2022 has proven to be a year like no other in the world of golf, no doubt thanks to the introduction of the LIV Golf Series. Best known for its traditions, the sport has had its rule book ripped up and re-written by Greg Norman and co who have seemingly revolutionised the professional game.
The (unfair) traditions often loaded onto the sport is that it can be 'boring', it 'lacks action' or it 'takes too long', LIV however have looked to change that. The Saudi-backed series has undoubtedly modernised the sport, with the likes of an NFL-liked draft used, game time reduced and a savvy new team competition introduced.
Series CEO Norman has himself prided the circuit on making professional golf 'more fun', having recently told ESPN: "Fans are getting new and more exciting golf. The experience at our events is [like] nothing else. It's fun and that's the way golf should be...
"We've delivered through music and the players are having more fun. LIV has a [much] lighter touch." As a result, this move away from the status quo has no doubt elevated golf, and put into headlines and the public eye like never before.
Despite this interest, the repercussions the saga has had on the sport have certainly outweighed the positives. It seems all well and good spreading the sport further afield, but this has come at a cost.
Compared to many other sports the respect held between players within professional golf has always been commendable, however the chaos surrounding the Saudi-backed series has torn this apart. One man who has pledged his allegiances to the PGA Tour has been world No. 1 Rory McIlroy, and he himself alluded to the destruction caused between player relationships earlier this year.
Speaking in August, McIlroy admitted he felt the LIV Golf saga had 'ripped the game apart'. In that very same interview the Northern Irishman also added, "It’s going to be hard for me to stomach going to Wentworth and seeing 18 of them there. That just doesn’t sit right with me."
The 18 he was referring to were 18 LIV players who were making a controversial return to the DP World Tour for its flagship event - the BMW PGA Championship. In particular the trio of Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood were included in the 18, three players who had been long-time friends and Ryder Cup teammates of McIlroy.
Therefore, the fact the four-time major winner admitting it would be 'hard to stomach' meeting up and playing with some of his closest allies is as damning an indictment of any in showing exactly where professional golf finds itself on the past 12 months. Likewise that fact that Garcia, Poulter and Westwood - three of Europe's greatest ever players - are not welcome at their home tour's flagship event is just as heartbreaking.
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It feels European golf in particular has felt the effects more than most with the said three stars having been so important to the continent's recent successes over their American rivals in the Ryder Cup. Their LIV Golf allegiances mean their affiliation with Team Europe has been left in tatters, and the idea of all three of Garcia, Poulter and Westwood no longer being involved in the European set up is arguably the saddest fall out of any.
There is no question LIV Golf's maiden campaign has been a success, with many within the world of golf - most notably McIlroy - writing off the idea that breakaway circuit could even exist just months before Norman and co kicked their new venture off at the Centurion Club in June.
However, with relations in the professional game seemingly shattered it is fair to say this 'success' has not been felt elsewhere.
