Lex Luthor may be in full flow but there are no Supermen in LIV camp
FORMER Open champion Cameron Smith sent his tee shot on the 18th hole on Saturday at the Masters towards the trees, his Ripper teambranded golf bag by his side. Minutes earlier, 2018 champion Patrick Reed, in a 4 Aces team shirt, began the final hole of his third round. Smith and Reed were two of 13 LIV Tour golfers at Augusta this week. Have you ever heard of the Ripper and 4 Aces teams?
LIV boss Greg Norman, who is resembling a Lex Luthor-type figure in golf’s divide, strode the fairways.
Norman posted a photo on Instagram on Sunday morning of his time at Augusta and pictured beside him on the cross walk was the Galwayman we met during the week, Evan Kilroy – proudly wearing his maroon inter-county jersey. I wonder if Greg has ever been to Supermac’s?
Underneath the photo was the Shark’s heartfelt thanks to the patrons of Augusta, a place where he should have won a green jacket as a player, but never did.
‘The few days I spent at Augusta walking for the first time ever behind the ropes, embedded in the heartbeat of golf – the patrons – were extremely powerful and poignant,’ wrote Norman.
‘It was humbling, moving and I was taken back by your words of encouragement – “thank you for what you have done for golf” “don’t stop” “Love LIV” and the one that got to me personally and emotionally, “welcome back.”
‘My right hand is sore from shaking hands with each and every one of you as well as the hugs given to so many.
‘Golf is golf and on the hallowed grounds of Augusta National healthy competition (which is the bedrock of America) resonated.’
Healthy competition is an interesting line from Norman because LIV, with its unlimited Saudibacked funds and ability to prise away defending Masters champion Jon Rahm and top players such as Smith, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau from the PGA Tour, has served to fracture the sport from the bedrock of what true competition is – the best against the best.
It hasn’t helped the PGA Tour and it hasn’t grown mass appeal for LIV, because their format and tactics are not viewed in a positive light by many fans of the game. Tiger Woods, in Sunday red, was 15 over par at Amen Corner and receiving tremendous support from the patrons. You can’t force people to love you.
LIV’s 54-hole tournaments and team format with no visceral connection to fans is blunting the edge of their stars. This has not been a good Masters for LIV players.
Dustin Johnson looked like a pale shadow of the powerhouse who shot 20 under par to win the Masters in 2020.
He carded rounds of 78 and 79 to miss the cut on 13 over par. Sergio Garcia, Bubba Watson, Charl Schwartzel and Adrian Meronk all missed the cut too. Rahm, Koepka and Mickelson, the tournament within yesterday way Rahm out top 40 was of minutes three morning the last 5 running. over players year, of and par one all they through another teed in were the off 54 and Tyrrell holes, Mickelson Hatton a meek were and defence. Joaquin 6 over. Koepka Reed, Niemann started were his all final over round par. from Smith 1 under par with an outside chance, but probably too far back to make something happen.
Bryson DeChambeau has been the best of them. He was around the top of the leaderboard on Saturday before chunking his third shot on 15 into the water and a double bogey ensued.
Once again, it begs the question, is he match-sharp?
DeChambeau entered the final round opportunity. the phases come week. mad across on of scientist 3 his He as under more career has and gone par humble bulking and with through he’s this up an game. He’s called for peace in the sure ‘We now that have this a duty great to game make continues and grows in a positive manner now, compared to the divisiveness that’s occurred over the last few years. ‘I personally think that we could figure that out quickly if we just sit down and hash it out for a week,’ said DeChambeau. One thing I am personally certain of – until this is all resolved and golf unifies – I never want to hear the phrase ‘growing the game’ from Norman or a LIV golfer again.