LIV Golf is one of the most divisive outlets in all of sport right now but one man who isn’t a fan of the tour is golf legend, Ernie Els.
LIV has blown apart what was previously a rather calm environment where the PGA ruled the roost and the rest bowed to their wishes.
The Saudi-backed tour has plucked some of the biggest names in the world from the PGA as the likes of Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau have all jumped ship.
As we know, LIV plays over 54 holes with music often blaring out on course. And in LIV Adelaide recently, we saw crowds throwing beers onto the course and everything that goes with it.
However, while that appeals to some and has a space in the golf world, four-time major winner Ernie Els has spoken out on why LIV Golf just isn’t for him.
Ernie Els explains why he’d never go and play for LIV Golf
Speaking to media outlet Yellow Hammer, Els admitted he’s not been offered anything from LIV and says in its current format, he’d not play anyway.
““No, I’ve not had an offer…Listen, I know some of the Saudi guys; they genuinely love the game of golf. But the LIV current format is not proper golf. It wouldn’t have been for me, whatever stage of my career I was at,” Els said.
“Obviously I hope they can work out their differences, because this mess is not good for our sport. We’ll have to see. But the fact remains, to my mind, the LIV golf format doesn’t work, not in the way they’re playing at the moment.”
Els, though, did have an idea where the team format might be incorporated into the golf sphere.
“Maybe there’s a place for team golf within the global schedule – maybe put some teams together, play a two-month happy season, so to speak. But the rest of the year, let’s play real golf.”
LIV Golf is here to stay
While the comments here from the legendary Els are valid and LIV could probably do some things better, it is not going anywhere fast.
The sheer amount of top players moving to the tour and the money involved means they’re going to be around for the long-term and as Els says, a deal needs to be done between all tours at some point.
Greg Norman recently spoke of his plans and how the investment from the Saudis is now seeing a return after just a few years. In business terms, that means their product is working in some way, so they’re not going to back away anytime soon.
Further, LIV has actually had a few good events this year. The one in Adelaide was memorable for different reasons, while Singapore also produced quality golf as Brooks Koepka won again.
LIV, then, looks set to continue to dominate headlines in the golf world.
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