Monahan Reiterates Ban Pledge, Shark Bites Back While Citing Former FTC Counsel Who Really, Really Wants The Saudi League To Succeed

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You could admire PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan’s decision to lay low the last few weeks as the disruptive LIV Golf Investments purported league crumbled under the weight of Phil Mickelson’s comments and direct ties to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. But in leaving Rory McIlroy’s of the world to front the opposition, Monahan left those who took a moral or history-based stand to be the spokespersons for the PGA Tour.

Q-rating enhancing, all of this money talk is not.

Maybe good for Meltwaters? I don’t know.

Either way, Monahan finally dropped the hammer as the Saudi ship was seen sinking off the coast of Jupiter, reiterating in a phone interview to AP’s Doug Ferguson that he has “zero complacency” when it comes to the threat of a Saudi league.

“I told the players we’re moving on and anyone on the fence needs to make a decision,” Monahan said Wednesday in a telephone interview.

He also emphasized anew that players who sign up for a Saudi golf league will lose their PGA Tour membership and should not expect to get it back.

Why the ban was brought back up as the whole thing crumbles, is surprising and suggests there are still concerns the LIV Golf effort has legs. Because it seems like Monahan could have just belittled what appears to be left of a league down to some Kokrak’s, Poulter’s, Stenson’s, Westwood’s and Mickelson’s.

Meanwhile, the Shark one is fighting back in a last ditch letter after this “ban” opening and it’s multi-layered. And a two-pager:

Page one of Greg norman’s letter includes a hyperlink to a commentary by Alden abbott

Here is the “recent article” Norman happened to stumble on, posted February 21st, two days before the Monahan interview cited above.

The author, Alden Abbott, was General Counsel of the Federal Trade Commission during the final two years of the Trump Administration. He’s a member of the Federalist Society and former staff member of the Heritage Foundation, and was also a longtime professor at the Antonin Scalia School of Law at George Mason University.

The Abbott article cited by Norman was promoted in a press release from the website Inside Sources, where the “About” page says:

Academic research has found political pundits are worse at predicting the future than if they were randomly guessing. The media elite’s echo chamber thinks half-truths, bad predictions, and “conventional wisdom” qualify as news. Good thing we don’t.

A few weeks back on February 3rd, Mr. Abbott wrote another piece for RealClearMarkets.com promoting the Norman effort to disrupt professional golf while making some curious leaps.

He writes:

The threat over the putt is precisely what the PGA Tour is applying to players considering playing in any new golf leagues, especially the rumored new league Norman is linked with. The Tour is trying to maintain its monopoly by telling players it will destroy their livelihoods, ban them from tournaments, and restrict their media rights. That’s not competition on the merits.

Ban? Yes, as Monahan just reiterated. But I’ve followed this story closely and am not aware of any player suggesting the PGA Tour has told players “it will destroy their livelihoods” or “restrict their media rights.” If you’re banned, then you have moved on to a new Tour paying you lavish advance sums, theoretically. And presumably that tour or league is no longer under the PGA Tour’s control, restoring a player’s media rights.

Playing for a new tour would also impact the anti-competition narrative since the PGA Tour does not control major championships, the Asian Tour or the DP World Tour. But I’m not a lawyer.

Abbott also wrote in the February 3rd piece:

If Norman’s rumored new league – or any other competitive structure — is able to launch, fans and players will benefit. The American Football League’s entry in the 1960s—just a few years after antitrust litigation forced the NFL to stop the player threats that had forestalled earlier competitors—spurred a generation of innovation that led to the modernization of football for the benefit of players and fans alike. Golf desperately needs the same revival, and competition can provide it. 

While the points about competition and innovation are legitimate, it’s also fascinating to see the “Golf desperately needs” line in Abbott’s piece. Similar sentiments were echoed in a recent apology statement we all read. And like Phil Mickelson, Abbott’s claims mostly revolve around player compensation and rights. What that has to do with fans is beyond me.

A strong case is building that all of this money talk from both sides without much discussion around improving the sport, is actually hurting the sport.

I reached out to LIV Golf Investments to ascertain whether Mr. Abbott has any kind of consulting or financial relationship with the operation. From their spokesperson:

“Mr. Abbott is the former General Counsel of the Federal Trade Commission. He is not an agent of LIV Golf and has no commercial relationship, nor has he received any compensation of any kind.”

The PGA Tour declined to comment.

Ratings: 2022 Genesis No Match For Daytona 500

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Showbuzzdaily has Sunday’s numbers and it appears the combo platter of Joaquin Niemann’s healthy final round lead and the Daytona 500 led to disappointing Nielsen ratings.

The 2022 Genesis Invitational featuring all ten of the world top ten drew a final round 1.57/2.6 million average viewership on CBS, down significantly from 2021’s 2.24/3.6 million average when Max Homa beat Tony Finau in a playoff in front of no crowd due to COVID restrictions.

The ‘21 Genesis was competing against a Daytona road race. This year though, the 500 syphoned a lot of casual sports fans despite the return of crowds and some stunning visuals from Riviera. The Daytona 500 was Sunday’s most-watched television program of the entire day, drawing an 8.8 million viewer average and 4.4 rating.

Saturday’s Genesis numbers were well up thanks to 2021’s wind-delay.

Sunday lead-in coverage on Golf Channel also saw a huge decline, drawing a .48/745k average in 2022. That’s down from a .74/1.2 million average in 2021.

The 2021 numbers for comparison:

Meanwhile the previous week’s WM Open told a better story, with Paulsen at SportsMediaWatch calling the ratings “down a tick” from 2021:

Final round coverage of the PGA Tour Phoenix Open, which ran long and concluded after the Super Bowl had begun, averaged a 2.0 rating and 3.59 million viewers on CBS last Sunday — down a tick in ratings from last year (2.1, 3.69M) but up 16% from two years ago (1.75, 2.87M).

Third round action the previous day drew a 1.5 and 2.43 million, flat in ratings compared to last year (1.5, 2.24M)

Quadrilateral: Major(s) News & Notes, February 24, 2022

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Player moves and Zach gets the Ryder Cup nod lead off this edition.

Plus, distance talk, the fairway landing area on Augusta National's 11th, Oakland Hills update, women's major notes, Rory's Masters approach and Reads. Never have I been more thrilled to deliver some old school notes and observations.

As always, Thursdays are guaranteed free for all Quad subscribers and looky-loos.

Subscribe here if you haven’t already.

AP: Zach Johnson To Get The 2023 Ryder Cup Captaincy

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A two-time Vice Buggy Driver and quiet member of the Task Force has patiently waited his turn. And now Doug Ferguson reports that Zach Johnson will lead Team USA in the 2023 edition set for Marco Simone Golf Club outside Rome.

Kyle Porter pointed out this neat fact should Johnson lead the team to victory.

Johnson would join Jack Nicklaus, Sam Snead and Seve Ballesteros as the only golfers to win a Masters at Augusta National, an Open at St. Andrews and captain a winning Ryder Cup team if the U.S. goes on to win in 2023.

This reminds me of two things: how great it would be to have a Ryder Cup at the Old Course, and the Captain’s race for 2025 is wide open now.

Cantlay: "The biggest problem for me is when we lose the architectural integrity of the golf course...Something has to give.”

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In conversation with Goldman Sachs CEO David Solomon, Patrick Cantlay became the rare under-30 golfer to have given the topic of distance its impact on courses any thought.

But he did better than that. Golfweek’s Adam Schupak reported on the comments and transcribed.

“That’s the hardest part of it. The knee-jerk reaction is don’t do anything. They may mess up the implementation, so it won’t be worth it,” he said.

“Theoretically, the golf ball needs to go shorter,” he continued, “Every golf course I go to has different tee boxes farther back than even 4-5 years ago when I visited the golf course. It’s getting to the point where the tee boxes are already to the perimeter of the property, so much so that Augusta National has been buying up all the adjacent pieces of property so they can put more tee boxes and change the holes.

“That’s not sustainable. Not only that if pace of play is one of your biggest concerns, how many golf course do I go to on Tour where the tees are 100 yards back? They can’t keep going in this direction.

Cantlay added: “The technology isn’t only better but young guys are trying to hit it farther and farther because the stats say the farther I hit it, the better I’ll play. Something has to give.

“I think the biggest shame is that I can’t go to Cypress Point and play the course the way the designer designed the golf course to be played. The biggest problem for me is when we lose the architectural integrity of the golf course. We’re to the point where that’s where we are. Something has to give.”

The full conversation:

Mickelson Apologizes And Manages To Make Things Worse

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Mickelson: "I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be."

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Issued on Tuesday of Honda Classic week days after a book excerpt revealed deep disgust with the PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson has apologized.

In the statement released by his agent and on Twitter, Mickelson says his interview with Alan Shipnuck for a forthcoming book was off the record, though in a Fire Pit Collective podcast, Shipnuck described how the interview proceeded and never was the status of the call discussed.

There are also inferences that his corporate partnerships may be in jeopardy. I have reached out to Workday, KPMG and Callaway and have not received a reply to multiple requests for comment.

Phil Mickelson Statement: 

Although it doesn't look this way now given my recent comments, my actions throughout this process have always been with the best interest of golf, my peers, sponsors, and fans. There is the problem of off record comments being shared out of context and without my consent, but the bigger issue is that I used words I sincerely regret that do not reflect my true feelings or intentions. It was reckless, I offended people, and I am deeply sorry for my choice of words. I’m beyond disappointed and will make every effort to self-reflect and learn from this.    

Golf desperately needs change, and real change is always preceded by disruption. I have always known that criticism would come with exploring anything new. I still chose to put myself at the forefront of this to inspire change, taking the hits publicly to do the work behind the scenes.   

My experience with LIV Golf Investments has been very positive. I apologize for anything I said that was taken out of context. The specific people I have worked with are visionaries and have only been supportive. More importantly they passionately love golf and share my drive to make the game better. They have a clear plan to create an updated and positive experience for everyone including players, sponsors, networks, and fans.     

I have incredible partners, and these relationships mean so much more to me than a contract. Many have been my most influential mentors and I consider all to be lifelong friends. The last thing I would ever want to do is compromise them or their business in any way, and I have given all of them the option to pause or end the relationship as I understand it might be necessary given the current circumstances.  I believe in these people and companies and will always be here for them with or without a contract.   

I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and many have been shared with the public. My intent was never to hurt anyone and I’m so sorry to the people I have negatively impacted.  This has always been about supporting the players and the game and I appreciate all the people who have given me the benefit of the doubt.    

Despite my belief that some changes have already been made within the overall discourse, I know I need to be accountable.  For the past 31 years I have lived a very public life and I have strived to live up to my own expectations, be the role model the fans deserve, and be someone that inspires others. I’ve worked to compete at the highest level, be available to media, represent my sponsors with integrity, engage with volunteers and sign every autograph for my incredible fans. I have experienced many successful and rewarding moments that I will always cherish, but I have often failed myself and others too.  The past 10 years I have felt the pressure and stress slowly affecting me at a deeper level.  I know I have not been my best and desperately need some time away to prioritize the ones I love most and work on being the man I want to be. 

Quadrilateral: Great PGA Tour, Don't Get Cocky

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Will the PGA Tour let the Saudi victory go to their heads and negatively impact the future?

That’s the question I ask in light of history and upcoming issues that players could influence.

A big portion is built around last week’s events and news broken late Sunday of a previous hostile merger big.

4 Of 6 Who Lay Back At Riviera's 10th Make A Birdie!

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Since PGA Tour players have been known to engage in herd-like behavior when it comes to their dress or lingo or golf holes, but they might want to consider some numbers from the 2022 Genesis Invitational.

A (not) whopping six times, a player placed a shot in the landing area, short of the directional bunker, and in the fairway. Four times the player walked off with a birdie 3.

The culprits behind this exciting and cutting edge trend to play from the fairway:

  • Round 3: Aaron Rai with a 71-yard approach

  • Round 2: Alex Noren with an 89-yard approach

  • Round 1: Justin Thomas with a 62-yard approach

  • Round 1: Rai with a 76-yard approach

Rai played the hole 2-under par laying up all four days, missing the fairway left in Sunday’s final round.

The 10th featured a 3.870 scoring average, with 5 eagles and 103 birdies, 9 double bogeys, 0 others and a lot of blue pars from the places where the analytics supposedly tell players where they should go.

Granted the entire situation is a mess due to poor equipment regulation, crazy green speeds and a few weird changes over the years so at this point it’s hard to fault any approach.

Storm Franklin Hits Irish Course With Rush Of Water, Portrush Loses Some Dune

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Portsalon Golf in Donegal, Ireland after Storm Franklin came through.

And the dune below Royal Portrush suffered erosion as well.

The Quadrilateral: Niemann's Wire-To-Wire Genesis Win And Other Notes

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Joaquin Niemann, final round 2022 Genesis Invitational

Wire-to-wire wins are impressive at any level in golf. But on the PGA Tour? With all of the world top ten in attendance? On a storied course where the winner had no significant success in three previous appearances? When he’s the second youngest to win a tournament dating to 1926?

We saw some might impressive golf from Joaquin Niemann in a statement win capable of taking him to special places. Oh, and the young man is just so darned classy, too.

Down boy, down!

My 2022 Genesis Invitational round-up is available for all to read here and includes notes ranging from Niemann to Morikawa’s nearly historic comeback, to Kuchar’s love of that silky smooth Brew Ha Ha cold brew at Riviera.

Of course, Quad subscribers already had this one in their inboxes and you can too for the low, low price of nothing. Those in the paid category do get commenting privileges and extra posts on other fun major-adjacent things as the year progresses.

You can read more here about how the whole newsletter thing works here.

R.I.P. The Saudi Golf League

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The Saudi Golf League, a short-lived effort to reinvent the model of professional golf backed by a murderous dictator via the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, has died. It was barely six months old.

The league passed away after legendary golfer Phil Mickelson gave two interviews revealing an almost incomprehensible level of greed, rage, hypocrisy and avarice aimed at the same PGA Tour that helped him amass millions. Authorities speaking on the condition of anonymity have identified Mickelson as a “person of interest” in the league’s demise. Law enforcement has been unable to locate him at his California or forever-future Florida residences.

Authorities say golfers Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau played a role in the league’s demise by issuing statements Sunday suggesting they would remain on the PGA Tour. They are not expected to face charges as accessories to the League’s passing.

When he resurfaces, Mickelson may need protective custody due to future safety concerns regardless of whether charges are filed.

Besides Crown Prince of Mohammed bin Salman, whose Fund is now saddled with $300 million in obligations to the Asian Tour over the next decade, Mickelson’s role could cost multiple players to potentially miss out on millions of dollars in advance checks. Nineteen sources with knowledge of his thinking who are unwilling to experience a public beheading, suggest retired golfer, mass market vintner and Macy’s clothier Greg Norman is also expected to want a piece of Mickelson.

The Saudi effort to sportwash was lifted from a concept originally envisioned by the World Golf Group-turned-Premier Golf League and faced growing prospects for success after several noted veteran stars became smitten with a limited event schedule and massive advance checks. A partnership with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, an investor in multiple American corporations and supported by former President Donald Trump, proved to be a morally bankrupt concept in the eyes of Rory McIlroy and a handful of other players. Many others entertained the concept.

Not until Mickelson opened his big mouth while playing the recent Saudi International did others realize the depth of narcissism or greed involved. Nor did many seem to understand the gravity of partnering with the Kingdom’s investment fund. Mickelson even shrugged off the Kingdom’s history of murder, bigotry and murderous bigotry in the name of leverage, issues that became apparent when a second interview from last November with writer Alan Shipnuck revealed new levels of delusional thinking by the current PGA Champion. In the interview, Mickelson intimated the entire effort was a leverage play to profit off digital rights and to avenge Commissioner Jay Monahan’s negotiating tactics.

Since then, a series of players who were long silent about the league have announced their intention to remain on the PGA Tour. Johnson and DeChambeau delivered the final blows Sunday as league founder Norman remained silent.

The League is survived by LIV Golf Investments, bin Salman, Norman and the Public Investment Fund. Due to COVID and fears of more beheadings, services will be very, very private.

Dustin Johnson Latest To Announce Allegiance To The PGA Tour, What Does Greg Norman Do Now?

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In a statement issued through the PGA Tour—the PR equivalent of saying I’m sorry I flirted with the enemy—Dustin Johnson has pledged his allegiance to Ponte Vedra:

Meanwhile this all turns the focus back to Greg Norman and friends who have been very quiet as Phil Mickelson implodes their effort and players on board jump ship. His old nemesis at the Sydney Morning Herald Peter FitzSimons has some advice:

What should you do?

Well, anyone with a conscience would resign. But with you I guess that is beside the point here. Your best plan is probably to do what you have been doing, and do better than anyone – hold your nose and go after more money. The damage to your own “brand” gets worse every week on this one, and will take an even more colossal hit on Mickelson’s truth-telling. Hit the Saudis now, Greg. “Gimme more money, or I will tell the world that Mickelson is right!”

It just might work.

Anything to help Greg pay the electric bill!

WaPo: Trump Involved In Bringing Saudi Golf League Events To His Properties

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The golf audience already knows of a likely Trump/Saudi Golf League partnership if they’ve listened to No Laying Up’s podcasts or assumed the worst combination of character possible.

Still, to see the Washington Post’s Josh Dawsey and Jonathan O’Connell report on a possible partnership and the ensuing reporting as a national story will do wonders for all involved. And this detail suggests the former President has been active in the recruiting process.

Officials from LIV Golf Investments, the apparatus funded by the Saudis to host the tour, have held conversations with the Trump Organization, these people said.

One of the people familiar with the matter said Trump had spoken to Greg Norman, the head of LIV Golf Investments, about having his properties involved in the tour.

It really is a match made in Heaven or wherever all of these game growers will land some day.