago

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May 8, 2024

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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”

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 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.

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19th Hole

PGA Tour pro sounds off on ‘unfair’ PGA Championship invites

Published

1 day ago

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May 8, 2024

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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.”

“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.

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