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	<title>LIV Golf Archives - Golf Digest Middle East</title>
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	<title>LIV Golf Archives - Golf Digest Middle East</title>
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		<title>Destination Sport announced as Majesticks GC’s Official Travel Partner</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/destination-sport-announced-as-majesticks-gcs-official-travel-partner/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 26 Dec 2023 07:19:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Destination Sport]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Majesticks]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73858</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Majesticks become first LIV Golf team to secure Official Travel Partner</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/destination-sport-announced-as-majesticks-gcs-official-travel-partner/">Destination Sport announced as Majesticks GC’s Official Travel Partner</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1">Majesticks GC has announced a new partnership with Destination Sport Group which will see the global sports travel leader become the team’s Official Travel Partner.</p>
<p class="p1">The partnership will position Destination Sport to help golf fans get closer to the action, through exclusive Majesticks GC ticket and hospitality packages curated by its brands Sportsbreaks.com and Sportsworld, unlocking access to the team consisting of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood, Henrik Stenson and Sam Horsfield. They will also work together to provide premium benefits to fans &amp; followers of Majesticks GC via giveaways, discounts and more.</p>
<p class="p1">Destination Sport will also provide business travel services to Majesticks GC, supporting with global travel and accommodation across the team. The group’s specialist division for elite sports travel management – Destination Sport Travel – works with</p>
<p class="p1">35+ teams and governing bodies, including Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, British Cycling, Football Association of Wales, Scottish Rugby and International Ice Hockey Federation.</p>
<p class="p1">“I am thrilled to announce this long-term partnership with Destination Sport. As a truly global team with tournaments in 14 destinations around the world, we’re not only excited to work with Destination Sport to expertly deliver for our team and staff, but to also create unique and engaging experiences as well as exclusive offers to benefit our fans,” said James Dunkley, Team Principal Majesticks GC. “Alongside Destination Sport, Majesticks GC are looking forward to building on the success of our 2023 fan experience by delivering unique access and behind-the-scenes opportunities for fans in 2024.”</p>
<p class="p1">With over 250 staff in 14 countries around the world, Destination Sport have expertise in travel management for elite sports clubs and governing bodies, supporter travel, global hospitality, youth development programmes, endurance, and participation travel plus global destination management. <span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></p>
<p class="p1">“We’re delighted to announce a new partnership with Majesticks GC, representing our first involvement with the LIV Golf League. It’s fantastic to be working with a team who are leading the way in innovation in this new format of golf, and as two organisations with British roots and a global outlook, it’s a perfect fit for us,” said Destination Sport Group Managing Director Paul Hemingway. “The global nature of LIV Golf results in a significant volume of travel so we’re excited to provide Team Majesticks’ players, caddies and staff with a best-in-class travel provision to support their preparations and performance.</p>
<p class="p1">“The LIV Golf League is a unique, engaging format of professional golf which lends itself to exciting experiences for spectators. We look forward to working closely with Team Majesticks to create new fan travel and event hospitality experiences via our Sportsbreaks.com and Sportsworld brands which we hope will appeal to new and existing golf fans alike, starting at next year’s UK tournament.”</p>
<p class="p1">Ian Poulter, Co-Captain of Majesticks GC, added, “We’re really excited about the possibilities of the partnership between Destination Sport and Majesticks GC, and are looking forward to being involved in some fantastic bespoke fan experiences. We also know the level of support and service that Destination Sport provide to elite sports teams, and we are thrilled to have them on board to offer their expertise and help the team.”</p>
<p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>Main image: LIV Golf</em></span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/destination-sport-announced-as-majesticks-gcs-official-travel-partner/">Destination Sport announced as Majesticks GC’s Official Travel Partner</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>&#8220;They own you now&#8221;: Shane Lowry not surprised by Jon Rahm’s LIV jump, still wants him at Bethpage Ryder Cup</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/they-own-you-now-shane-lowry-not-surprised-by-jon-rahms-liv-jump-still-wants-him-at-bethpage-ryder-cup/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 22 Dec 2023 06:24:17 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2026 Ryder Cup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Rahm]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Shane Lowry]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73838</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>“I am sure Rahmbo can play well enough to make the team, so if he doesn’t resign his (DP World Tour) membership, he can still make the team.” said Lowry</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/they-own-you-now-shane-lowry-not-surprised-by-jon-rahms-liv-jump-still-wants-him-at-bethpage-ryder-cup/">&#8220;They own you now&#8221;: Shane Lowry not surprised by Jon Rahm’s LIV jump, still wants him at Bethpage Ryder Cup</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Add Shane Lowry to the chorus of golfers who are a bit dubious of LIV Golf and its place in the golf ecosystem. The Irishman isn’t surprised, nor does he blame, some of the best players in the world for taking the Saudi-backed league’s money, but don’t look for Lowry to be making a Jon Rahm-esque jump anytime soon.</p>
<p>“I think what Jon said about growing the game and stuff, that’s obviously what they have to say,” Lowry said, according to the Irish Independent, at a press conference this week promoting next year’s Amgen Irish Open on the DP World Tour. “They’ve signed on the dotted line. They’ve been told by the communications team that this is what you say when you’re asked this and you have no other choice really because they own you now.</p>
<p>“I don’t know if it’s been damaging, but people who have spent their hard-earned money going out to join a golf club and buy golf clubs and play golf for the weekend, it’s tough for them to listen to the guy who’s already worth whatever say he has to do this to put food on the table for his wife and kids.”</p>
<p>Lowry is one of many who hopes that the standoff between the PGA Tour, LIV Golf and the DP World Tour will come to a halt sometime soon as the disruption caused by LIV has put golf in a “funny place.” He didn’t go so far as to attack executives at the PGA Tour, à la Viktor Hovland, but the 2019 Open champ is undoubtedly exhausted by the never-ending news cycle.</p>
<p>“Do I think they’ve been amazing? No, probably not,” Lowry said. “But I’m not going to criticise them because I think they couldn’t foresee this coming. It was something that just happened. I don’t really know.</p>
<p>“A lot of players have a lot of opinions on the leadership of the tour. But I don’t consider myself clever enough to be able to comment on running a billion-dollar organisation.”</p>
<p>Lowry echoed those comments while speaking with Irish sports website Balls.ie, where it was obvious his disappointment that he won’t get to tee off against Rahm until the Masters. His fellow pros hopping around has forced him to become a bit more “selfish” as well.</p>
<p>“Because it’s been going on for so long now, at the start it was dispiriting, but now, I’ve talked about this a lot with my team, you just have to worry about yourself,” Lowry told the website. “You just have to become that selfish golfer who picks their schedule and wants to play and win the best tournaments in the world. The best tournaments in my mind are Riviera, Bay Hill, the Players, and then leading up to the Masters. They are the tournaments I want to win.”</p>
<p>With all that said, Lowry is fanatical when it comes to the Ryder Cup, and he doesn’t see a reason for Team Europe to lose Rahm just because of his recent about-face. When it comes down to it, Lowry wants to win (and celebrate) the biennial event, and having Rahm on the team is certainly better than not having him.</p>
<p>Rory McIlroy recently called for a rules change to insure the Spaniard could make Team Europe’s Bethpage squad in 2025, but Lowry seemed confident that it won’t need to come down to that.</p>
<p>“The reason they [Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood] couldn’t play Ryder Cup this year was because they resigned their [DP World Tour] membership,” Lowry said Irish Open press conference. “There were certain players that would have been able to make the team if they played good enough, but they just didn’t. I am sure Rahmbo can play well enough to make the team, so if he doesn’t resign his membership, he can still make the team.”</p>
<p><em><span style="color: #999999;">Image: Andrew Redington</span></em></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/they-own-you-now-shane-lowry-not-surprised-by-jon-rahms-liv-jump-still-wants-him-at-bethpage-ryder-cup/">&#8220;They own you now&#8221;: Shane Lowry not surprised by Jon Rahm’s LIV jump, still wants him at Bethpage Ryder Cup</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>Young star Ludvig Aberg says &#8216;red flags&#8217; contributed to him turning down LIV</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/young-star-ludvig-aberg-says-red-flags-contributed-to-him-turning-down-liv/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 21 Dec 2023 05:27:26 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ludvig Aberg]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73816</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>“I am very confident in my decision. I will never chase money; what I do is compete. I did the right thing.” Aberg</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/young-star-ludvig-aberg-says-red-flags-contributed-to-him-turning-down-liv/">Young star Ludvig Aberg says &#8216;red flags&#8217; contributed to him turning down LIV</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>One of golf’s most promising young players says he turned down yet another overture from LIV Golf.</p>
<p>Sweden’s <strong>Ludvig Aberg</strong>, who played on Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team before competing in a major and captured his first PGA Tour title in November, said on a Eurosport podcast that he is “super confident” in his decision to play on the PGA Tour rather than the LIV Golf League that is run by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.</p>
<p>Aberg, 24, said he received the latest LIV offer after finishing his rookie season with a victory in the RSM Classic, where he shot 61-61 on the weekend.</p>
<p>The news of Aberg’s decision comes in the wake of Jon Rahm leaving for LIV, along with a couple of other high-profile PGA Tour players rumoured to be going to the upstart circuit—World No. 4 <strong>Viktor Hovland</strong> and <strong>Tony Finau</strong>—saying they were staying.</p>
<p>In translated text from the podcast interview, Aberg said, “There were a number of red flags, which is not good. We realised that I could potentially burn a lot of bridges, and I wasn’t interested in that. When I look back, I am very confident in my decision. I will never chase money; what I do is compete. I did the right thing.”</p>
<p>Of course, others, such as Rahm and <strong>Brooks Koepka</strong>, have taken similar stances, only to eventually leave the tour for LIV.</p>
<p>“I want to play against the best, because I am a competitive person and like to compete against the best players,” Aberg said. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like that at the moment, it’s a bit more fragmented.”</p>
<p>“When I look at the PGA Tour and the competitions there, there is so much history around all the competitions. And that’s what I like, that’s what I go for. But then you have to respect everyone’s decisions.”</p>
<p>A Texas Tech product who was the first player to earn his card by being No. 1 in the PGA University standings, Aberg showed potentially transcended talent by notching eight top-25 finishes in 11 starts. After going 2-2 in the Ryder Cup, his season built to a crescendo with a runner-up in the Sanderson Farms Championship and four-shot victory in the RSM, at which he scored 29 under for the week.</p>
<p><em><span style="color: #999999;">Image: Ross Kinnaird</span></em></p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/young-star-ludvig-aberg-says-red-flags-contributed-to-him-turning-down-liv/">Young star Ludvig Aberg says &#8216;red flags&#8217; contributed to him turning down LIV</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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		<title>‘A damn bad job’: Viktor Hovland lashes out at PGA Tour but stops short of jumping to LIV Golf</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/a-damn-bad-job-viktor-hovland-lashes-out-at-pga-tour-but-stops-short-of-jumping-to-liv-golf/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:40:20 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Golf. PGA Tour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Viktor Hovland]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73771</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>“The more people leave for LIV the stronger they become and the weaker the PGA Tour becomes" Hovland</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/a-damn-bad-job-viktor-hovland-lashes-out-at-pga-tour-but-stops-short-of-jumping-to-liv-golf/">‘A damn bad job’: Viktor Hovland lashes out at PGA Tour but stops short of jumping to LIV Golf</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Viktor Hovland</strong>, the reigning FedEx Cup champion, said recently that he remains committed to the PGA Tour, at least for the foreseeable future. But his support extends only to the golf course and not to management, which he calls “arrogant” and has done “a damn bad job” in handling the fracture in the game with the launch of the rival LIV Golf League.</p>
<p>Speaking on Discovery’s FORE podcast in his native Norway, Hovland, 26, expressed “doubt” that he would follow recent convert <strong>Jon Rahm</strong> to LIV amid reports that Hovland was getting ready to jump. Having committed to six early-season PGA Tour events, including the season-opening Sentry Tournament of Champion in Kapalua, Hawaii, Hovland indicated that his allegiance was strictly personal and related to his development as a player.</p>
<p>“If I had gone to LIV, I don’t think I would have become a better golfer, and then it is, in a way, end of discussion,” said Hovland, the No. 4 golfer in the world, citing LIV’s 54-hole, no-cut format. “You need the competition with 150 players and a cut. If you don’t play well enough, you’re out. There is something about it that makes your game a little sharper.”</p>
<p>That said, Hovland was in no way critical of Rahm for his recent about-face and joining the upstart circuit and added that he “wasn’t really shocked” by the Spaniard’s decision. “It would be a bit silly to criticize players for leaving,” he said. “After all, you only hear one angle in the media, and there are quite a few different parts happening at the same time. I totally understand why he [Rahm] left. That’s a lot of money.”</p>
<p>Hovland saved his sharpest remarks for the tour’s leadership.</p>
<p>“Just to be clear, I’m not complaining about the position I’m in, and I’m very grateful for everything,” Hovland said. “But the management has not done a good job. They almost see the players as labour and not as part of the members. After all, we are the PGA Tour. Without the players, there is nothing.</p>
<p>“When you get to see what happens behind closed doors, how the management actually makes decisions, which are not in the players’ best interest, but best for themselves and what they think is best. They are not professional golfers after all. There is a great deal of arrogance behind it all.”</p>
<p>Hovland’s candid comments come on the heels of an unusual bout of reticence earlier this month at the Hero World Challenge; the two-time defending champion, who is known for his accommodating personality, declined requests from the tour to appear for a formal pre-tournament press conference in the Bahamas.</p>
<p>Hovland won three times on the PGA Tour in 2023, including the final two playoff events, the BMW Championship and the Tour Championship to claim the $18 million bonus that goes to the FedEx Cup winner. The Norwegian also was one of the stars for Europe in its decisive Ryder Cup victory over the U.S. in Italy, but during the podcast he said that he will compete in fewer DP World Tour events in 2024. Hovland has six PGA Tour titles and two on the DP World Tour.</p>
<div id="attachment_73774" style="width: 750px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-73774" class="size-full wp-image-73774" src="https://golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Viktor-Hovland-poses-with-the-FedEx-Cup-Trophy-after-winning-the-Tour-Championship-in-August-Kevin-C.-Cox.jpg" alt="" width="740" height="500" srcset="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Viktor-Hovland-poses-with-the-FedEx-Cup-Trophy-after-winning-the-Tour-Championship-in-August-Kevin-C.-Cox.jpg 740w, https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/Viktor-Hovland-poses-with-the-FedEx-Cup-Trophy-after-winning-the-Tour-Championship-in-August-Kevin-C.-Cox-300x203.jpg 300w" sizes="(max-width: 740px) 100vw, 740px" /><p id="caption-attachment-73774" class="wp-caption-text"><span style="color: #999999;"><em>Viktor Hovland poses with the FedEx Cup Trophy after winning the Tour Championship in August &#8211; Kevin C. Cox</em></span></p></div>
<p>A native of Oslo who was an All-American at Oklahoma State and won 2018 U.S. Amateur before turning professional in 2019, Hovland expressed hope that the professional golf’s primary factions come to a truce. The PGA Tour currently faces a deadline of Dec. 31 to negotiate a final deal with PIF, the financial muscle behind LIV, after announcing a framework agreement with the Saudi investment firm in June. The tour also said it is moving forward with talks with the business consortium Strategic Sports Group on a potential investment arrangement.</p>
<p>“There is, of course, a division. The PGA Tour is not as strong as before—that’s a fact,” Hovland said. “The more people leave for LIV the stronger they become and the weaker the PGA Tour becomes. I think that’s crazy. I just hope that it will return to normality in the future.”</p>
<p><em><span style="color: #999999;">Main Image &#8211; Ross Kinnaird</span></em></p>
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		<title>Andy Ogletree joins Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/andy-ogletree-joins-phil-mickelsons-hyflyers-gc/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 19 Dec 2023 08:15:49 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Andy Ogletree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Phil Mickelson]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73746</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Ogletree earned his LIV Golf spot for 2024 by finishing first in the season-long International Series standings</p>
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]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Andy Ogletree</strong>, No. 1 in the final International Series rankings in 2023, will join <strong>Phil Mickelson’s</strong> HyFlyers GC for the 2024 LIV Golf League season, the team announced Monday.</p>
<p>The signing of Ogletree, the 2019 U.S. Amateur champion, fills the HyFlyers’ roster vacancy created by the relegation of James Piot, winner of the 2021 U.S. Amateur. Ogletree joins Mickelson, <strong>Cameron Tringale</strong> and <strong>Brendan Steele</strong> on the all-American roster, which is now set for 2024.</p>
<p>&#8220;Andy is one of the most impressive young players in the game who has earned his spot on LIV,&#8221; Mickelson said. &#8220;The work he has continued to put in and the resiliency he showed this past year in creating his own success was awesome to see. He makes the HyFlyers a contender next year and just as importantly, Andy fits in perfectly with everyone on the team.&#8221;</p>
<p>Ogletree earned his LIV Golf spot for 2024 by finishing first in the season-long International Series standings. Ogletree was the dominant player on the International Series, a set of 10 elevated tournaments on the Asian Tour supported by LIV Golf. The 25-year-old from Mississippi produced two wins – in Qatar in February and England in August – and earned 1,101,828.33 in prize money, nearly $525,000 more than his closest pursuer. He also was the Asian Tour’s Order of Merit winner in 2023.</p>
<p>“Andy has played some outstanding golf this year and has been head and shoulders above his peers on The International Series,” said Asian Tour Commissioner and CEO <strong>Cho Minn Thant</strong>.</p>
<p>Ogletree, who competed in LIV Golf’s inaugural Invitational Series event in London in 2022, played in three LIV Golf tournaments in 2023 as a reserve. He finished sixth on the points leaderboard in DC, shooting 7 under as a starter for injured Crushers DC player <strong>Paul Casey</strong>. He replaced injured Majesticks co-captain <strong>Lee Westwood</strong> for the final round in Tulsa, shooting 62. And he started in Orlando as a replacement for Crusher GC’s <strong>Anirban Lahiri</strong>, finishing 43rd on the points leaderboard.</p>
<p>Despite the limited starts, he finished in the Open Zone of the point standings (Nos. 25-44), enabling him to sign with any team that had a vacant spot instead of waiting for the draft.</p>
<p>&#8220;I started getting some phone calls and it was kind of like college recruiting all over again,&#8221; Ogletree said. “A few teams wanted to meet and I had conversations with some of the captains and it followed from there. Since LIV Golf owns the teams, the final contract had to be approved and all of this was navigated over the last few weeks.</p>
<p>&#8220;I was in a fortunate situation being able to travel with LIV during the year. I was at every tournament as a reserve. I was seeing how every tournament works and the team dynamic and the support structure they put in place. I was able to ask a lot of questions and get opinions from different players. And I liked the way Phil went about things and to get that knowledge from one of the greatest of all time is an opportunity I couldn’t turn down.&#8221;</p>
<p>In addition to winning the U.S. Amateur at Pinehurst in 2019, Ogletree also played for the winning U.S. team at the 2019 Walker Cup, and was the low amateur at the 2020 Masters, turning pro shortly thereafter.</p>
<p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>Image: LIV Golf</em></span></p>
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		<title>Jon Rahm says he&#8217;s under &#8216;strict instructions&#8217; to not do public events, interviews after joining LIV</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/jon-rahm-says-hes-under-strict-instructions-to-not-do-public-events-interviews-after-joining-liv/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Dec 2023 12:08:48 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Rahm]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73654</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>It has been reported that previous LIV contracts include restrictions about interviews needing to be pre-approved</p>
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]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong>Jon Rahm</strong> rocked the world of professional golf with last week’s decision to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. But after making a few initial media appearances around the announcement, golf fans shouldn’t expect to see the Spanish star for a couple months.</p>
<p>The reigning Masters champ was in Spain on Wednesday to accept an award for his career from a private club in his native Basque Country. But he was surprised to see any cameras there and made it very clear he would not be doing any media, according to a Reuters report.</p>
<p>“I am under very strict instructions not to do public events, which I have imposed on myself a little bit for myself, and for the change I have given to the world of golf in the last week,” Rahm said.</p>
<p>When asked if he planned on giving an interview, the 29-year-old added, “No!”</p>
<p>It’s unclear where these instructions are coming from, but it has been reported that previous LIV contracts include restrictions about interviews needing to be pre-approved. Regardless, it sounds like the normally outgoing Rahm won’t be talking until the start of the 2024 LIV season.</p>
<p>“There will be nothing until February,” said Rahm, who is expected to make his LIV debut at the season-opening Mayakoba event Feb. 2-4. “I’m not allowed to.”</p>
<p>Rahm’s deal with LIV has been reported to be worth anywhere from $300-$600 million. And he now gives the Saudi-backed league three of the past five major champs as it continues its negotiations with the PGA Tour.</p>
<p>“I don’t consider that what I do is much different, and that I am more or less important than the rest,” Rahm said on Wednesday. “The only thing is that I’m seen on TV right now and that’s it . . . hopefully a little less so in the future.”</p>
<p><em><span style="color: #999999;">Main Image: Sam Greenwood</span></em></p>
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		<title>Fired up by Jon Rahm defection, Fred Couples blasts, &#8216;LIV Tour ain’t changing a thing&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/fired-up-by-jon-rahm-defection-fred-couples-blasts-liv-tour-aint-changing-a-thing/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 15 Dec 2023 05:25:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fred Couples]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Golf. PGA Tour]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Rahm]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73645</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Boom Boom goes in on Jon Rahm who last week signed a LIV deal reportedly worth at least $500 million</p>
<p>The post <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/fired-up-by-jon-rahm-defection-fred-couples-blasts-liv-tour-aint-changing-a-thing/">Fired up by Jon Rahm defection, Fred Couples blasts, &#8216;LIV Tour ain’t changing a thing&#8217;</a> appeared first on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com">Golf Digest Middle East</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Among past and present PGA Tour pros, few have offered more biting commentary on LIV Golf than <strong>Fred Couples</strong>, the seemingly easy-going dude who didn’t let much faze him on the course.</p>
<p>In LIV, “Boom Boom” found a big target he couldn’t ignore, and he’s pulled no punches with some of the most notable players in the game. In one rant at a California PGA Tour Champions event in March, he called <strong>Sergio Garcia</strong> a “clown” and former Ryder Cup teammate <strong>Phil Mickelson</strong> a “nutbag,” though he admitted the latter is among the 10 best players of all time.</p>
<p>Said Couples at the time, ““If you’re giving Phil Mickelson $200 million at age 52 to shoot 74 and 75, God bless you.”</p>
<p>As it was then and now, Couples’ biggest peeve is players going to LIV and talking less about the money they’re getting than the draw of what’s different about the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit that features 48 players, 54 holes, no cuts, team play and enormous purses.</p>
<p>Appearing on Monday night on SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, the 64-year-old, 11-time tour winner was again on a roll in the aftermath of the move of World No. 3 <strong>Jon Rahm</strong> to LIV. Last week, after he signed his deal reportedly worth at least $500 million, Rahm said, “Obviously the past two years there’s been a lot of evolving on the game of golf, things have changed a lot and so have I. Seeing the growth of LIV Golf, seeing the evolution of LIV Golf and innovation is something that has really captured my attention.”</p>
<p>That kind of talk makes Couples go off.</p>
<p>“Don’t sit there and then go on and say, ‘they’re changing the game,’” he said. “What are they changing? Actually, for 50 years, golf has been changed. <strong>Arnold Palmer</strong> changed it. <strong>Jack Nicklaus</strong> changed it. <strong>Tiger Woods</strong> changed it.</p>
<p>“The LIV Tour ain’t changing a thing.”</p>
<p>Couples acknowledged that players can choose to compete wherever they want, but doesn’t want to hear that money makes LIV great.</p>
<p>“One hundred million doesn’t get it; $200 million doesn’t get it; $300 million doesn’t get it, but for $400 million, it’s a great product, and it’s a great show?” Couples said. “OK. Tell me the next guy … ‘I’m going for free, boys. I love this [LIV] tour. I don’t like the PGA Tour anymore.’ No one’s going to do that.</p>
<p>“I wanna see the next superstar say, ‘I’m going to LIV, you know why I’m going? Because it is unreal.’” [The PGA Tour plays] Riviera, and they play TPC Phoenix in front of 300,000 people. I want ’em to go for free. Then go on CNN, and every TV show, and say why they’re going is because it’s that good.”</p>
<p><em><span style="color: #999999;">Main Image: Shelley Lipton/Icon Sportswire</span></em></p>
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		<title>Could LIV Golf move to 72-hole events? The league’s top points-earner says ‘discussions will be had’</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/could-liv-golf-move-to-72-hole-events-the-leagues-top-points-earner-says-discussions-will-be-had/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 13 Dec 2023 10:12:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jon Rahm]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Talor Gooch]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73590</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Changes to LIV Golf's format will be discussed.</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1">From LIV Golf’s inception in June 2022, Jon Rahm had been diplomatic toward fellow pros who had signed with the league backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. The league’s newest member never publicly took issue with those who jumped to the upstart circuit. Rather it was LIV’s format that didn’t sit well with him, saying he had “never liked” the idea of no cuts, 54-hole events and shotgun starts.</p>
<p class="p1">Now that Rahm is the proud owner of a LIV Golf letterman’s jacket after jumping from the PGA Tour and DP World Tour for a deal reported to be worth somewhere between $300 million and $600 million, the question is whether he might have enough sway to introduce tweaks to the fledgling circuit. The 29-year-old Spaniard sounded optimistic last week during his introductory press conference.</p>
<p class="p1">“For all those things that I like about this movement [LIV], there’s always going to be some things that are not perfect, but that’s the situation,” Rahm said. “I’m hopeful that the leaders of LIV Golf might listen to some of my advice and maybe see some changes in the future for the better of the game.”</p>
<p class="p1">Exactly what he would want to see changed isn’t entirely clear. From the outside looking in, it seems the most effective pivot LIV could make would be extending its tournaments to 72 holes and introducing a 36-hole cut. That would seem to satisfy Rahm, who had said previously that “shotgun [starts], three days to me is not a golf tournament.” Having 54-hole events was also one of several reasons why, in October, LIV was denied an application to receive Official World Golf Ranking points.</p>
<p class="p1">But how would that go down with LIV’s other members, a list that includes major winners like Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau? Perhaps most qualified to comment is LIV’s 2023 individual season-long points winner, Talor Gooch.</p>
<p class="p1">“He [Rahm] has been vocal about some stuff he didn’t love, but he wouldn’t have come to LIV if he thought he was going to win 10 tournaments a year and have no competition,” Gooch said. “He’s a true competitor. It’s beyond exciting [to have Rahm].”</p>
<p class="p1">Gooch won three titles from 13 individual LIV events in 2023. He also posted five top-10 finishes. All that accounted for more than $15 million in individual prize money and an $18 million bonus for the individual championship. The 32-year-old Oklahoma native thinks there’s two schools of thought when it comes to keeping LIV’s 54-hole identity.</p>
<p class="p1">“We haven’t had an open forum discussion with all the players,” said Gooch, who last week was transferred from Bubba Watson’s RangeGoats GC to Koepka’s Smash GC. “But you get both sides … guys who would welcome it [72 holes] and some guys who are opposed to it. Discussions will be had, and it’ll be interesting to see what comes of it.”</p>
<p class="p1">Gooch contends there are varying opinions among players, with some who would vote to add a fourth round to LIV events, even though he isn’t in favour of the move.</p>
<p class="p1">“I think LIV Golf was meant to be something different; I think it’s not supposed to be a carbon copy of the rest of professional golf. I lean towards keeping it at 54 holes,” Gooch said. “Part of it too, from my experience on the PGA Tour, was Thursdays are just irrelevant from a fan perspective [except for] only a couple times a year.</p>
<p class="p1">“I’ve always been an advocate of &#8230; I think the majors absolutely should be four rounds, but I don’t necessarily think everything else should be four rounds, almost similar to tennis. We want to do everything we can to make the most entertaining product but [also] the product that’s going to reveal the best golfer.”</p>
<p class="p1">Gooch’s tennis comment was referencing how men’s Grand Slams contest a best-of-five-sets format while playing in three sets at regular ATP events.</p>
<p class="p1">Despite his strong play on the LIV circuit, without those events offering World Ranking points Gooch has plummeted down the OWGR from a career-high of No. 31 to No. 298. As such, Gooch, who is not exempt into the field at any of the four men’s majors for 2024, will need to tweak his schedule in order to qualify for any of them via their OWGR criteria. To get into the Masters in April, Gooch would have to play plenty of Asian Tour and other sanctioned events outside of LIV to crack the top 50 by the end of March. The PGA Championship in May also will be tough. The U.S. Open and Open Championship, however, each offer the opportunity to play in qualifiers to earn spots into their fields.</p>
<p class="p1">“I haven’t even thought that far ahead, to be honest,” he said. “Of course, I want to play in all the majors. As [2024] begins, hopefully we can figure out how to get that done. If qualifying is one of the routes, that’s something I’ll look at.”</p>
<p><span style="color: #999999;"><em>Main image: Asanka Ratnayake</em></span></p>
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		<title>Samooja, Kozuma &#038; Vincent Qualify for LIV Golf League 2024</title>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Dec 2023 17:06:09 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Jinichiro Kozuma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kalle Samooja]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kieran Vincent]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73546</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Finland's Kalle Samooja won the overall event, while Laurie Canter lost out in the three-man playoff</p>
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]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In a gripping 36-hole showdown on Sunday in Abu Dhabi, the remaining 20 players battled it out for one of three coveted spots on the LIV Golf League in 2024.</p>
<p><strong>Kalle Samooja (Finland)</strong> clinched victory, concluding the day at eight under par with impressive rounds of 65 and 71 in Sunday’s marathon finish. This triumph marked a historic moment as Samooja became the first Finnish player to secure a place on the league.</p>
<p>After his remarkable day of golf, <strong>Samooja</strong> shared, “It means a lot. That&#8217;s why we&#8217;re all here. We all knew there are three spots available, three cards, and everyone was after those cards. My only mission was to make it to Sunday and then give it all I have, and we&#8217;re standing here.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">KALLE SAMOOJA IS OUR LIV GOLF PROMOTIONS 2023 CHAMPION ?</p>
<p>He’ll be part of the LIV Golf League in 2024 ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVGolf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVGolf</a> <a href="https://t.co/SxUIeOeeNA">pic.twitter.com/SxUIeOeeNA</a></p>
<p>&mdash; LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) <a href="https://twitter.com/livgolf_league/status/1733834711955386403?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Reflecting on the impact of this achievement and its significance in his native Finland, <strong>Samooja </strong>remarked, “It&#8217;s going to be massive, I think. Golf is booming back home in Finland. We have guys, one guy on PGA TOUR, European Tour (DP World Tour), now LIV Golf, so it&#8217;s going to be massive for Finnish golf.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Samooja gets greeted off 18 green by Greg Norman <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVGolf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVGolf</a> <a href="https://t.co/JSJzaVJXFa">pic.twitter.com/JSJzaVJXFa</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Golf Digest ME (@GolfDigestME) <a href="https://twitter.com/GolfDigestME/status/1733833886755381489?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>The pursuit of the remaining two spots on LIV Golf transformed into an intense battle as three players finished Sunday’s 36-hole contest tied at seven under par. This deadlock led to a playoff to determine the two qualifiers for the league between <strong>Jinichiro Kozuma</strong>, <strong>Kieran Vincent</strong> and <strong>Laurie Canter</strong>.</p>
<p>After two playoff holes, conducted under the recently installed floodlights on Abu Dhabi Golf Club’s 18th hole, Japanese player Kozuma and Zimbabwean Vincent emerged victorious. It was heartbreak for Canter, who missed out on his guaranteed place in the LIV Golf roster in 2024 after a three-putt on the first playoff hole and a double bogey on the second hole handed the remaining two spots to Kozuma and Vincent.</p>
<p><strong>Jinichiro Kozuma</strong>, the sole Japanese player in the LIV Golf League in 2024, expressed his elation saying, “Last year when I played in a spot in LIV Golf, I said that I wanted to come back again for sure, and to be real now, it&#8217;s like a dream. I was in good shape with my golf, so I knew that I had a chance to make it if I made good three rounds. But it&#8217;s just a dream come true. I didn&#8217;t try to be in the best three, but I made it.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Jinichiro Kozuma secures his spot on the LIV Golf League for 2024 ?</p>
<p>The first player from Japan to have a full spot ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVGolf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVGolf</a> <a href="https://t.co/3zh3iWFb8q">pic.twitter.com/3zh3iWFb8q</a></p>
<p>&mdash; LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) <a href="https://twitter.com/livgolf_league/status/1733853232240152594?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p><strong>Kieran Vincent</strong>, forming the only brother duo on the LIV Golf league in 2024 alongside his brother Scott Vincent of the IronHeads GC, shared his excitement. “I think it&#8217;s awesome. Obviously, he&#8217;s a great player and someone I&#8217;ve looked up to for pretty much my whole life. To be playing alongside him again is going to be awesome, but just to learn from the rest of the guys I think is something I&#8217;m looking forward to the most.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kieran Vincent slams the door ?</p>
<p>He’ll be part of the LIV Golf League in 2024 ?<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/LIVGolf?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#LIVGolf</a> <a href="https://t.co/f8cwoOU3oX">pic.twitter.com/f8cwoOU3oX</a></p>
<p>&mdash; LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) <a href="https://twitter.com/livgolf_league/status/1733848984337195516?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 10, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Reflecting on the week&#8217;s events, LIV Golf CEO and Commissioner <strong>Greg Norman</strong> summarised the intense competition and historic moments. “What we witnessed today, and the last three days is something very unique and special to the game of golf, one that I&#8217;m extremely proud of and one my entire team on LIV Golf Worldwide is extremely proud of.”</p>
<p>The LIV Golf League is owned and operated by LIV Golf Investments whose vision and mission is centered around making holistic and sustainable investments to enhance the global golf ecosystem and unlock the sport’s untapped worldwide potential.</p>
<p><em><span style="color: #999999;">Main Image: LIV Golf</span></em></p>
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		<title>Rory McIlroy takes a shot at Henrik Stenson and his terminated Ryder Cup captaincy: &#8216;Best thing to happen&#8217;</title>
		<link>https://mot-backup.golfdigestme.com/rory-mcilroy-takes-a-shot-at-henrik-stenson-and-his-terminated-ryder-cup-captaincy-best-thing-to-happen/</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Golf Digest Middle East]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Sun, 10 Dec 2023 12:07:15 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[LIV Golf]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[European Ryder Cup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Henrik Stenson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rory McIlroy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://golfdigestme.com/?p=73542</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Henrik Stenson was stripped of his captaincy for the 2023 Ryder Cup because he joined LIV in 2022</p>
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										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>It could not have been easy week for <strong>Rory McIlroy</strong>. He saw one of the best players in the world, <strong>Jon Rahm</strong>, defect to LIV Golf for hundreds of millions of dollars, and he remains in a tough spot as the second-most high-profile guy (<strong>Tiger Woods</strong> being No. 1) to take a stand against the Saudis. Yet the Ulsterman also had to go public with a plea that the Ryder Cup qualifying rules be altered so that Rahm could compete for Europe in 2025 and beyond.</p>
<p>So, forgive McIlroy (or not) for letting off a little steam when someone pitched him a slow softball Saturday on X (formerly Twitter). In a discussion referencing McIlroy’s Ryder Cup concern, golf data guru <strong>Lou Stagner</strong>, of Arccos, posted, “I wonder if @McIlroyRory also wants to change the rules so Stenson can captain the team?”</p>
<p>The query—in reference to <strong>Henrik Stenson</strong> being stripped of his captaincy for the 2023 matches because he joined LIV in 2022—was likely facetious and probably rhetorical. But McIlroy, being the avid reader he is, saw the comment and responded on Saturday by taking a shot at the Swede.</p>
<p>“The best thing to happen to the 2023 Euro Ryder cup [sic] team was Henrik going to LIV!” McIlroy said.</p>
<p>A sly joke or a not-so-subtle dig? Who knows, but it helps McIlroy’s case that the Europeans blasted the Americans 16½-11½ at Marco Simone in Italy with <strong>Luke Donald</strong> at the helm for the winning side. And, in fact, the Englishman was so well-regarded for how he handle the team that he’d been tabbed to return as the captain the for 2025 Ryder Cup at Bethpage Black.</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">I wonder if <a href="https://twitter.com/McIlroyRory?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@McIlroyRory</a> also wants to change the rules so Stenson can captain the team? <a href="https://t.co/d0wpP94KqX">https://t.co/d0wpP94KqX</a></p>
<p>&mdash; Lou Stagner (Golf Stat Pro) (@LouStagner) <a href="https://twitter.com/LouStagner/status/1733620334459281731?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 9, 2023</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Stenson, of course, was disappointed to lose his captaincy, though the five-time Ryder Cup player had to know that he was taking that chance when he signed with LIV.</p>
<p>“I’m just disappointed that with everything that came out because there was a big willingness on my part to sit down and talk long before this thing got to where it got to,” Stenson said in an interview after the final round of this year’s Open Championship. “There were certain people, without naming names, that didn’t want to sit down and take those meetings. As a consequence, I feel like we ended up in all of this that could have been avoided. But we live, and we learn.”</p>
<p>Stenson reportedly got a $50 million contract from LIV and two weeks after he was removed as Ryder Cup captain, he won his LIV debut at Trump Bedminster to claim the $4 million first prize. In 13 events this past season, Stenson notched three top-10s.</p>
<p><em><span style="color: #999999;">Image: Christian Petersen</span></em></p>
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