The Friday Cut: Merger, Rory, Rose, McKibbin and Canada’s bad luck
Rory McIlroy puts some body language on his tee shot during the first round. PGA action returns to Canada at the Oakdale GC in Toronto on Thursday. (Photo by R.J. Johnston/Toronto Star via Getty Images).
Welcome to ‘The Friday Cut’, your weekly round-up of the top stories across the professional tours.
In a week dominated by the shock announcement of a seismic new partnership between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) that bankrolls the LIV Golf Tour, you would be mistaken to think that nothing else of merit happened in the world of golf. Fear not, as the ‘The Friday Cut’ is here to restore balance, and as we look towards the weekend on the PGA, LPGA and DP World Tour, these are the headlines that have made the cut.
PGA Tour and DP World Tour join forces with Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)
I cannot remember the last time I received news that left me speechless, but Tuesday afternoon was certainly one of those times. Just in case you have been living off the grid for the last week, or you decided to have an ill-timed digital detox, I will attempt to summarise what is perhaps the biggest golf news story in recent memory, in just a few sentences.
The PGA Tour and DP World Tour shocked the golf-o-sphere by announcing a new strategic partnership with the Saudi PIF that funds long-standing bitter rivals LIV Golf. To put this in football terms, this would be like a successful, prestigious club like Arsenal teaming up with their less successful, sometimes unbearable rivals Tottenham Hotspur and agreeing to move forwards as one dysfunctional entity.
Anyway, personal opinion aside, the news sent shockwaves across the sport. Many of the PGA Tour players were unaware the deal had been agreed, finding out on social media and through various news outlets, leading to some interesting reactions. With many details of the agreement being released slowly in the days that followed, the only thing that appears clear is that the game of golf appears as divided as ever - despite this latest ‘attempt’ at creating unity.
DP World Tour appear to block the path to Ryder Cup return for exiled stars
Since the news broke on Tuesday, we have all been wondering what implications this will have in the short, medium and long-term for players and fans. While many of the initial details of the agreement appear to point towards a fresh start for the 2024 season, where players can re-apply for membership and regain their playing rights, the DP World Tour were quick to slam the door on rumours of a Ryder Cup return for the banned LIV Golf defectors.
In a letter from DP World Tour CEO, Keith Pelley, players were informed that the nine DP World Tour members that resigned their membership are unlikely to be reinstated this season, and therefore would still be ineligible for the Ryder Cup.
Pelley said “There have been several suggestions that with the joint commitment to end further litigation between the parties, this also means our sanctions against players who broke our regulations will be waived,". He added, "That is not the case. The suspensions and fines previously imposed remain effective."
Sounds like we are far from happy families at this stage, and I doubt this is the last we will hear of it in the run up to the Ryder Cup.
Rory McIlroy - The face of the resistance, rendered a ‘sacrificial lamb’
Think of Rory McIlroy… won’t somebody please think of Rory McIlroy! For those that don’t instantly get the dated Simpson’s reference, the announcement has left me feeling that the real loser in all of this is Rory. While McIlroy admits that he wasn’t offered any inordinate amount of money to join LIV Golf, he stood up and passionately defended the PGA Tour, as its spokesperson and unofficial leader, before the powers that be took the decision to make that position a little less tenable and a lot more lonely.
McIlroy, who described feeling like a ‘sacrificial lamb’ when discussing the news in a recent press conference, was clearly disheartened by aspects of the announcement, but summarised that, in the long run, the additional funding would be good for the sport.
The fiery, passionate McIlroy that we have become accustomed to was still very present however, as the Northern-Irishman stated he ‘still hates LIV’ and wants it to ‘go away’. With a clear desire to clarify the distinction between the begrudgingly welcomed PIF funding, and the LIV Golf Tour, McIlroy will surely know there is a long way to go and I doubt he is ready to stop defending the PGA Tour and its interests just yet.
A look to the future - the emerging talent that stole the show last weekend
I don’t want to be one of those guys, but for those of you that read last week’s ‘The Cut Stuff’… I told you so.
Rose Zhang became the first woman to win on debut in an LPGA Tour event since 1951. Within just nine days of turning pro, the 20-year-old held off Jennifer Kupcho in a tense play-off to take the victory. Zhang said “To turn pro and come out here [and win], it's just been amazing. I've enjoyed the journey.”
Tom McKibbin also raised a few eyebrows last weekend, with a maiden DP World Tour victory at the Porsche European Open in Hamburg. McKibbin hails from Holywood, the same Belfast Club as Rory McIlroy, and it goes without saying that the former World Number One was impressed by McKibbin winning after just 26 starts on the DP World Tour.
McIlroy said “I was really happy for him. For 20 years old, he showed so much composure. We've all known from back home the potential that he has, but I think to break through and win for the first time at 20 years old, there's a bright future ahead of him. I'm just so happy and so proud of him. I've known Tom since he was 10 years old. And to see his progression and see where he is today and get that first win in Europe was really cool to see.”
After a winning prediction of sorts last week, it would be foolish of me not to also mention in this section another exciting young star making his name on the PGA Tour. Ludvig Aberg is making his professional debut at the RBC Canadian Open this week, and the young Swedish star is certainly starting to turn heads. Playing alongside Hatton and Fitzpatrick, he certainly has a lot of potential and will surely be aiming to emulate Rose Zhang’s early career success after a successful amateur career.
Coming up this weekend…
Through the noise and the turbulence of an unforgettable week, it is important to remember that there is some exciting golf happening this weekend. The PGA Tour heads to the RBC Canadian Open, perhaps the unluckiest golf event in history. In recent years, The Canadian Open has had to contend with COVID-19 cancellations, The emergence of LIV Golf and now the politics of a fledgling relationship between feuding parties. Still, with a strong field and a new track to enjoy, there is plenty of time for the Canadian Open to steal the show. Keep an eye out for a strong British contingent as we get to the business end on Sunday.
On the DP World Tour we head to one of my favourite events on the calendar, The Scandinavian Mixed, where we get to see the best male and female golfers compete on the same course and in the same competition. Ladies European Tour star Linn Grant heads to Sweden as the defending champion, after famously trouncing the field last year, and will be gunning to make it back-to-back wins in her home nation.
And finally, fresh from its captivating storyline last week, the LPGA moves just down the road to the ShopRite Classic in New Jersey. After three solid rounds last week, World Number 6 Atthaya Thitikul will be hoping to continue her good form and claim her third LPGA Tour victory.
