2022’s overlooked stories, Augusta’s LIV decision

Check in each week for the unfiltered opinions of our writers and editors as they break down the most well liked matters within the sport, and be a part of the dialog by tweeting us @golf_com. This Christmas version, we break down the highest tales of 2022 and Augusta National’s current decision on LIV gamers’ eligibility for the Masters.

1. Before we look forward to 2023 in Tour Confidential subsequent week, let’s recap among the most memorable headlines of the previous 12 months. While the tales of the 12 months had been clearly LIV’s inaugural season and Tiger’s return, what different main storyline did everybody appear to miss?

Ryan Barath, Senior Equipment Editor (@rdsbarath): Scottie Scheffler had one of many hottest runs of any participant on the planet this 12 months however as a result of it coincided with LIV Golf, gamers leaving the PGA Tour, and a demeanor that shies away from the highlight, it went virtually forgotten by the autumn.

Josh Sens, Senior Writer (@joshsens): You can’t actually disentangle this one from LIV, however to me, the most important story was skilled golf being compelled to reckon with itself. There’s clearly a disconnect between what the game says it desires to be (world, numerous, perpetually rising) and what it really is. The query is whether or not golf on the elite stage can shut that hole by making a product that may proceed to attract in a brand new era of followers whereas satisfying extraordinarily well-compensated skilled golfers who in some way appear to suppose they’re underpaid.

Jack Hirsh, Assistant Editor (@JR_HIRSHey): I feel Rory McIlroy’s statistical brilliance went considerably overshadowed by his outspokenness whereas rising again to World No. 1. Even earlier than McIlroy took down Scheffler for the FedEx Cup, McIlroy was No. 1 on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Total and scoring common. Data Golf really pegged McIlroy as one of the best participant on the planet in June, after he received the RBC Canadian Open. The duel with Scheffler in East Lake was a matchup of the winningest participant of 2022 and the statistical greatest. In a 12 months most will most likely keep in mind McIlroy (partly) taking the mantle because the face of the PGA Tour by means of his statements to the media, his play on the course was simply as memorable, if no more. Honorable point out is how Jon Rahm didn’t have a nasty season.

2. What was your favourite main of 2022 (males’s or girls’s), and why?

Barath: On the lads’s facet, the US Open is my best choice thanks partially to the host course The Country Club, together with the nail-biting end it offered. Matt Fitzpatrick hit the shot of the 12 months on the 18th gap and there’s not way more you possibly can ask from main championship golf.

For the ladies, it was the Chevron Championship due to Jenifer Kupcho – the inaugural Agusta National Womens Amateur winner, successful the occasion and taking the ultimate leap into Poppie’s Pond throughout the identical week because the ANWA. It was a becoming time to win her first main.

Sens: The Open Championship may have used extra wind and the Masters may have used extra drama, however on stability, this was a terrific main 12 months due to the venues. I’m with Ryan in giving the U.S. Open high billing, given the standard of the course and the tautness of the competitors. But the PGA Championship was an in depth second for me, on one other terrific course, with some heroic shot-making by Justin Thomas down the stretch and the underdog-hero-tragedy aspect of Mito Pereira coming oh so shut. It had all of the substances for excellent drama.

Hirsh: I third Barath’s alternative with the U.S. Open at Brookline. Perfect instance of the USGA bringing again a traditional U.S. Open host again into the rotation and offering a superb venue. Not to say it was one a lot of the public hadn’t seen, not less than for some time. The leaderboard had each character you needed: A few one of the best gamers on the planet (McIlory, Rahm, Scheffler, Morikawa), a hometown hero (Keegan Bradley), the upstart searching for his first title (Will Zalatoris) and the man who received the U.S. Amateur on the similar venue (Fitzpatrick).

3. Who, or what, within the golf world received 2022? 

Barath: One phrase — Speed. Whether it was the a lot talked about additional swing pace acquire from US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick, or the pace of the golf information cycle that made it really feel such as you had been making an attempt to drink from a hearth hose. It felt just like the fastest-moving golf season I’ve ever skilled as a fan, and as somebody that covers the sport for a residing. As somebody that lives in a 4 seasons local weather, I simply hope winter feels prefer it flies by equally quick.

Sens: Lydia Ko. She didn’t win the most important tournaments however she received Rolex Player of the Year and the Vare Trophy for low-scoring common. She did this after pulling her sport out of a dying spiral of the type that the majority gamers by no means get better from. And she did it with the category and kindness and pleasure that she has at all times proven, in good occasions or dangerous. It’s corny to say, however a win for Ko is a win for anybody who appreciates one of the best elements of sports activities typically and golf particularly. There isn’t any simpler participant to root for within the sport.

Hirsh: Change. The PGA Tour has a rival now. The sport has outlined its villains and heroes extra clearly than ever. The PGA Tour is making radical adjustments to its schedule and construction which had been lengthy overdue. Legendary broadcasters are hanging up their microphones. Purse sizes are blowing up out the wazoo. Is all this variation good for the sport? Check again in 2023 I assume.

4. Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley introduced any participant — no matter which tour they play on — might be invited to the 2023 Masters so long as they qualify, a giant win for LIV gamers. Surprised by Augusta’s decision, and the way a lot will it affect golf’s different three organizations that run main championships?

Barath: From the standpoint of holding course, this isn’t a shock decision from Augusta National. Now contemplating the opposite main golf organizations that host championships are all in it for their very own enterprise causes in the identical method Augusta is (though in a extra public method) I count on a lot of the identical from everybody else. 

Sens: Not a stunning decision. This by no means seemed like a battle Augusta was going to tackle. The safer–and extra smart–method is to stay with its traditions and wait and see how issues shake out. I’d count on the identical from the opposite organizations. They’ll follow their customary standards. As everyone knows, these standards would possibly wind up maintaining some LIV gamers on the sidelines primarily based on the Official World Golf Ranking, which these organizations have a say in. That’s the elephant within the room, in fact, and it will possibly solely be ignored for therefore lengthy.

Hirsh: Sure it’s a win for LIV gamers, however in the identical method going to the financial institution with out getting robbed is. It was by no means practical Augusta National was going to disinvite already certified gamers. I see this really extra of a win for the PGA Tour. Augusta is basically saying it’s not their battle, however by not creating a brand new pathway for LIV golfers to qualify, it’s standing by the Tour. Now that would change, as you see within the subsequent query…

5. The statement additionally added that “any modifications or changes to invitation criteria for future Tournaments will be announced in April.” Does this imply extra adjustments may be on the horizon, or just an compulsory assertion stamped to the top of a press launch? 

Sens: There might be extra to return on this. See above on the OWGR.

Barath: It wouldn’t shock me to see Augusta National fully ignore LIV Golf and its roster of gamers as an entire transferring ahead, however on the flip facet — I may additionally see them devise their very own inside rating system to fill the sector and provide some form of high LIV exemption. It actually is a whole wildcard at this level and I’m as curious as everybody else to see how this pans out sooner or later. Their energy on the planet of golf lies of their means to stay a totally separate entity and I don’t suppose have any intention of giving that up any time quickly.

Hirsh: This isn’t compulsory in any respect. It may find yourself that means nothing, but when Augusta pronounces any form of pathways for LIV golfers to earn Masters invitations, it might clearly be a large win for the Saudi-backed league. But it additionally might find yourself that means nothing.

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