LIV Golf had an eventful week with Brooks Koepka securing his first title of the year in Singapore. Greg Norman, the CEO of the Saudi-funded league, expressed confidence in LIV's future during an interview with Bloomberg. Norman revealed that Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund backing LIV, assured him of the league's longevity well beyond his lifetime.
Norman also proposed the idea of LIV acquiring golf courses as team venues, akin to team sports. He defended viewership numbers, stating that modern audiences engage with content differently, emphasizing the league's appeal to a tech-savvy and affluent market.
Phil Mickelson weighed in on LIV players' participation in majors, hinting at potential repercussions for sponsors and broadcasters. Subsequently, Talor Gooch and David Puig accepted invitations to the PGA Championship.
On a positive note, LIV appointed Adam Harter, a seasoned Pepsi executive, as its new chief marketing officer, reinforcing the league's organizational structure.
Meanwhile, the LPGA Tour benefited from a streaming deal with ESPN+ for eight tournaments, including the Cognizant Founders Cup. The upcoming tournament holds significance as Nelly Korda aims to set a record with six consecutive victories, a feat achieved by legends Nancy Lopez and Annika Sorenstam.
Notable absences at the Wells Fargo Championship include Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and Ludvig Aberg due to personal reasons and a knee issue, respectively. The TGL league, spearheaded by former NBA stars and golfers, is set to launch in Florida, featuring Ludvig Aberg, Shane Lowry, Min Woo Lee, and Wyndham Clark.
Webb Simpson's strategic tournament entries, aided by sponsor exemptions, have proven beneficial despite modest results. Simpson's performance in signature events has notably boosted his earnings and FedEx Cup points.
In other golf news, young amateur Ashley Shaw made her LPGA debut, and the Aon Swing Five reshuffled rankings for the Wells Fargo Championship qualifiers. The Women's Scottish Open returns to Dundonald Links, and Aaron Rai secured a spot at Valhalla with an impressive finish at the Byron Nelson.
Noteworthy is Taylor Pendrith's rise in the world rankings after winning a PGA Tour event, becoming the fifth player outside the top 100 to achieve this feat in 2022.
Jason Day, reflecting on fatherhood, highlighted the joys and challenges of parenting, emphasizing the unique experiences it brings.
