REBEL ROUSER
Gooch claims outrage over LIV series has strengthened bond among the defectors
YOU may well question their motivation. Perhaps even ponder the depth of their reserves of moral fibre. But the ability of those players who have defected to LIV has simply never been a matter worthy of debate.
On what — for all we know — might be the final Open appearance for those who have switched to the Saudi-funded tour, the displays of Dustin Johnson and Talor Gooch, especially, would have left the R&A just a little hot under the collar.
Having carded rounds of 67 and 69 respectively, the likelihood of one of the American pair cradling the Claret Jug on the 18th green after the final blow has been struck tomorrow became that little bit stronger.
Given the governing body’s hard-line stance on the rebels this week — with changes over future qualification criteria for majors firmly on the agenda — it can be taken as read that a victory for a LIV player would be some way removed from a fairytale ending to the 150th Open as far as its organisers are concerned.
Only a fool would bet against it happening, though. As well as double major winner Johnson and the hugely-talented Gooch, a 66 for Sergio Garcia took him to three-under, a shot behind outspoken American Patrick Reed — a man not shy with his LIV logos this week.
And while it’s hard to imagine anyone needing to draw on any extra sources of motivation to claim the biggest prize in golf, Gooch, the effervescent 30-year-old from Oklahoma, admits that the LIV contingent are using a siege mentality to fuel their challenge.
‘I think there’s some strong players, no doubt,’ he said of the rebel contenders.
‘The credentials of everyone speak for themselves. It’s obviously cool for me to see other guys that are out there playing well.
‘We’ve caught a lot of flak for what we’ve done here recently. I think one thing that cannot be questioned is the quality of players that are there.
‘Everybody, it feels like, is against us, and that’s okay. It’s kind of banded us together, I think.’
Although the LIV issue has mercifully taken a back seat since the first ball was struck on Thursday, you can only escape it for so long.
While it remains to be seen whether the door to the four majors will, indeed, be slammed in the faces of the rebels, those who have put themselves in the eye of the storm have to reconcile themselves with that possibility.
‘I was playing with Wyndham Clark, a former team-mate of mine from Oklahoma State, the last couple days and we were talking about that,’ Gooch added.
‘I’d like to think that the majors would like to have the best players in the world playing in their events despite everything that’s going on.
‘But obviously that’s not up to me. It’s up to other people. (If it is my last one) it would be a cool one to go out on. Hopefully not, though. Who knows? I guess we’ll see.’
In the early-morning drizzle, Gooch certainly served up an impressive reminder of what we’d be missing should it come to pass.
Having started with birdies on the first and third, he clocked up another on 14 only to give one back on 16.
In trouble off the tee on the Road Hole, he produced an exquisite chip to ensure he remained six-under.
‘I kind of pulled the drive and then I had a funky lie,’ he said of his adventures on 17.
‘Fortunately, I walked up to it, and it’s one of those one-in-50 kind of lies that you’re going to get out there. Not often are you ever going to get a lie where you can actually pop it up onto the green and stop it.’
Well placed to significantly better the tie for 33rd place he claimed on his Open debut last year, Gooch’s showing over the first two days has been timely.
In the aftermath of the LIV event in Portland earlier this month — in which Gooch was part of the victorious ‘4Aces’ team along with Johnson, Pat Perez and Patrick Reed — his attempt to draw parallels with the Ryder Cup drew nothing but scorn.
Justin Thomas, someone who might know a thing or two about that environment, spoke for many when he told Gooch he was ‘definitely incorrect’.
Gooch, it can safely be assumed, might think twice about letting his mouth run off in future.
‘Yeah, a bunch of players came up, and they’re like, “Really?
Really?”’ he admitted. ‘I was like, “Hold on a second, guys, give me a little break. I just won”.
‘I was in the moment. I might have gotten a little aggressive with the comments.
‘We were pumped. I watch F1. I was so pumped to be able to spray champagne like they do in F1. Rightfully so, I’ve taken a little bit of heat for it.’
None of his detractors would ever dispute his ability, though. With a second birdie of the week on 18 putting him firmly in contention going into the weekend, it’s little wonder that the Old Course and its surrounds are getting under his skin.
‘There’s nothing better. It’s the mecca of golf, I think,’ he said. ‘The crowds, the volunteers, just the support of this whole community, it’s super, super special.
‘That’s why I dragged my wife and one-year-old girl overseas just to experience this one week and dealt with the travel hassle of it all because, while it’s hopefully not a once-in-a-lifetime experience, it’s my first one here, so I wanted to be sure we were here to enjoy it all.
‘We’ve had a pint or two, we’ve gone into town, showed them around Old Tom Morris’ grave.
‘It’s been cool to walk around through the crowds. I’m not the star power that DJ is, but it’s been cool to see some of the biggest stars in golf be able to walk around, and everyone is just kind of, hey, how are you doing?’