Tiger On LIV Defectors: "They've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position"

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Strong words from Tiger Woods ahead of The Open. On players who have left for the LIV Golf circuit:

I think that what they've done is they've turned their back on what has allowed them to get to this position.

Some players have never got a chance to even experience it. They've gone right from the amateur ranks right into that organisation and never really got a chance to play out here and what it feels like to play a TOUR schedule or to play in some big events.

And who knows what's going to happen in the near future with world-ranking points, the criteria for entering major championships. The governing body is going to have to figure that out.

Some of these players may not ever get a chance to play in major championships. That is a possibility. We don't know that for sure yet. It's up to all the major championship bodies to make that determination. But that is a possibility, that some players will never, ever get a chance to play in a major championship, never get a chance to experience this right here, walk down the fairways at Augusta National.

That, to me, I just don't understand it. I understand what Jack and Arnold did because playing professional golf at a TOUR level versus a club pro is different, and I understand that transition and that move and the recognition that a touring pro versus a club pro is.

But what these players are doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practise? What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt? You're just getting paid a lot of money up front and playing a few events and playing 54 holes. They're playing blaring music and have all these atmospheres that are different.

I just don't see how, out of 54 holes -- I can understand 54 holes is almost like a mandate when you get to the Senior Tour. The guys are little bit older and a little more banged up. But when you're at this young age and some of these kids -- they really are kids who have gone from amateur golf into that organisation -- 72-hole tests are part of it. We used to have 36-hole playoffs for major championships. That's how it used to be -- 18-hole U.S. Open playoffs.

I just don't see how that move is positive in the long term for a lot of these players, especially if the LIV organisation doesn't get world-ranking points and the major championships change their criteria for entering the events.

It would be sad to see some of these young kids never get a chance to experience it and experience what we've got a chance to experience and walk these hallowed grounds and play in these championships.

SOG 122: Enough LIV, Time To Talk the Old Course

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Rainbow at the 2015 Open (Geoff Shackelford)

It won't go away but LIV Golf and all its implications can take a back seat for the next two weeks as golf hopefully celebrates everything good about the game with an Open Championship at the Old Course.

Come along as Rod Morri, Mike Clayton and yours truly talk all things St Andrews.

Here is the Apple podcast option.

The State of the Game page where you can get links to your favorite podcast players.

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The Strategic Alliance Presents: The Genesis Scottish Open

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The sun is out, the wind blowing and the fescue more brown than green at Renaissance Club. If the Tom Doak design can’t shine in this—and of course after Padraig Harrington’s design tweak advice—there may not be much hope for the East Lothian links. From what I’ve seen of the 10th hole, I’m hoping it plays less ghastly than it looks.

But with Genesis injecting new life into the grounds, the PGA Tour/DP World Tour Strategic Alliance (PGATDPWSA) bringing the two tours together for a world class field, it should be a dandy.

Tee times for a field with 14 of the top 15 golfers in the Official World Golf Ranking.

In the UK, Sky times go all day essentially and with 160 players this one will take most of the day.

Thursday: Sky Sport Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8am
Friday: Sky Sport Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8am
Saturday: Sky Sports Golf from 8.30am
Sunday: Sky Sport Golf and Sky Sports Main Event from 8.30am

Golf Channel times (all ET):

Thursday-Friday, 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. ET (Golf Channel – World Feed), 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (Golf Channel). Saturday-Sunday, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. (Golf Channel), 12 p.m.-3 p.m. (CBS)

Horschel On LIV "Hypocrites" Who Want To Play Less But More When It's Convenient: "I believe they made their bed"

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David Kent shares Billy Horschel’s stunning-even-by-Billy-Ho-standards lashing out at “hypocrites” who are petitioning to play this week’s Genesis Scottish Open while also defecting to LIV golf events in the name of reduced scheduling.

After a hearing this week, Ian Poulter, Adrian Otaegui and Justin Harding had DP World bans lifted and they were added to the field at Renaissance Club, followed by LIV Portland winner Branden Grace.

“They decided to go play on that tour and they should go play there. They shouldn’t be coming back over to the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour.

‘“To say that they wanted to also support this tour, whether the DP or PGA Tour, while playing the LIV tour, is completely asinine. Those guys made their bed. They say that’s what they want to do, so leave us alone.

“They keep talking about how the PGA Tour doesn’t listen. I’ve been really frustrated by it because there’s a lot of guys that are hypocrites, that aren’t telling the truth and are lying.

“I just can’t stand to sit here any more and be diplomatic about it.”

Meanwhile sponsors seem to be quietly leaving the Poulter camp as his logo tally has been greatly reduced:

R&A Warns: Don't Take ScotRail To The 150th Open

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On the 150th Open’s eve, the R&A is asking fans who planned to attend by rail to find other means of getting to St Andrews. This is a result of its on-going dispute between ScotRail and train drivers.

Last month Willie Rennie warned of the need for a contingency plan in this scenario.

Here is what the R&A sent to ticketholders:

Dear Ticketholder,

We are contacting you to provide an important update and guidance regarding travel to and from The 150th Open at St Andrews on 10-17 July.

Based on information we received at the start of this week and in order to minimise disruption for fans, unfortunately we have to advise all ticket holders that they should not travel by rail using ScotRail services to and from Leuchars when attending The Open each day.

All ticket holders should travel by road or use alternative public transport.

This is due to circumstances not in our control in which ScotRail will continue to operate a reduced timetable on the dates of the Championship as a result of its on-going dispute with ASLEF members (train drivers).

We cannot guarantee that fans using rail services will be able to get to and from Leuchars without disruption. There is a risk that fans who travel by train may find there are no services to get them home.

If you have purchased GolfLink tickets, you should contact ScotRail for a refund.

We are increasing capacity at our Park and Ride facilities to cater for more vehicles using the road network. We strongly recommend that fans purchase Park and Ride tickets in advance to minimise waiting times and to take advantage of a £5 discount.

If you are travelling by road for The Open, you should expect longer journey times and delays due to increased traffic and plan ahead for these.

All drivers should follow the directional AA road signage in place on designated routes for accessing the Park and Ride facilities and not use satnav or equivalent devices. Designated routes are being prioritised by Police Scotland and other traffic management measures to ensure everyone has the smoothest journey possible.

Alternative public transport, including buses and taxis, is available for fans to use. Local bus services are complemented by an express network that connects St Andrews with Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Cupar and Glenrothes. More information on bus services can be found via Stagecoach and Moffat and Williamson.

A designated taxi rank and private hire drop off/pick-up area will be in operation and is located at Petheram Bridge within walking distance of the course.

We appreciate that some fans will be disappointed with this update and that the resulting situation, not of our making, is less than ideal, but we wish to reassure you that we are doing all that we can to ensure your experience of attending The Open is a memorable one.

Please visit TheOpen.com for more information.

Kind Regards,

The R&A Ticket Office