Paul McGinley believes Joe Public could prove to be the biggest winner as golf braces itself for the fallout from LIV Golf’s loss of its big-money Saudi backers.
The Dubliner reckons that the explosion in prize funds prompted by the arrival of the PIF-funded league was “unsustainable” and a period of readjustment is inevitable.
Speaking at the media launch of the OFX Irish Legends, scheduled for Carton House from July 10-12, the Dubliner hopes the fans benefit in the long run.
“Over the last five years, everybody in golf has lost except the players,” McGinley told the Irish Golfer. “And the biggest loser has been Joe Public.
“They're paying more money to get into events. They're paying more for food and drink at events. And when they switch on the TV at night, they're watching a diluted product where the best players aren’t playing together as regularly as they were.
“The sponsors are having to pay more money. The tours have got bigger over overheads. So everybody seems to have lost around here in the last five years, except the players.
“So there may well be a reset in the next couple of years in terms of the business model of golf.
Tom McKibbin (23) was one of the players to cash in with his move to LIV Golf last year, but he has his work cut out to make the cut in the DP World Tour’s Turkish Airlines Open.
He dropped five shots in his first six holes at National Golf Club in Belek before battling back to card a one-over 73
He was seven shots behind Swede Mikael Lindberg, whose bogey-free 66 gave him a one-shot lead over Alejandro del Rey, Ewen Ferguson and Daniel Van Tonder.
In the $20 million Cadillac Championship at Trump National Doral’s famed Blue Monster, Cameron Young opened with a bogey-free eight under 64 to lead by a shot from Jordan Spieth.
World number one Scottie Scheffler struggled to make putts and shot 71, and he was clearly in no mood for LIV questions afterwards.
“I just got off the golf course,” Scheffler snorted when asked about pathways back to the PGA Tour for LIV stars. "I don't know what you want from me."
Meanwhile, American Melanie Green fired a six-under 66 to lead the LPGA’s Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba by a shot from Spain’s Carlota Ciganda.
Article Link: “The biggest loser has been Joe Public" - McGinley on LIV Golf's cost to golf - News - Irish Golf Desk