Latest news with #SaudiArabian-backed
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 PGA Championship: Brooks Koepka snaps at heckling fan, misses the cut at Quail Hollow
Brooks Koepka did not have a great week at Quail Hollow. Koepka, who missed the cut at the PGA Championship, got into it briefly with a heckling spectator on the course Friday. A fan sitting in a hospitality tent made a quip about LIV Golf as Koepka walked by. After taking a minute to process it, Koepka fired back. "That's what guaranteed money does to you, Brooks," the fan yelled, referencing the more than $100 million Kopeka earned for joining the Saudi Arabian-backed league. "You want to come down here and say it?" Koepka yelled at the fan, who didn't have much of a response. Good on Brooks Koepka to call out this loser who just squirms immediately after being a total idiot — LIV Golf Buff (@LIVGolfBuff) May 17, 2025 While fighting with fans for any reason isn't a great sign, it's easy to see why Koepka was on edge. He looked awful throughout the first two rounds of the tournament. He shot a 4-over 75 on Thursday, and then he fired a 5-over 76 on Friday to get to 9-over on the week — which was well outside the cutline. Koepka had six bogeys and a double on his card Friday, too. Koepka, who has won the PGA Championship three times, has struggled recently at the major championships — which is becoming a trend for many who opted to join LIV Golf. Koepka didn't finish better than T26 at any of the four majors last season, and he missed the cut at the Masters last month. Koepka entered this week at No. 354 in the Official World Golf Rankings, though he's unable to earn points at LIV Golf events. He's got an outside chance at earning a spot in the U.S. Ryder Cup team this fall, though automatically qualifying is almost certainly out of the question after his performances at the first two major championships. Koepka will have a chance to turn things around next month at the U.S. Open, a tournament he's won twice in his career. But with the way things are going, and the current state of things between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, he shouldn't be surprised if there are more comments hurled his way at Oakmont.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2025 PGA Championship: Brooks Koepka snaps at heckling fan, misses the cut at Quail Hollow
Brooks Koepka has not had a great week at Quail Hollow. Koepka, who missed the cut at the PGA Championship, got into it briefly with a heckling spectator on the course on Friday. A fan sitting in a hospitality tent made a quip about LIV Golf as Koepka walked by. After taking a minute to process it, Koepka fired back. Advertisement "That's what guaranteed money does to you, Brooks," the fan yelled, referencing the more than $100 million he earned for joining the Saudi Arabian-backed league. "You want to come down here and say it?" Koepka yelled at the fan, who didn't have much of a response. While fighting with fans for any reason isn't a great sign, it's easy to see why Koepka was on edge. He looked awful throughout the first two rounds of the tournament. He shot a 4-over 75 on Thursday, and then he fired a 5-over 76 on Friday to get to 9-over on the week — which was well outside the projected cutline. Koepka had six bogeys and a double on his card on Friday, too. Advertisement Koepka, who has won the PGA Championship three times, has struggled recently at the major championships — which is becoming a trend for many who opted to join LIV Golf. Koepka didn't finish better than T26 at any of the four majors last season, and he missed the cut at the Masters last month, too. Koepka entered this week at No. 354 in the Official World Golf Rankings, though he's unable to earn points at LIV Golf events. He's got an outside chance at earning a spot in the U.S. Ryder Cup team this fall, though automatically qualifying is almost certainly out of the question after his performances at the first two major championships. Koepka will have a chance to turn things around next month at the U.S. Open, a tournament he's won twice in his career. But with the way things are going, and the current state of things between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour, he shouldn't be surprised if there are more comments hurled his way at Oakmont.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Luke Donald ‘expects' Jon Rahm to make Ryder Cup team despite doubts over form
Luke Donald has said Jon Rahm has been given 'no assurances' that he will make Europe's Ryder Cup team, but admitted he would 'expect' him to make the cut despite a dip in form. The two-time major winner finished top of the LIV league last season but has not won an event in it since, amid a general drop-off in form since his defection to the Saudi Arabian-backed tour in 2023. Advertisement The Spaniard has not won a major in that time and has only made the top 10 once in the last four, but was an integral part of the triumphant Europe side in Rome in 2023. 'I haven't given anyone the nod,' Europe captain Donald said of selection for the 12-strong team. 'I think it's a little bit too early for that. 'We know exactly how these players are playing. We have a great idea of where they stack up against each other and against the US. 'But I certainly think it's a little too early to be giving anyone firm assurances right now. I want them to go out and feel like they go and earn it. Advertisement 'In terms of Jon, he's one of the best players in the world, and I would expect him to be on that team, but I certainly haven't given him those assurances.' This week's PGA Championship will be a key event for Donald in assessing the form of those fighting to make the cut. The Englishman conceded that experience in major tournaments and handling the pressure of the occasion would be a significant factor in who he selected, with a boisterous atmosphere expected at Bethpage Black in September. He added: 'I think I will certainly give a little bit more importance to experience, people who have been able to handle those big moments under the most scrutiny.'
Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
LIV Golf star that snubbed Rory McIlroy shares feelings now – ‘It's eye-opening'
Tom McKibbin has no regrets about snubbing the PGA Tour and joining LIV Golf, despite the warning he was given by Rory McIlroy about the Saudi-backed breakaway league Tom McKibbin has no regrets about his move to LIV Golf, despite Rory McIlroy's previous advice against joining the Saudi Arabian-backed league. The 22-year-old defied his fellow Northern Irishman by signing up for the extraordinary money on offer from the breakaway division in January of this year. When McKibbin made his decision, McIlroy cautioned him against giving up the PGA Tour card he had earned on the European Tour in 2024. However, the highly-rated prospect chose to forgo the opportunity in favour of a reported £4million LIV offer. "If I were in his position, I wouldn't make that decision," McIlroy said after McKibbin confirmed his defection. However, it seems the move is paying off for the Belfast-born golfer, as he's estimated to have earned £3.3m from just seven tournaments at LIV, as per Belfast Live. 'No, very happy,' he told the Irish Independent when asked if he had any doubts over his move. 'I've had a great time." McKibbin joined the Legion XIII team at LIV, playing alongside skipper Jon Rahm as well as Tyrrell Hatton and Caleb Surratt. He describes the experience of competing with some of the best in golf as "eye-opening", adding: "I've been very, very lucky to play with a lot of very good players so far this year and I've definitely seen my golf game improve, playing tough courses like [Trump National] Doral. "So it's definitely prepared me a little bit better. Yeah, I'm very happy. I've been very fortunate to tee up alongside several stellar players who have shone in the majors and battle it out with them. "I've obviously been playing with Jon in a lot of practice rounds, and then on tournament days as well, so to see how they approach the game and tackle the courses has really opened my eyes." McIlroy hasn't minced his words when it comes to LIV. Back in September 2022, the PGA loyalist didn't hold back, telling the press: "I hate what it's doing to the game of golf, I hate it. I really do." He later added: "If LIV Golf was the last place to play golf on Earth, I would retire. That's how I feel about it". But time has somewhat mellowed his outlook, with McIlroy conceding that he was "a little judgmental" about those who made the jump. McKibbin will now link up with McIlroy at Quail Hollow for the US PGA Championship at the weekend, where he is aiming to catch up with his friend and compatriot. The youngster has been tipped for the top and to even follow in McIlroy's footsteps, and while he may be taking a more unconventional route from the 36-year-old, he insists they're on good terms. 'I'll catch up with him over the next couple of days and sort of get his thoughts on it,' McKibbin said when asked if he'd spoken to the Masters champ. 'I sent him a few texts after he won [the Masters], but I actually haven't seen him, I haven't been home."
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Masters 2025: Only 12 LIV Golf members are in the field, and merger is 'not happening anytime soon'
Only seven of the 12 LIV Golf members have lifetime exemptions at the Masters after previously winning a green jacket The PGA Tour and LIV Golf are back together again. Well, briefly at least. A dozen members from the Saudi Arabian-backed circuit are in the field this week at the Masters, which will mark just one of four events this season where the two tours are integrated again. The Tour and the Public Investment Fund, which backs LIV Golf, are still in negotiations about their proposed merger. It's still unclear when that will be finalized, though, as it's been almost two full years now since the surprise announcement. Negotiations don't seem like they're getting anywhere, either. "I think we all would like to see that," Jon Rahm said Tuesday when asked about the golf world coming back together again. "But as far as I can tell and you guys can tell, it's not happening anytime soon." This is the fewest amount of golfers that LIV has had in the Masters since its inception, and more than half of them have lifetime exemptions due to past wins at Augusta National. One golfer, Joaquin Niemann, received a special exemption to earn a spot in the field. There are 20 different ways to earn a spot in the Masters field, starting with winning the event. That earns a lifetime exemption into the tournament, while wins at the other three majors earn entry for the next five years. A win at The Players Championship gives a three-year exemption. If you finish inside the top 12 in the Masters, you are automatically invited back the following year. A top four finish at any of the other major championship also guarantees an invitation. Any PGA Tour win within a calendar year and those who are inside the top 50 in the Official World Golf Rankings are invited, too. LIV Golf still does not earn OWGR points, however, which is making it increasingly difficult for members to earn major spots. While this is a unique moment for the sport with everyone back together again, it's only going to happen three more times this year. "Anytime I get an opportunity to play against everyone, the best players in the world, it's great. I think that's what we're all hoping for at some point is for that to be figured out," Bryson DeChambeau said. "That's beyond me and beyond my scope, unfortunately. "I think at some point if the players get all together, I think we could figure it out. But it's a lot more complicated, obviously, than what we all think. Hopefully one day it'll get figured out and we can make that happen." Here's a look at the 12 LIV Golf members competing for a green jacket this week in Georgia. Jon Rahm is one of seven former Masters winners in the field this week that has since joined LIV Golf. () LIV Golf at the Masters: Former Winners Jon Rahm Best finish: 1 (2023) Status: Lifetime exemption Jon Rahm was perhaps the best golfer to join the LIV circuit, and it's shown at the Masters. He won in 2023, and he's not missed a single cut there. Last season, though, was his worst outing with a T45 run. Patrick Reed Best finish: 1 (2018) Status: Lifetime exemption Patrick Reed won his Masters title before making the jump to LIV Golf, but he's been in contention in just about every year since. He's not finished worse than T35, made every cut and finished T4 in 2023. He's only missed one cut at a major since joining LIV Golf, too. Dustin Johnson Best finish: 1 (2020) Status: Lifetime exemption Dustin Johnson has been on a steady decline since his Masters win, which came at the rescheduled COVID-19 version in 2020. He missed the cut last year, too, and didn't finish better than T31 in any of his major appearances. Phil Mickelson Best finish: 1 (2004, 2006, 2010) Status: Lifetime exemption Phil Mickelson is the only LIV Golf member to have won a green jacket three times, but it's been 15 years since he last pulled that feat off. The 54-year-old, though, has largely struggled at the major championships in recent years. He's missed the cut in eight of his last 12 major starts, including in his last four U.S. Open runs. But his two outliers in the last four years were incredible. He won the PGA Championship in 2021, which was his first major win in nearly a decade, and he finished T2 at the Masters in 2023. While it would take a remarkable week, Mickelson knows how to play well at Augusta National. Bubba Watson Best finish: 1 (2012, 2014) Status: Lifetime exemption Like Mickelson, Bubba Watson is the only other LIV Golf member to have won the Masters multiple times. But his last win was more than a decade ago, he's missed the cut in each of the last two years and he hasn't finished better than T39 since making the jump to LIV Golf. The Masters has been the only major he's played in since the 2022 campaign, too. Sergio Garcia Best finish: 1 (2017) Status: Lifetime exemption Sergio Garcia finally grabbed his first major championship win with his playoff victory at Augusta National in 2017. He's struggled to keep his eligibility in the other three events since then, however, and he's missed the cut at the Masters in five of his last six starts. Charl Schwartzel Best finish: 1 (2011) Status: Lifetime exemption The Masters is one of just two PGA Tour wins that Charl Schwartzel has to his name, though it came nearly 15 years ago. He's missed the cut in three of his last six starts at Augusta, though there's a T10 finish in there. Bryson DeChambeau is one of just 12 LIV Golf members in the field this week. () LIV Golf at the Masters: Other entries Bryson DeChambeau Best finish: T6 (2024) Status: Through 2029 (U.S. Open win, 2024) Bryson DeChambeau is seemingly in the best position to win a major this season among the LIV Golf group. He won the U.S. Open last year, finished second at the PGA Championship and went T6 at Augusta National, which was his best Masters finish on record. It came after back-to-back missed cuts in the event, however, so we'll quickly see if last year's performance was just an outlier. Brooks Koepka Best finish: T2 (2019, 2023) Status: Through 2028 (PGA Championship win, 2023) After a dominant majors run before LIV Golf, Brooks Koepka has largely slowed down. He didn't finish inside the top 20 in any of them last season, but he went T2 at the Masters in 2023 and won the PGA Championship a month later. It was his second runner-up finish at the Masters in the last five years. Tyrrell Hatton Best finish: T9 (2024) Status: Through 2025 (T9 finish at the Masters, 2024) Tyrrell Hatton has missed the cut just once in his last 12 major starts, and he's coming off the best Masters finish in his career last season. He has nine international wins in his career, one of which was on the PGA Tour, and he won last year on LIV Golf in Nashville shortly after joining. Joaquin Niemann Best finish: T16 (2023) Status: Through 2025 (Special Exemption) Joaquin Niemann has just two PGA Tour wins in his career, and he's only in this week on a special exemption. He did win twice on LIV Golf last year and he won the PIF Saudi International in December, however, so he's still playing great golf despite his lack of points or standing. He finished T22 last year at the Masters. Mickelson recently insinuated that Niemann is the No. 1 player in the world, too. Cameron Smith Best finish: T2 (2020) Status: Through 2027 (British Open win, 2022) Cameron Smith has been great at the Masters, even though he's yet to win a green jacket. He has four top-10 finishes in his last six starts, including a runner-up finish in 2021 and a T6 finish last year. Though he has just one major win in his career, he feels due to finally break through soon.
