Names like Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau are being linked to a new golf organization with back from Saudi Arabia. Will it happen – and is it good for golf?
Bryson DeChambeau is (apparently) being offered $135-million to join a new professional golf tour with backing from Saudi Arabia. At the same time, Phil Mickelson is complaining about the PGA Tour’s control over his media rights. Rory McIlroy says the whole thing is a bad idea. Golf legend Greg Norman is already at the helm of the Super League concept, and Dustin Johnson says, “Pretty much every player in the top 100,” has been approached.
Who to believe and what’s next in one of professional golf’s most compelling sagas?
Recently it was announced that Ian Poulter, an aging, but highly recognizable star, was offered $30-million to join Super League. That news came at the same time many of golf’s biggest stars were in Saudi Arabia playing in the Saudi International. Many of the PGA Tour’s biggest stars had to ask for exemptions from the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am to be allowed to play in Saudi Arabia.
Rumours of financial offers for the Super League concept have swirled in recent months. In May, it was reported that Johnson and Justin Rose were offered between $30 and $50-million to join the league. The league is reported to be set up around teams of golfers led by a captain who would play a season-long schedule.
Johnson wouldn’t say whether he’s had discussions with Super League, but later added his financial offer was much larger than that offered to Poulter.
DeChambeau, who withdrew from the Saudi tournament with an injury after a lackluster opening round, said on social media the rumoured offer was not correct. “Wrong,” DeChambeau said on Instagram in response to discussion of the massive offer.
In the meantime, Mickelson ranted about the PGA Tour’s control over the players, saying the tour’s “obnoxious greed” has him considering his options. Mickelson, now 51 and splitting time between starts on PGA Tour Champions and the PGA Tour, remains one of golf’s most visible stars. A move to Super League would certainly give the concept significant credibility.
In the meantime, speculation is the PGA Tour would ban for life any player joining Super League.
McIlroy is one of the most vocal opponents of the Super League concept—and says the PGA Tour has the right to be aggressive with players who defect.
“You have to protect what you have,” McIlroy said. “It’s a competitive threat. And [PGA Tour Commissioner] Jay Monahan took us through it last night. It’s in the bylaws that were written by the members.”
What do you think?
Is the Super League a potentially new and interesting way to present professional golf? Or is the PGA Tour good just as it is, and the game’s stars should stay put?
We have an etiquette-driven PGA format that comes from the love of our professionals like Arnie, Jack, and Tiger who built the popularity of our game with fan interaction and just great golf. This league has no character just deep pockets. It will entice a few older players that are running out of their A-game. I guess we will see if PGA has the management skills to protect our great game
Greed has no bounds.
Over all; happy with PGA EXCEPT THE CONSTANTLY LOOKING AT Tiger even when he is not in the running.
I would much rather follow the rising stars.
I say let them go! I am tired of watching these millionaires
play anyway. Their greed is tough to take.
It’s time for new talent to emerge on the PGA tour,
let’s give them a chance!
You still have your passion for golf!
I hope life is good.
It appears like the Super League is based on a team format. I am, in principle, against the concept of an elitist league consisting of the top already “obscenely” (to borrow a word from Mickelson) rich (and greedy) players. But perhaps the PGA can look at starting a team competition of its own with catchy names for individual teams. The play format can be based on the Ryder cup.
Seriously, how much money does one person need? Why in today’s world is no one ever satisfied? If the Saudis want to be involved in golf they have enough money to start from the beginning. They can set up free schools around the world where young people can learn the game, it doesn’t have to be centered in their country.
The top guys don’t seem to realise that they are paid appearance money! Yes, they have earned it by being good at their craft, but when a company pays a bunch of money to stick their logo on a golfers shirt, hat, bag, whatever, that’s appearance money!!!! If they stop showing up then their sponsors will stop giving them money!!
Also, I think some players forget that history will view them as turncoats. Why spend all your life creating a wonderful reputation, that regular people admire, to become a ” club for hire to the largest bidder?”
This summer, 2022, The Open will hold its 150th Anniversary in St. Andrews, what other sport can compete with that history, still be growing and be the envy of other sports around the world. Despite everything that has happened in the world, since Tom Morris and his son started playing golf, and continues today with Covid, people really miss golf when they can’t get out.
Football is great, soccer is great, baseball is great, hockey is great, but you cant play any of these sports when you are over 50, golf you play till you can’t walk, then you get a cart and continue playing.
Don’t give away what has taken centuries to build, if you’re not satisfied sit down and discuss. Think of the rules you play with friends at weekends, it’s not the same money but it’s the same principle. Be honorable, not forgettable!!
Does signing with super league mean that you will be their puppet.
Mickelson should stop his whining, take all his money and play in the Seniors only. If he still complains, kick him out.
Their association should start spreading the pot by having the lowest paid who qualified a minimum of $75,000 and not increasing the top end. Recent comments by Pat Perez were legitimate ( for once).
If the “better players “ want to move to the Emirates, say goodbye but don’t let them back in. Make them sign a release.
This absolutely pure greed by the players at the top of the heap. These players earn substantial amounts for playing a game, granted there are some pressures to perform, but isn’t that what competition is all about. With these guaranteed signing bonuses, what incentive will spur them on. Maybe in the 1st year there might be some competition, but after that, it will be “what else is in it for me”. Rory is right, banish the traitors.
I agree with banishing the golfers that join this Super League.
That seems like a fair consequence for those that choose to jump ship in order to capitalize on the financial offering. I think the players would really have to think about their careers before taking the plunge.
I wonder if there would be any sponsorship ramifications for any player that leaves the PGA?
I think it is a cop out for players who are rich beyond there wildest dreams! only to go to a country dripping in money to buy them off, so they would come to their league to play!!
Where is your pride now, in your own league or in MORE MONEY!!!! I will never watch that league !!
What is nice is that pro golfers they are not controlled by owners who can tell them when or where to play, this will open golf and take away controlling aspect of the game, PGA don’t pissoff the people you need sit down and listen
Let those has-been and overages go! There are many great younger and coming up players to watch in the current system. The American and European Tours will still flourish.
This sounds similar to a new hockey league (WHA) emerging in 1972 and enticing one of the NHL’s elite players, Bobby Hull by paying him $1M to join. Other players followed and this new professional hockey league which was to compete against the NHL folded in 1979. So if the greedy, money hungry PGA players want to move to another golf league and it folds unfortunately they will never be allowed to play in the most prestigious golf tournaments on the planet… The Masters, The U.S. Open, The Open and PGA Championship. Too bad! Banned for life!
The PGA has been around for a long time and has stood the test of time and provided top entertainment for golf fans. The comment about the PGA being greedy lol some players should take a look at themselves in the mirror! and appreciate what the PGA has given them. Personally I don’t think the Super League is a good idea and could ruin what we currently have. Many concerns over politics, ethics will it stand the test of time like the PGA? Saudi has oil money now but what happens when new alternative options for energy emerge like hydrogen.
I certainly hope that MOST of the top echelon of players on the PGA tour remember just how good they have it, and what the Tour has provided for them. Playing a GAME for a living, on some of the finest tracks and being handsomely rewarded. Don’t get greedy!
The likes of Hogan, Nelson,
Snead, Palmer are looking down️♂️⛳
I like the concept of expansion for professional golfers. This will fast track the rise of ‘new blood’ to the SHOW. No group or business should have a monopoly. I enjoy watching the skill that professional golfers display In their game. Please don’t stunt competition. Cheers