Golf’s merger is currently the frailest of peaces.
Bosses of the various tours can talk all they like about having finally brought all sides on the LIV Golf debate together to broker a bright new future for the game.
But just days out from the start of the latest major, the US Open, in Los Angeles, the world No1 Scottie Scheffler admitted he didn’t have a clue what this new-found peace between the former squabbling parties means.
The world No2 Jon Rahm spoke of a feeling of betrayal among those who stayed loyal to the PGA and DP World Tours – in his case turning down an estimated $200million to jump ship to LIV.
And amid it all, Brooks Koepka said he was loving the chaos of it all. While so many others were losing their heads amid it, the American said the more chaotic the better.
On the evidence of his golf right now, it’s hard to disagree. He has been plying his trade away from the spotlight on the LIV Tour and has made just two golfing appearances of note. In the first, the Masters, he probably should have won but had to make do with being runner-up. In the second, the US PGA Championship, he did win.
Amid all the mergers, it was perhaps apt that LIV’s current No1 was paired with the series’ most outspoken critic in Rory McIlroy, but the two have a good relationship and, for his part, Koepka has mostly kept his counsel on the whole debate.
Sustaining such a high level of golf is hard to achieve – one only has to look at Koepka’s struggles not so long ago, which surely played a part in his LIV defection decision, to see that.
But with five major titles already to his name, the 33-year-old is looking well beyond just victory this week.
“Double digits, that’s what I’m trying to get to,” he said. “I don’t think it’s out of the question. I think the way I’ve prepared, the way I’ve kind of suited my game for these things is going to help me.
“That’s what you’re judged on. It’s major championships. I’m only 33 so I’ve definitely got quite a bit of time. The more chaotic things get, the easier it gets for me.”
When they tee off tomorrow, McIlroy could perhaps look enviously at his playing partner. But instead Koepka’s fifth major – with the Northern Irishman stuck on four – could act as the final motivator he needs to end his nine-year barren spell without winning one of golf’s big four.
Added to that is the fact he is done with fighting for the PGA and DP World Tours and insisted he is now fully focused on his game and his game alone.
The North Course at Los Angeles Country Club is not necessarily a perfect McIlroy course but, with 23 PGA Tour victories to his name, he will believe he can win anywhere.
There are no shortage of other suitors to replace Matt Fitzpatrick as US Open champion, even though the Englishman has shown good form since the US PGA.
Scheffler hasn’t had a dud week in recent memory, McIlroy-esque in his ability to churn out top 10s week after week. Rahm, who intriguingly was practising with another LIV rebel on Tuesday in Sergio Garcia, has not recaptured the sort of form that won him a first Masters Green Jacket back in April.
But, like McIlroy, he is done with golf’s civil war, telling his wife Kelley to throw away his phone last week as it buzzed out of control with messages in the wake of the seismic news. He simply talked about how many players, one assumes himself included, felt “a bit of betrayal from management”.
As ever, the LIV conversation has acted as a precursor to yet another major. Civil wars and brokered peaces will long be forgotten come tomorrow’s start.
