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 desires the most effective gamers to play side-by-side in each match, 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 someway determine a strategy to get the most effective gamers enjoying in opposition to one another extra typically.”
One consequence of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf divide is that the 4 majors have develop into much more outstanding. 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 yr.
LIV has additionally seen success in latest 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 newest main at Pinehurst No. 2.
“While you have a look at the U.S. Open two weeks in the past or the Masters or the PGA Championship, individuals are pleased to see Bryson [DeChambeau] or Cam [Smith] or Jon Rahm coming and enjoying in these massive occasions,” Westwood stated.
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“It’s principally getting all the most effective gamers collectively in a single match to compete in opposition to 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 latest Ryder Cup workforce. He represented Staff Europe at Whistling Straits in 2021, incomes a single level. The People trounced the Europeans that yr, 19-to-9.
Lower than one yr 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 latest 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 sport was coming collectively after I performed at LIV Houston three weeks in the past. Then I went house and did a bit of bit of labor on it. I in all probability haven’t been working as arduous on my sport as I might have appreciated to, however I put in a bit extra work within the week off,” Westwood defined.
“Putted nicely final week. I sharpened my brief sport up as a result of I’ve been enjoying extra, and my sport is in a extremely 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 match off strongly has given me plenty of confidence going into this week.”
Jack Milko is a golf employees author for SB Nation’s Taking part in Via. Remember to try @_PlayingThrough for extra golf protection. You possibly can comply with him on Twitter @jack_milko as nicely.
