Johnson is one of only two top 30 players to join LIV Golf. (Louis Oosthuizen, ranked 21st, is the other.) But the overwhelming majority...
Johnson is one of only two top 30 players to join LIV Golf. (Louis Oosthuizen, ranked 21st, is the other.) But the overwhelming majority of the others in the top 30, who are both the vanguard who overtakes the game and generally in their twenties or early thirties , supported the PGA Tour.
Johnson, 37, and Oosthuizen, 39, said Tuesday he only plans to play one more year on the PGA Tour. In fact, many golfers who entered this week’s LIV Golf event have recently seen their world ranking decline: Sergio Garcia, 42, ranked 10th in the men’s world rankings five years ago, is now 57th; Graeme McDowell, 42, was ranked 15th in 2012 and is currently No. 374; Ian Poulter, 46, was ranked 12th ten years ago and is now 92nd; Martin Kaymer, 37, the best male golfer in the world in 2011 is now ranked 215th.
It’s not inevitable that the PGA Tour’s young guard will maintain their solidarity, especially after next month’s British Open, the last major tournament of the season, is contested. The PGA Tour schedule ends in August when it turns to the FedEx Cup playoffs, which reward the winner with $15 million. But some players on the tour who don’t qualify for those playoffs could be enticed to participate in some of LIV Golf’s latest lucrative events in September and October.
This could be especially true for golfers with lower Tour status, but they would most likely still face suspension from the PGA Tour that could continue into next year. And maybe beyond. Is it worth it ?
The situation and landscape of professional golf is changing. Johnson, a prominent figure in golf, and Mickelson, an aging and aging – albeit popular – golf personality seemed to turn their backs on the status quo. At least temporarily, to hear some of Johnson’s words.
Mickelson, it should be noted, insisted on Tuesday that he plans to keep the lifetime membership of the PGA Tour that he acquired during his long career.
If it feels knotty, keep in mind that it might get more tangled. The next step in golf’s burgeoning showdown could be in court.
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