LIV players await fan reaction
BROOKLINE, Mass. — Every loudmouth from Yarmouth and Masshole from Athol has descended on The Country Club this week, when 14 golfers in the U.S. Open field will face the American public for the first time since defecting to an upstart, Saudi Arabian-backed tour.
The injection of genuine international intrigue is expected to energize the legendarily obnoxious Boston sports fan and make the staid, secretive enclave look more like a Sam Adams commercial casting call.
Guys named Sully and Fitz lined the fairways and greens at the 140-year-old club during the practice rounds, ready to greet their least favorite golfers with the same reception their ancestors gave the Redcoats at Lexington and Concord.
“It’s going to be loud, and it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said defending U.S. Open champion
Jon Rahm, who has stuck with the PGA Tour and eschewed the bigger, guaranteed paydays offered by LIV Golf.
“There hasn’t been a U.S. Open here in a very long time, so they’re hungry for it, and you can tell,” Rahm said. “It almost feels like with what’s going on in the world of golf, they almost want to show their presence even more. I don’t know exactly what to expect, but I’m really looking forward to it.”
More tentative was Phil Mickleson, a six-time major champion who is the biggest name among the LIV contingent. He said in February that Saudi regime funding the new tour had some “scary [expletive],” but still took a reported $200 million to play on it.
One of the most popular players in the world, Mickelson said on Monday that he was unsure if his supporters would abandon him.
Just in case, he buttered up the locals like a Parker House roll.
“The Boston crowds are some of the best in sports,” Mickelson said during a 25-minute media session after arriving in this Boston suburb from last week’s LIV event outside of London. “I think that their excitement and energy is what creates such a great atmosphere.”
The U.S. Open crowds were thick, but well-behaved early in the week as golfers played their practice rounds. Two graying women discussed their online bridge matches while waiting to cross the 18th fairway. Men wearing golf shirts from their home clubs discussed business, or their latest round.
Mickelson had a handful of police walking with him on Tuesday — not unusual for one of the sport’s biggest names, even if they did seem to be on higher alert than usual. They heard only cheers as their protectee made his way around the course.
“Good stuff, Phil!” shouted Kameron Luthea, a Cumberland, Rhode Island, man who watched Mickelson tee off on No. 6 on Tuesday. “Boston loves you, Phil!”
Luthea said he became a Mickelson fan because they are both left-handed. Asked if he was troubled by the connection to the repressive Saudi regime, Luthea said carefully: “I support Phil and his golf game.”
“I like the way he plays,” Luthea said. “He’s in it to win it. He’s got no fear.”
In fact, Mickelson may have nothing to fear this week other than the punishing Country Club layout. The 51-year-old San Diegan, who turns 52 today, has won every major tournament except the U.S. Open, which bills itself as “golf’s toughest test,” finishing second a record six times.
“Don’t be killing the Boston fans,” Larry Costello, a resident of the nearby West Roxbury neighborhood, told a reporter after Mickelson came over to the gallery to greet an acquaintance. Fans took selfies and reached out with items for the golfer to sign before he headed off down the fairway to complete his round.