Tour Confidential: Tiger Woods’ return and new LIV Golf gamers 

Examine in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked subjects within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us at @golf.com. This week, we focus on when Tiger Woods may return, the potential of extra gamers becoming a member of LIV Golf, Collin Morikawa’s win and extra.   

1. Tiger Woods introduced the field for his Hero World Challenge (Nov. 30-Dec. 3), with 17 of the 18 spots stuffed and one spot open for a “TBA event exemption.” Final 12 months, Woods left this spot open for himself, but he withdrew Monday of event week as a result of plantar fasciitis. What are the possibilities we see Woods play the Hero this 12 months? If not on the Hero, when do you are expecting we’ll see Woods subsequent?

Josh Sens, senior author (@joshsens): Woods used to make it fairly plain that the Masters was his high precedence. I feel you can argue that at this level in his profession, taking part in in his personal event within the tropics and along with his son within the PNC at the moment are proper up there in significance to him. So, barring any new bodily setbacks, I’d financial institution on seeing him on the Hero. And naturally within the father/son. And probably the Genesis at Riviera, earlier than Augusta in April. Oh, and if we’re trying additional out — the senior circuit. How about Woods saying he’s trying ahead to getting on the market in a cart when he turns 50? Bear in mind how unlikely that prospect used to look? The years put on on. Individuals change.

Ryan Barath, tools editor (@rdsbarath): As a lot as I’m an optimist, I don’t have a number of optimism for Tiger taking part in much more skilled golf — even his personal occasion. Do I consider that the ultimate spot on the Hero is doubtlessly for Woods? Sure. However the spot may be stuffed by any variety of gamers, together with a participant from LIV. Contemplating the swings we noticed Tiger make a number of weeks in the past on the par-3 course at Pebble Seashore, I feel best-case is we see Tiger subsequent on the Masters. 

Jack Hirsh, assistant editor (@JR_HIRSHey): I don’t assume Tiger would save himself a spot if he didn’t assume he might play. That mentioned, I used to be extra discouraged from the one swing video we noticed from him at Pebble Seashore a number of weeks in the past. That seemed like a person who is nearly utterly unable to push off his proper leg. The surgical procedure he had seems prefer it has vastly restricted his mobility in his proper ankle, so till I’m seeing him swing away at drivers, I feel that is extra of an optimistic hope for Tiger than a practical plan.

2. In a press convention throughout LIV Golf’s Group Championship, Phil Mickelson was confident that extra PGA Tour and DP World Tour gamers would be a part of LIV. “Do I feel that? No,” he mentioned. “I do know that’s going to occur.” How a lot reality do you assume there may be in Mickelson’s assertion? Given the state of the present golf world and the truth that LIV was simply denied World Rating factors, how intrigued do you assume professionals are to affix LIV proper now?

Sens: Mickelson is each a LIV participant and a LIV PR agent, so every thing he says must be taken in that context. On this case, although, I feel he speaks the reality. Appears inevitable that some extra guys will leap; most individuals have a worth, in spite of everything. If there’s sufficient cash concerned, somebody shall be intrigued. Whether or not these shall be massive names or gamers of slim relevance is one other matter. With a lot up within the air with the merger, it’s exhausting to make the calculus. Or make predictions. Whereas the OWGR’s resolution to disclaim rating factors wasn’t excellent news for LIV, it might change into moot relying on the phrases of the deal. We might quickly see a world the place gamers can transfer fluidly between LIV and the opposite excursions. Solely time will inform. I doubt even Jimmy Dunne and Yassir know precisely what’s going to occur at this level.

Barath: Much like what Josh mentioned, I feel Phil is throwing no matter predictions he can into the void, so he can declare any that come true as him being proper. As for high gamers, I wager there could possibly be a number of who’ve current main exemptions who’re keen to signal a take care of LIV if the quantity is excessive sufficient. Look, we might be as romantic as we wish concerning the recreation of golf, however on the skilled degree, there are a number of gamers who’re merely there to make use of their expertise to make as a lot cash as potential — and if LIV nonetheless has a wide-open checkbook, why not take the cash?

Hirsh: Barath took the phrases straight outta my mouth, err, off my keyboard? Anyway, I completely agree: Mickelson is simply throwing you-know-what on the wall and seeing what sticks. I’m undecided he’s as keyed in with discussions as he lets on. I doubt many extra PGA Tour gamers will leap over given how LIV’s future has by no means been extra clouded, given the approaching take care of the PGA and DP World Excursions. If I’m a professional, there’s no manner I’m leaving the PGA Tour for a tour that will not exist in 2025.

3. Golf Channel analyst Brandel Chamblee reacted to Mickelson’s comments and mentioned it’s “inevitable” different stars will be a part of, however mentioned only a few gamers make a distinction. He additionally added: “Rahm worries me a bit as he appears open to the thought.” If the Tour misplaced one other star to LIV within the offseason, how detrimental wouldn’t it be to the PGA Tour in spite of everything that’s occurred to appease the Tour’s high expertise up to now 12 months?

Sens: If one big-name defection led to a slew of others leaping ship, it will make waves. However I don’t assume any single participant switching over could be a vital tipping level, not even somebody of Rahm’s stature. It wouldn’t all of a sudden flip LIV into an thrilling product; and it wouldn’t damage the most important Tour occasions both. You’ll be able to rearrange the puzzle items any manner you need, however the reality stays that there are a restricted variety of tournaments wherever that actually transfer the needle. That was the case earlier than the delivery of LIV, and it stays the case at this time. The irrational market created by LIV might have created the impression that some particular person gamers are invaluable to the sport. That’s fantasy, not actuality. 

Barath: The whole sports activities panorama is constructed on regularity, familiarity and historical past, and irrespective of how exhausting LIV tries to pressure themselves into the skilled golf ecosystem, it’s going to take a seismic shift to: 1) deliver non-major occasions into the world of informal golfers; and a couple of) have informal sports activities followers take note of LIV. On the finish of the day, sports activities scores soar solely when informal followers perceive what’s on the road. For sports activities like baseball, soccer and basketball, that’s the playoffs. In tennis, it’s the 4 Grand Slams. And as a lot because the PGA Tour gained’t admit it, golf’s 4 majors are when informal golf followers care essentially the most. So with all of that in thoughts, I feel LIV might get a number of high gamers, however it gained’t make an enormous distinction.  

Hirsh: We name him the needle for a motive. Until Tiger is doing it, it’s not going to matter. And he’s not doing it. Moreover, even when they might sway one participant, it’s trying more and more like it will be for under a 12 months or so.

4. Collin Morikawa won the Zozo Championship in Japan, ending a winless drought that dated again to the 2021 Open Championship. What had been holding him again the previous couple of years? And now, as he jumps from twentieth to thirteenth within the World Rating with the win, do you count on him to crack the highest 10 in 2024? High 5?

Sens: The stats inform a fairly clear story. Heading into the week, he was second on Tour in Strokes Gained: Strategy and 112th in Strokes Gained: Placing. {Golfing} his ball nicely however rolling it poorly. This week, he rolled it nice. Placing is streaky. The excellent news for Morikawa is that his ball-striking isn’t possible going wherever. And I’d wager on him having sufficient good weeks on the inexperienced to crack the highest 10.

Barath: For Collin, it has all the time been about his placing, and it looks as if his latest gear change has been an enormous assist to that a part of his recreation. If he is ready to keep a gradual degree, even when it’s not prefer it was this week, he’ll proceed to indicate up on leaderboards in 2024 and past. (And here’s the story on his putter!) 

Hirsh: Morikawa simply must have common PGA Tour performances across the greens to win. We actually noticed how a lot his quick recreation holds him again when he blew a six-shot lead on the Sentry. And his placing was simply by no means what it wanted to be. We didn’t get strokes gained information from the Zozo, however judging from his 26 putts in spherical 4, I wager he’d no less than rank among the many high 20 within the discipline in placing. That’s scary for a man who is almost assured to hit 13 to 16 greens a spherical. Plus, he was seventeenth within the discipline in scrambling for the week, with 5 of his seven missed up-and-downs coming in Friday’s 73. The work he’s doing with Stephen Sweeney and Parker McLachlin is clearly paying off.

5. Netflix introduced its first-ever live sports property within the Netflix Cup (airing Nov. 14), which can characteristic Rickie Fowler, Max Homa, Collin Morikawa and Justin Thomas competing in groups alongside Components 1 stars Alex Albon, Pierre Gasley, Carlos Sainz and Lando Norris. What are your ideas on the most recent golf/movie star match?

Sens: Given the stake the Saudis additionally maintain in Components 1, I feel we are able to see this as additional proof of their rising affect within the recreation. A slam-dunk alternative for cross-branding. I count on we’ll see extra of this as time wears on. Personally, I’d moderately get a root canal than sit on my sofa watching Components 1. And I’d take a root canal with out novocaine over watching a bunch of Components 1 drivers play golf with Tour professionals. However I additionally know that that in all probability places me within the minority, and I’m certain that this movie star hoo-hah will draw loads of eyeballs and sponsorship {dollars}. I simply can’t get enthusiastic about it. As a sensible pal lately put it, there’s simply an excessive amount of of everybody these days, clamoring for more money, extra consideration, extra … you title it. Thomas, Morikawa, Fowler, Homa — nice golfers, all. However do we actually must see extra of them in watered-down codecs? What all this fluff does is make the majors and some different significant occasions appear all the higher. I’d moderately save my free time for these competitions than spend it on a televised movie star match. And whereas we’re at it, you children, get off my yard!

Barath: On a private degree, I’m with Josh in that it’s not one thing I’m going to spend so much of time consuming, however — and it’s an enormous one — these kind of leisure occasions should not designed to usher in hardcore followers, and due to that, I feel it’s going to be an enormous hit! I’ve quite a lot of informal {golfing} associates who don’t know the Genesis Invitational from the Farmers Insurance coverage Open, however they had been fast to achieve out and ask me questions on this made-for-TV occasion, which I feel is nice for golf as an entire. A variety of curious individuals shall be tuning in.

Hirsh: I actually have no real interest in watching people who find themselves not higher than me at golf play golf. It’s not enjoyable watching well-known individuals battle to make par on programs arrange for birdie fests. I don’t like watching movie star golf tournaments or the Match when professionals aren’t concerned. Now what could be an important concept is the one floated by our GOLF Subpar guys this week. Let’s cast off the celebrities and provides the caddies their time to shine. A player-caddie crew occasion could be sick.

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