Editor’s note: This story incorrectly named Ian Poulter for a quote that went unnamed in the original Telegraph story.
For a league that has struggled to stir up organic attention throughout its second season, LIV Golf has been letting its players try to make headlines this week at its season finale in Miami.
The LIV Golf Team Championship at Trump National Doral will be the final chapter of the Saudi Arabia-backed league’s sophomore campaign, and LIV players have been an open book — an eclipse-esc rarity—this week.
Phil Mickelson, who has just one top-10 finish in 13 LIV starts this year (remember, the fields only consist of 48 players), claimed that he “knows” more PGA Tour professionals will jump ship for the Greg Norman-led circuit.
“Do I think that? No, I know that’s going to happen,” Mickelson said Wednesday when asked whether he expects another movement of players. “When players look at LIV, they want to be a part of it. Everybody here is happy and enjoying what they’re doing and enjoying the team aspect of it. Enjoying each other and the camaraderie, and enjoying bringing golf globally and all that comes with playing this tour.
“So there’s a lot of players that see that and want to be a part of it. The question is how many spots are available? There’s a lot more players that want to come than have spots.”
Then, Bubba Watson claimed that there is incredible interest from outsiders to buy the RangeGoats GC, the LIV team he captains.
“Anywhere from 10 to 20 people have asked to buy the RangeGoats. There was three in Singapore, and then after Singapore the floodgates opened, there was even more,” he said. “There’s been talk this week. I met with people this week. Yeah, there’s quite a few.”
And now, other players have come out swinging at Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and the tech-infused league the two major championship winners are launching in January 2024, the TGL.
“Everyone – big businesses, celebrities, sports stars – suddenly want to get in with team sports,” Ian Poulter told The Telegraph. “Look at Wrexham [Football Club] with those Hollywood actors and other superstars at other teams, clubs and franchises.”
“It’s a blatant fop to Tiger and Rory to keep them onside and earn them millions of guess what, ‘guaranteed money,'” said an unnamed player.
“Suddenly” is quite the word choice to describe celebrities and sports stars’ interest in ownership and team sports. It’s been happening for years. Michael Jordan bought the Charlotte Hornets in 2010. Serena and Venus Williams bought a stake in the Miami Dolphins in 2009. Lebron James invested in Fenway Sports Group (Boston Red Sox, Liverpool FC) in 2011.
Not exactly a new trend.
And for the record, Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney bought Wrexham almost three years ago.
“Look at the news in F1 (with McIlroy joining the likes of Anthony Johsua and Trent Alexander Arnold investing in the Alpine team). It’s not just the potential profit margin, it’s being involved and the fun to be had. It’s a win, win. Everyone wants a bit and I think LIV has been a leader in this, yeah. Definitely in golf.”
Poulter and teammate Lee Westwood face off against Abraham Ancer and Carlos Ortiz of Fireballs GC in the quarterfinals Friday.
