While LIV Golf has certainly upset the golfing apple cart, it is perhaps fair to say that they are still some way off being the number one tour in the world.
LIV Golf managed to attract a number of big names and superstars over its first three years in existence. And it is clear that the PGA Tour is wary about its development, with talks ongoing over the last 18 months concerning a deal which sees the game come back together again.
However, LIV Golf is perhaps not attracting the audiences it would have hoped for. Greg Norman admitted that he has been disappointed not to agree a television deal during his time as CEO. And LIV Golf Greenbrier did not attract as many viewers as the Creator Classic – the event held the day before The Tour Championship at East Lake.
Cam Smith backs LIV Golf to overtake the PGA Tour
It is perhaps a little alarming given that they have the star power of figures such as Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith. But speaking to Mark Bouris, Smith insisted that he is very optimistic about LIV’s future – even when it comes to overtaking the PGA Tour.
“The team and stuff is so exciting. The stuff we talk about at meetings, not only within the team but within the league. Being so worldwide is a really great thing for us, we travel a lot but I think we bring a really good product to places that haven’t seen world class golf in a long time,” he said.
“I am really excited as a team but as a tour I think we are going to go from strength to strength and I think as time goes on we are going to have better players, more depth and I think we are going to be the tour.”
Why the PGA Tour will be wary of the threat of LIV Golf
Obviously, the concern for the PGA Tour will be the seemingly-endless riches of PIF. Ultimately, a number of players have been made to eat their previous words once they joined LIV – including Rahm.
And while some will insist that the league is offering something different – which, in fairness, it is – the financial rewards are clearly a massive factor in luring players. So almost all bets are off when it comes to who could also join in the future.
So while PIF are prepared to bankroll LIV, the league is always going to be a huge threat to the PGA Tour and the DP World Tour. And it is perhaps that fear about their potential that is driving the established tours to try and strike a deal while LIV does not have the upper hand.
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