If Patrick Reed yells “Come on!!!” after making a putt but no one is there to hear him, did he really yell “Come on!!”? In other words, do you think LIV players care how few people see them in person? @HeavySvenB
This is the salvation of the team concept: it forces players to worry that their performance affects others. It’s a ridiculous analogy, but at the last Uncle Tony Invitational, I busted my ass for a reason: I didn’t want to let down my partner, a certain Michael Bamberger. He is human in nature and competitive. They have so much more to offer at LIV. Money, of course, but also his professional reputation. You could see how incredibly proud and relieved Pat Perez was to help his teammates at Doral after being a joke for most of this season. So I think all the emotions and gestures at the season finale event were real, even without huge crowds.
Would you say Seamus’ power is key for Europe in next fall’s Ryder Cup? #Ask Alan @gabehurl
Rome is still far away. There are five no-brainers for Europe: McIlroy, Rahm, Fitzpatrick, Lowry and Hovland. Given his experience and talent in the cup, barring serious crashes, you have to assume Hatton and Fleetwood will be in the team. That leaves five spots and Power (below) is clearly the most up-and-coming among those contenders, a list that includes Danny Willett, Alex Noren, Thomas Pieters, Adrian Oteaegui, Bob MacIntyre, Thomas Detry, Jordan Smith and Justin Rose (!). . Overall, this is a solid and loud piece of equipment. The United States has not won in Europe this century. This cup will largely be defined by the bottom half of the European team – can they offer enough depth and firepower to take on a top-tier American team? We will see.
What is a better rivalry, PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf or West Coast vs. East Coast ’90s rap? #Ask Alan @CJ_81
Ooooh, now you’re making me think of all the parallels. In this scenario, the PGA Tour has to be the East Coast: more established, a little bloated, ripe for disruption from a brazen new prospect funded by creepy moms.
Jay Monahan is Puffy: an extravagantly paid figurehead who is unaware that he has no street credit.
Greg Norman is Suge Knight: vindictive, shady, prone to irresponsible excesses.
Rory is Biggie: lots of play and much love, but the work is incomplete.
Phil is Tupac: a troubled genius whose erratic nature overshadows his insane abilities.
Jon Rahm is Craig Mack: a key character who keeps a low profile.
Tiger is Dre: pushing all the buttons behind the scenes, but also being able to launch a classic.
JT is Mase: some great hits but riding someone else’s coattails.
DJ is Snoop: a secretive mega-talent who changes the rules of the game.
And Ashley Pérez is Faith Evans: always in the middle of things.
yes x [Xander Schauffele] Y [Patrick] I can not walk [to LIV]– Will it really make waves? @SusanSSL
Yes, being part of the Delaware Two Dozen would not only hurt the tour’s impact on young talent, but their defection would serve as a rebuke to Tiger and Rory’s enthusiastic leadership. The signing of the reigning Olympic gold medalist has value to international markets and the loss of Schauffele and Cantlay would be a huge blow to the US Ryder and Presidents Cup teams, which appear to be a focus for LIV. While neither player is a crossover star, a team change would be a huge deal in this ongoing personal battle.
Do you see a PGA Tour regression on the horizon? Declining ratings, declining sponsorships, etc? #Ask Alan @MichaelSmyth
On this topic, I keep coming back to my hometown event, the Crosby Clambake. He would get three stars a year: Phil, DJ and Jordan. Now two of them have eloped to LIV. Shame on the fans and title sponsor AT&T, not to mention me. I’ve heard a lot of backlash from sponsors who are being asked to spend even more on a product that has clearly been cut. But the PGA Tour will have more events next year when all of its top players gather, and a few more when the top players are almost completely absent. We’ll see how that affects fan interest. This has been a rocky season for LIV, with players joining at different times and no TV exposure. I don’t think we can really judge the new landscape by the end of 2023, but I do expect PGA Tour ratings to drop compared to 2021, and that will certainly have an impact on what sponsors are willing to spend.
That Fire Pit is offered an exclusive media deal for a tour. LIV offers $5 million, PGA Tour offers you $2 million; which one do you take @MartinMcSports
Neither, because the only reason we started this company was to be independent voices, committed to no one. Credibility does not come with a price tag. Or can we take the money from both? That would keep us neutral but allow for much more luxurious corporate gifts.
Would the prospects of a LIV TV deal be better if Phil was in the locker room instead of on the field? #Ask Alan @tobythehound
Oooh, that’s the best idea I’ve heard in a long time! I’ve long believed Mickelson would be a force as a broadcaster – think Johnny Miller with a higher Q-rating and a sharper needle. Certainly he’s an underutilized asset right now, barely a part of LIV’s social media offerings and keeping a low profile with reporters. Putting him in the locker room alongside Feherty would be spectacular and Mickelson could certainly offer more value that way than finishing 30th in all tournaments.
With the biggest rosters to allow LIV players, some more prominent signings around the corner, and a media deal coming next season (paid or not), what’s Monahan’s next move? #Ask Alan @kylelabat
You need to shore up the talent pool. With LIV’s massive investment in the Asian Tour/International Series, that wallet will double and triple what is offered on the Korn Ferry Tour. Asia/LIV is becoming increasingly attractive to young players fighting for a chance. Monahan needs to pump money into the KFT to keep it viable. Skimming that Champions Tour dough would be the easiest way to do it. Along with Fred Couples, Mickelson was the biggest star of the Champions Tour, but now he’s gone. And Freddy is 63 with a bad back, so who knows how much longer he’ll be able to produce. Tiger has growing doubts about whether he will ever play with the seniors. Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter would have added big names and personalities for years to come, but they gave up on the opportunity. The Tour should be much more concerned with nurturing the next generation of stars than with subsidizing the elderly.
I still think about how unsentimental James Hahn (above) was when he appeared on your podcast. Is that the sentiment of most players? Perhaps this is how veteran players feel about the PGA Tour? #Ask Alan @david_troyan
Professional golfers, by definition, play golf for money. Maybe a dozen or two are genuinely concerned with history/legacy. Apart from the four main championships, most weeks are the same for most players: a chance to win money. To them, there’s not much difference between an LIV event in Boston or the Greater Hartford Open, other than the LIV event having a much smaller field and a much, much bigger purse.
Did you install the hole-in-one ball and where is it on display? @mullaney_matt
I’m working in it! I have a shelf in my living room with trophies, awards, old press cards, and a few favorite golf trip photos, and it’s going there. Although I am tempted to sweep up and hang all the family photos on the mantelpiece. I’m sure my kids would understand.
