Englishman Lee Westwood is fed up with the present schism surrounding skilled golf, because the PGA Tour tries to strike a deal with LIV Golf’s beneficiary, the Saudi Public Funding Fund (PIF).
Westwood needs the most effective gamers to play side-by-side in each event, not simply within the majors.
“It doesn’t matter what the extent of golf is, I believe if the most effective gamers at each degree don’t come collectively and play, there’s just one loser, and that’s the followers watching,” Westwood stated Tuesday forward of his U.S. Senior Open debut.
“We have to one way or the other determine a method to get the most effective gamers taking part in towards one another extra usually.”
One consequence of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf divide is that the 4 majors have change into much more distinguished. In contrast to common tour occasions, LIV Golf gamers can tee it up at The Masters, the PGA Championship, the U.S. Open, and The Open Championship. Meaning followers get to see the highest gamers compete side-by-side solely 4 occasions per 12 months.
LIV has additionally seen success in current majors, as 4 of the final eight main champions presently play on the Saudi-backed circuit. Look no additional than Bryson DeChambeau, who received the latest main at Pinehurst No. 2.
“If you take a look at the U.S. Open two weeks in the past or the Masters or the PGA Championship, persons are blissful to see Bryson [DeChambeau] or Cam [Smith] or Jon Rahm coming and taking part in in these huge occasions,” Westwood stated.
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“It’s principally getting all the most effective gamers collectively in a single event to compete towards one another, and that’s what you need on the highest degree. You need all the most effective gamers there.”
This week’s Senior U.S. Open options two LIV Golf gamers: Richard Bland, who received final month’s Senior PGA Championship, and Westwood.
Westwood earned a spot on this week’s U.S. Senior Open as a result of he has performed on a current Ryder Cup workforce. He represented Group Europe at Whistling Straits in 2021, incomes a single level. The Individuals trounced the Europeans that 12 months, 19-to-9.
Lower than one 12 months later, Westwood joined LIV Golf, the place he has not had a lot success. But, Westwood will tee it up with loads of confidence at Newport Nation Membership this week, because of his current efficiency at LIV Golf Nashville, the place he tied for third—the most effective results of his LIV Golf profession.
“I began to swing nicely, and my entire recreation was coming collectively after I performed at LIV Houston three weeks in the past. Then I went house and did a bit bit of labor on it. I most likely haven’t been working as laborious on my recreation as I’d have appreciated to, however I put in a bit extra work within the week off,” Westwood defined.
“Putted nicely final week. I sharpened my quick recreation up as a result of I’ve been taking part in extra, and my recreation is in a very good place. Performed nicely on the ultimate day, which was good. I haven’t been ending tournaments off, so having enjoyable for the final 4 holes, and ending that event off strongly has given me numerous confidence going into this week.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Enjoying By. You should definitely take a look at @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You’ll be able to comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
