LIV Golf UK has been and gone after Jon Rahm landed his first individual win since turning his back on the PGA Tour at the end of 2023.
The two-time major winner edged out teammate Tyrrell Hatton at JCB Golf and Country Club. The Englishman missed a par putt on the 54th hole to force a play-off.
Rahm admitted after his victory that he was disappointed that Hatton missed his par putt, with the Spaniard insisting he wanted a play-off.
It was certainly an interesting experience in Uttoxeter, and The Golfing Gazette has delivered a verdict after witnessing the action firsthand.
YouTube golf star Rick Shiels was also in attendance at JCB and has now shared his thoughts on the event as a whole.
Rick Shiels drops LIV Golf UK verdict
Speaking during the latest Rick Shiels Golf Show Podcast, Shiels claimed the shotgun start concept still needs work for online viewers.
“The shotgun start is still a concept that I’m not sure as a viewing experience online is perfect yet,” he explained. “As a viewing experience on a golf course live, I don’t think much beats it because you can sit in one position all day. From the shotgun start at 2:30 until 7 o’clock, you get four and a half hours of golf every 10 minutes on that hole, and you see every one of the golfers you plan to see that day.”
The YouTube sensation went on to explain the difference in atmosphere compared to The Open Championship, which he experienced the week prior at Royal Troon.
“The atmosphere is so different to The Open,” he added. “There’s music in certain parts, I have to say. If you want music, and party, and loud cheering. There are spots on the course where you get that. On the party hole it was definitely that. If you want to experience a more subdued event, you could do that by going to the sixth hole, for argument’s sake, where there wasn’t much of a crowd, and music wasn’t blaring.”
“I enjoyed it. I thought the atmosphere was brilliant. It’s a younger crowd. It was very, very good. I ended up being invested for the whole weekend. I still think there are elements of the team that can be strengthened. But being on the ground and at a golf event is very, very, very different from any other golf event I have ever been to.”
LIV Golf is growing, but it still needs work
The clamour for LIV’s presence is there from a spectator sense. Those who went to JCB all appeared to enjoy the experience, and the three days were successful.
Shiels, however, is right about the current online viewing situation. Firstly, LIV needs to find a way to get on a regular TV broadcast schedule.
YouTube is great for those who know about the league and when the rounds are taking place, but there is still a large audience which can be tapped into. The sooner an agreement is reached on that front, the better.
Furthermore, the shotgun start makes it hard to keep track of where the players are on the course. At times, watching it online felt a tad confusing.
Of course, the league is still in its fledgling stages, and these issues can be ironed out in time for the 2025 edition.
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