Abraham Ancer Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

Take a look at Abraham Ancer’s dream golfing back garden

Matt Smith — Tue, 28 Mar 2023 08:03:02 +0000

Abraham Ancer’s backyard in Texas

Abraham Ancer has certainly started 2023 on a high, winning the PIF Saudi International at Royal Greens in Jeddah in February before turning his attention to the LIV Golf League schedule and a date at The Masters.

And it looks like he might have a secret weapon when it comes to keeping in form while at home in San Antonio, Texas, as his back garden is a golfers dream, with a mini course that is perfect for honing his short game.

Take a look:

Ancer's backyard is a golfer's dream

?: Instagram / ez_scape#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/P6ChT58YY3

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 27, 2023

Now to transfer those hours in the yard into some more trophies — and Ancer will be hoping to pick up a couple in Orlando and Augusta in his next two outings.

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Abraham Ancer helps LIV win latest clash v PGA Tour in Saudi

Golf Digest Middle East — Tue, 07 Feb 2023 04:58:14 +0000

He began brilliantly and his ending wasn’t too shabby, either. Leading from start-to-finish after opening with a seven-under 63, Abraham Ancer claimed the title and a cheque for $1 million at the Asian Tour’s PIF Saudi International. Closing with a 68 in which he dropped only one shot, the 31-year-old Mexican’s 19-under 261 total was two strokes better than runner-up Cameron Young in what felt like a one-on-one showdown between the LIV Golf regular and the reigning PGA Tour rookie of the year. Australia’s Lucas Herbert was third, four shots behind the champion and one ahead of Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana.

Only once and only briefly during the final round over the 7,010-yard Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in King Abdullah Economic City was Ancer caught. Four birdies over the opening seven holes from Young — one of three PGA Tour members to request and receive a conflicting-event release to compete in the event — had the pair level. But Ancer’s two at the short par-3 eighth, where Young made bogey, opened a two-shot advantage that was never again completely closed. Without having to make another birdie over the closing 10 holes, the University of Oklahoma graduate who moved to LIV from the PGA Tour last summer comfortably maintained his edge over Young, who has flown back to the US to play in this week’s WM Phoenix Open, one of the PGA Tour’s new ‘designated’ events.

“That was a lot of fun and the first time I’ve been able to win wire-to-wire,” said Ancer, whose four professional victories have come on four different tours (Web.com, PGA Tour, PGA Tour of Australasia and now, the Asian Tour). “I played good every single day. I kept telling myself I was in 20th place and didn’t really look at the leader board much. I felt pretty much in control of my game.”

All of which was in contrast to Ancer’s one previous start in 2023. A week earlier he had missed the cut in the DP World Tour’s Hero Dubai Desert Classic

“I know from previous years that the first event after the break is usually not very solid,” Ancer said. “Especially in the first round, I am always rusty. I actually played well in the second round and only missed the weekend by a shot. So I came here feeling like my game was in a good spot. You need a short memory as a golfer. And this week was, I believe, the most I have ever felt in control of the golf ball. I made only two bogeys all week. So this has to be one of the best ball-striking tournaments I’ve had for sure.

“I never like to feel comfortable to the point where I feel like I can just par in,” he continued, despite doing just that over the closing nine holes. “You don’t want to be thinking that. I stayed focused on being in the moment, even when Cam came out all guns blazing and made some birdies on the front nine. The par save I made on seven was huge. Then the long putt I made for birdie on eight really set the tone and calmed me down.”

While Ancer was the undoubted star of the show, this was a week dominated by those, like the champion, who compete on the LIV Golf League (the lead sponsor of the Saudi International is also the financial backer of the new circuit). Of the top 11 finishers, other than Kaewkanjana, only Young and Herbert (who also received a release from the PGA Tour to play this week) weren’t regulars on LIV. Indeed, the event at Royal Greens served for many as a warm-up tournament ahead of LIV Golf’s official season-opener later this month at Mayakoba Golf Resort in Mexico.

Which is not to say this week represented success all the way for the LIV players. Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, Open champion Cameron Smith, Bubba Watson, Justin Harding and Kevin Na were among those who missed the halfway cut, all likely appreciative to knock off the competitive rust as they get set to play in Mexico in three weeks.

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Ancer ready for a homecoming party in Mexico at LIV Golf Mayakoba

Matt Smith — Mon, 06 Feb 2023 12:23:52 +0000

Abraham Ancer. Saudi International 2023/Neville Hopwood

Abraham Ancer was always relishing a return to his native Mexico for the 2023 LIV Golf League opener at Mayakoba.

But now he has even more reason to celebrate when he arrives to greet family and friends back home with the Saudi International trophy tucked away in his cabinet.

The Mexican held on for a wire-to-wire victory over American Cameron Young near Jeddah, claiming an eventual two-stroke triumph on 19-under — with Aussie Lucas Herbert third on 15-under — to get the party started

“Any time I get to play in front of my family and friends in my home country is a lot of fun. This time it will be extra special.

“I feel like golf is beginning to take off in Mexico a bit, and obviously bringing a LIV event there is huge. I am really excited and pumped. Mayakoba is an unbelievable place to go — even if you don’t like golf, it’s an unbelievable place to just hang out, and now with the Saudi victory it is going to be a great week.”

The diminutive 31-year-old was consistently outdriven by his playing partners Cameron Young and Matthew Wolff at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Sunday during the final round of the Asian Tour $5 million flagship event, but Ancer consistently had the answers.

“There is hope for us short guys,” he joked. “I have played with big hitters my whole life, ever since I was a little kid, I just know I need to hit it closer from farther away. It is sometimes a little frustrating hitting a tee ball relay well and then you are using a 6-iron and then you walk 50 yards and they’re hitting a wedge. But if you get caught up in that then you’re going to be hitting all over the place. I know I’m not going to be anywhere close to Matt off the tee with the driver. I have just got to be accurate instead, that’s the way I like it and it’s nothing new.”

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Abraham Ancer claims historic wire-to-wire win at Saudi International

Matt Smith — Sun, 05 Feb 2023 13:52:29 +0000

Abraham Ancer. Saudi International 2023/Paul Severn

Abraham Ancer held his nerve to see off the valiant fight from Cameron Young to claim the fifth Saudi International title at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Sunday.

The Mexican made it a historic wire-to-wire victory in the Asian Tour’s flagship event to pick up the $1 million top prize as well as the giant trophy, following in the footsteps of Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell and Harold Varner III.

Congratulations to @Abraham_Ancer on winning the 2023 PIF @SaudiIntlGolf powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers!???

He has become the first player to win wire-to-wire in the tournament and the second Mexican ?? to win on the Asian Tour since 1995. ?#PIF_SaudiIntlGolf pic.twitter.com/5GLkBnlbTu

— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) February 5, 2023

Despite two birdies on the final three holes, including a sensational 2 on the notoriously difficult 16th, it was not enough for Young, after finding the water on 13 and then a costly three-putt double-bogey on 15 effectively ended his challenge as he dropped four strokes back.

In the end, Ancer won by two on 19-under from Young — equalling the tournament record set by Johnson in 2019 — with Aussie Lucas Herbert taking solo third on 15-under.

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Abe keeps them honest to take two-stroke lead into final day at Saudi International

Matt Smith — Sat, 04 Feb 2023 13:50:35 +0000

Abraham Ancer. Saudi International 2023/Oisin Keniry

Abraham Ancer was pushed all day by Cameron Young, but the Mexican had the final say on the 18th green to pull out a two stroke lead going into the final day of the Saudi International.

The 31-year-old came into Saturday with a solitary stroke advantage over his nearest rival — American Young — and the pair went toe to toe over the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in an enthralling final match of the day.

Ancer, who found himself one stroke down after 10 holes, took advantage of a rare Young error on the testing 13th hole to grab a two-stroke lead.

After Young halved the deficit on 17, but Ancer had the answer yet again on the last with a sensational approach shot to within a foot after Young had overcooked his own shot and had to settle for par.

Ancer’s 64 took him to 17-under, while Young’s 65 has him a little further behind on 15-under.

“That was another very solid round,” Ancer said. “I am happy with no dropped shots. That’s always my goal. On a golf course like this where it’s blowing pretty good, I’m really, really happy.

“I’m not really focused on what everybody else is doing. Just trying to play the same game I’ve been playing the past three days. Back home, I’ve been practising quite bit leading up to Dubai, and I felt really good back home. Then on the way over here, it always takes a little bit of time to get adjusted. But I knew I was in a good spot, and I felt like a couple things were clicking towards the end of the round there.”

Young added: “I think I’ve played really solidly. Obviously Abe’s playing some really nice golf. So I think tomorrow will be fun.”

The third man of the group, Thai Sadom Kaewkanjana, is in a tie for third going into the final round, alongside American Matthew Wolff and Aussie Lucas Herbert on 10-under, seven back from Ancer ahead of what is surely a two-horse race for the title in this Asian Tour flagship event.

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As you were for Ancer as Mexican takes one-stroke lead into third round of Saudi International

Matt Smith — Fri, 03 Feb 2023 14:42:45 +0000

Abraham Ancer maintained his one-stroke lead at the Saudi International on Friday — and could even afford a little wobble on the way in.

The Mexican picked up his first bogey of the week on the par-4 17th, but was still content with a 66 to go with his first-round 63 and an 11-under total, allowing him to hold the edge over American Cam Young, following his second consecutive 65 over the par-70 course at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club.

Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana and Aussie Marc Leishman are a further stroke back in joint-third, with a host of big names in the hunt, including last week’s Dubai Desert Classic runner-up Patrick Reed, England’s Paul Casey, fit-again Sergio Garcia and defending champion Harold Varner III.

“Having that bogey on 17 from a very scoreable spot kind of burns a little bit and dropping the first shot of the tournament,” said Ancer. But I’m extremely happy with my play and the way my body feels.

Overnight leader @Abraham_Ancer maintained his one-shot lead after carding a second-round 66. ?https://t.co/QQChqRrghk @SaudiIntlGolf #PIF_SaudiIntlGolf #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/KKHnvjcaWp

— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) February 3, 2023

“Now I will go sleep as much as I can, maybe wake up around 6 or 7am, do some work then come out here two hours before, do another little warm-up, stretching, and chip and putt, hit some balls and get after it.”

Young added: “I think it’s been a lot of fun in the wind. We have to hit a bunch of shots, and I’ve played really nicely.

“If the wind stays kind of like this, I think 20 would have a really nice chance. It obviously could pick up and staying at 10-under could be an achievement, too. So we’ll see.”

Brooks Koepka hit the shot of the day on 18, blasting a wonderful bunker shot around 230 yards to around four feet.

Ladies and gentlemen, here’s your @aramco Shot of the Day – courtesy of @BKoepka ?@SaudiIntlGolf #PIF_SaudiIntlGolf #whereitsAT pic.twitter.com/dBxwU9Fgkq

— Asian Tour (@asiantourgolf) February 3, 2023

“I think we were about 228, so it was a good 7-iron, just hit it right in there,” he said after his 67 took him to four-under. “Obviously it’s downwind, so anything short of that green is going to bounce up, and from there you’re just trying to put it on the green.

“I’m hitting better shots. I felt more rust come off today. That’s a goal of mine this week, get rid of that stuff and just be more consistent.”

It wasn’t such a good day for world No. 4 Cameron Smith and fellow major winners Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson and Bryson DeChambeau, who all missed the cut.

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Ancer has the answer to a windy opening day at Saudi International

Matt Smith — Thu, 02 Feb 2023 11:54:48 +0000

Abraham Ancer. Matt Smith/Motivate Media Group

Abraham Ancer took advantage of the ‘calmer’ morning conditions at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club on Thursday to take command of the first round of the Saudi International.

The Asian Tour flagship event kicked off the 2023 season, and with $5 million on the line, it is a nice way to start the year on the Red Sea coast.

Ancer, 31, is a national star in his home country of Mexico, and is getting up to speed in Saudi ahead of the LIV Golf season opener at Mayakoba at the end of the month.

Despite playing with legendary company in Phil Mickelson and Books Koepka, who have 10 majors between them, it was Ancer who shone, with a seven-birdie 63 in the morning groups.

“I am pretty happy with that,” he said, after his seven-under gave him a one-stroke lead from Colombian Sebastian Munoz. “I felt like I was in control for the most part of the golf ball. I took advantage at the beginning where there was very little wind.

“After the turn, the wind started pumping pretty good. Once it starts getting that way, you try to hold on, and being able to make a couple birdies coming in was definitely nice.

“In the morning wave, you want to make as many biridies as you can as it is tougher in the afternoon when the wind really gets going here. It was good to manage that. It was bogey-free, so I am really happy with that performance.”

Munoz, who is just as laidback as his Mecican counterpart, added: “I will relax for the rest of the day. I think I’ve got a haircut scheduled, so I’ll do that. Then tomorrow I will keep it simple. Keep it the same.”

Easy when you know how.

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LIV Golf: Abraham Ancer impressed with rising Thailand star Sadom Kaewkanjana

Matt Smith — Wed, 27 Jul 2022 11:25:25 +0000

Sadom Kaewkanjana. LIV Golf

By Matt Smith
When Abraham Ancer signed for a seven-under 65 on the final day of the 150th Open Championship two weeks ago, you may think that he would be talking about his own exploits to the media. However, LIV Golf’s world No. 22 preferred to heap the praise his playing partner over the Old Course that Sunday.

The Mexican was paired with Thailand’s Sadom Kaewkanjana, who is one of the rising stars on the Asian Tour. Not to be outdone, Sadom also shot a 65 in the final round of the Open, bettered only by champion Cameron Smith’s 64.

Ahead of the third LIV Golf event at Bedminster this week, both Ancer and Sadom are in fine fettle, finishing tied 11th at 11-under in St Andrews. The 24-year-old’s feat was the highest-placed finish by a Thai golfer in the oldest major, edging out Thongchai Jaidee’s T13 in 2009. Sadom will now look to keep up his good form in New Jersey this weekend as part of Kevin Na’s Iron Heads team alongside compatriot Phachara Khongwatmai and Zimbabwe star Scott Vincent.

Abraham Ancer. Asian Tour

Following their exploits in St Andrews, Ancer told AsianTour.com: “It always helps when you are playing in the same group with someone who is playing good golf. It somehow makes you play better. Today, Sadom played exceptionally well.

“I was very impressed with what I saw. I have never played with him before, but from what I saw today… he’s definitely an extremely talented player. He’s very good at this game and I think we are going to see a lot of him in the future. His putting definitely stood out. He just rolled the ball beautifully. The putts that didn’t go in, they all had a really good chance to go in.

“It was also that he was not overawed by the occasion. I think it must have been the most important round of his career so far, in a Major on a Sunday, and he was very calm and composed.”

Ancer is also delighted that young stars such as Sadom get to display their talents to a worldwide audience on the LIV Golf stage. “I feel like when we bring in talent from all over the world and showcase it in big events, I think it’s great for golf,” he added.

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‘Everyone is against us’: Talor Gooch opens up on how LIV players band together at Open Championship

Matt Smith — Sat, 16 Jul 2022 21:58:29 +0000

By Matt Smith
There has been a lot of negative talk surrounding LIV Golf players taking part in thew 150^th Open Championship at St Andrews this week — Greg Norman was disinvited from the Champions Dinner, players such as Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka were left out of the marquee groups, and Ian Poulter was even booed as he stood on the first tee.

But a couple of those 24 players who have committed to the LIV Golf Invitational Series — a tour that the PGA Tour and DP World Tour staunchly oppose and have banned any of their players who have competed in the two LIV events so far — have revealed that rather than hinder them, the negative vibes have pulled them closer together.

Abraham Ancer insisted there was “a really cool camaraderie between us” after completing his second round, and Talor Gooch added: “Everybody, it feels like, is against us, and that’s OK. It’s kind of banded us together, I think.”

Dustin Johnson, the former world No. 1 who is also now a LIV golfer, insists he does not listen to the negative news, choosing to ignore it all instead. “I don’t really know what you’re talking about,” DJ said when asked about recent comments against the LIV Golf series. “I don’t read anything. So I wouldn’t know what you were saying or if there was anything negative being said. It doesn’t bother me because obviously, everyone has their own opinion and I have mine, and the only one I care about is mine.”

It seems to be a common practice among the LIV players. Poulter added: “I don’t want to know. You can tell me, I’m not going to listen. I’m here to play golf,” while Sergio García chimed in with: “I don’t know how to read any more.”

With DJ and others near the top of the leaderboard, it would certainly make fascinating viewing if the Claret Jug were to be handed over to one of these LIV-ers on Sunday evening.

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What Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and the rest of the new LIV golfers said in their first pressers

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 08:52:23 +0000

Brooks Koepka during practice prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. LIV Golf

By Dan Rapaport
For Greg Norman and LIV Golf, Tuesday’s press conferences are a victory lap of sorts — an opportunity to show off six big-name golfers they have signed up from the PGA Tour. This being the first time Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Wolff, Abraham Ancer, Brooks Koepka, Pat Perez and Patrick Reed have addressed media regarding their decision, nearly every question has been a version of the same core quandary: Why did you do it?

[parone_video_player campaign=”281″ defaultlang=”en” feed=”51-all-videos”/]

Money, of course, is the chief driver here, and it’s the main reason those six are in Oregon. But it is not the only reason.

Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau speaks to the media in Portland. LIV Golf

The crown jewel of this recruiting class, DeChambeau was efficient with his words, disciplined in the scope of his comments. He stayed on message, and his agent, Brett Falkoff, gave him a pat on the back after he walked out of the media centre. Job done. It was a noticeable departure from DeChambeau’s rambling exchanges back in his PGA Tour days, before he stopped talking to writers due to perceived slights. It’s as if someone finally got through to Bryson to tell him that this is what he should say, and that he does not need to say anything else.

DeChambeau talked about his entrepreneurial spirit, his desire to use the money to give back to the communities in his hometown in California and to build a multisport complex in Dallas, where he currently resides. He spoke of the freedom the schedule gives him to rest and to pursue his own content-making opportunities on YouTube. DeChambeau said he wants to focus on “moving on,” “looking forward” and using the game as a force of good — almost verbatim to Phil Mickelson’s answer to this question.

“I understand people’s decisions and their comments and whatnot,” DeChambeau said. “But as it relates to me, I’ve personally made that on my own as my own decision. And I won’t say any more on that because there’s no need. We’re golfers at the end of the day. And I think that I respect everybody’s opinion, that’s the most important thing.

“But golf is a force for good and I think as time goes on, hopefully people will see the good that they’re doing and what they’re trying to accomplish.”

DeChambeau also said he tried multiple times to get onto the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council to work on changing the tour from the inside, but he was not successful. He said he did not know what the PGA Tour could’ve done to avoid his departure but did say he has not resigned his membership and hopes to play both tours.

WATCH: All the action live from Portland

Matt Wolff

Matt Wolff. Sean M. Haffey

Wolff seemed the most genuine of the bunch. He is a different cat, not afraid to discuss his challenges with life on the road and the cold competitiveness of the PGA Tour. He said he felt isolated, depressed, dejected. He simply hasn’t been happy for long stretches, and he seems to view LIV as a much lower-stress option to the life he lived 12 months ago. Wolff absolutely loved his time at Oklahoma State — he has said he regrets leaving Stillwater early, and spent most of his time there during his hiatus from the game last year — and revelled in the team environment. He is a deeply social person, perhaps not cut out for the rugged individualism of the PGA Tour. He knows that, and he’s OK with that.

“I just think that like this just gives us such a good opportunity and getting back to (why I joined),” Wolff said. “You’re going to try so hard for your team and it just gives you so much more opportunity to enjoy yourself and have little small wins and feel good about yourself rather than shoot 75 on Sunday (and feel like) I could’ve played better, I could have done this, I could have done that.”

Abraham Ancer

Abraham Ancer. Sam Greenwood

Ancer fancies himself an entrepreneur. He co-launched a successful drinks company with Mark Wahlberg and has his eyes on other business projects. The influx of cash, he said, coupled with a lighter tournament schedule will allow him to live a balanced life between his golf, his family and his business. All three players spoke of the lighter schedule, though LIV is expected to expand to a 14-event schedule for 2024, and all three said they’re keen on continuing to play the majors, which would bring the total to 18.

“I actually made a list of a lot of pros and cons and it wasn’t definitely an easy decision,” the Mexican said. “If it was just a business decision then yeah, it was extremely easy, right? But now it’s came down to quality of life. And I felt like in the last two or three years I’ve been giving my all to golf and business outside of golf as well. So I haven’t really had a life outside of golf in business. So I feel like I haven’t seen my family that much. So yeah, just talk to everybody that’s close to me and kind of put the cards on the table.”

Ancer was also pressed on whether he’s worried that his golf game will suffer now that he’s not playing against PGA Tour competition every week and dealing with a 36-hole cut. He brushed that one aside, suggesting he’s way too competitive a person to simply go through the motions in any competition.

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka. LIV Golf

Koepka, who said did not have discussions with LIV Golf until after the US Open, took a rather combative and dismissive tone throughout his 30 minutes at the podium. When asked what changed from when he vehemently supported the PGA Tour, he simply said “my opinion”. When asked to give specifics on that, he declined. When asked if he’s concerned about future access to the majors, he said that playing well will take care of itself but didn’t seem too bothered either way: “I made a decision,” he said. “I’m happy with it, and whatever comes of it, I’ll live with it.” The most illuminating part of his presser came when he discussed his injuries and how the lighter schedule will benefit his worn-down body.

“I came back to play three weeks after surgery on a knee where they’re like you’re not going to play for six months,” Koepka said. “Just because I didn’t feel like I was going to miss the whole season next season. It was just bad timing. Where now, I mean, got, what, seven more events to play? I mean, you’re not doing a month on the road anymore. You know, life does go on even though when we’re not playing golf. So being away from home for a month. I don’t have any kids that I know about. So being at home is not really a thing for me, but life does go on. And like there’s some things we miss at home, being friends, family, a lot of birthdays. It would just be nice to be home a little bit more. I think that’s a big thing that everybody, every one of these 48 players will say the same thing.”

Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed. Ben Jared

Reed, wearing a LIV Golf hat, said he had resigned his membership from the PGA Tour. Reed also did not shy away from criticising Ponte Vedra. He was asked what the tour could’ve done to keep him and said “listen to the players for once”. He said the FedEx Cup schedule forced him to play for weeks on end and of the burnout that comes with multiple weeks on the road.

“We have a smaller schedule,” Reed said of LIV. “We actually have an off season where not only can we get healthy, work on our bodies, but we’re basically allowing ourselves throughout the year to, you know, try to peak at the right times is when you’re playing rather than feeling like you have to play every single week. And on top of it, just the quality of life for us as players now, you know, having less events, being able to spend more time at home with the family, if you have kids, being able to spend time with your children, and not sitting there and having to play three, four weeks in a row, then have a week off, and during that week off you’re preparing trying to get ready for the next week. You’re able to actually now set out a schedule, go out and put all you have in every single event. You’re not having to conserve energy ever.”

Interestingly, he suggested a shotgun start is the best way to identify a champion because everyone is playing at the same time.

Pat Perez

Pat Perez. Robert Laberge

Perez kept it real: he’s 46, he’s played over 500 events on the PGA Tour, and for him, this is like “winning the lottery”. He will play much less than he did for the past two decades and he will make more money.

“I’m a 30- to 33-week guy,” he said of his past PGA Tour schedule. “Every year I’ve done it and now I don’t have to. And I get to be with them. I get to be with my family. At my age this is an absolute golden opportunity for me. I get to play. DJ is my captain. I get to play seven this year and whatever else in the future. It’s a no-brainer for a guy my age that’s been on the road. I just had three weeks off. I feel great. I couldn’t be more excited about this, and that’s the bottom line.”

He spoke passionately against the PGA Tour’s handling of the situation and said he has not resigned from the PGA Tour because he feels he has done nothing wrong, and that he should be able to play on the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50.

“(Jay Monahan) doesn’t listen to the players. Somehow the tour they keep talking about, oh, yeah, we work for you, we work for the players, we work for the players. It’s the opposite. Seems like we work for them. We don’t have a say in anything.”

Perez drew perhaps the only laugh in a very tense room when he said that “at world No. 170, I’m not concerned about the majors”.

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