70sSanO

Sorry, I wasn’t inferring LIV was dumping Koepka. My point is that LIV can’t force Brooks to be the poster child for their tour, or anything else Brooks doesn’t want to do. They have no recourse, if he hangs onto his slimmer lead and wins. Brooks is tied to LIV until after 2025, but he will be talking out of both sides of his mouth. He will probably placate the PGA so he “might” have one more option in 2026. John

I agree, but Koepka has a great chance of winning. If he does, I doubt he says anything about LIV. But Norman will. Brooks is about Brooks. Being the only LIV player to win a major will allow him to play whatever sides he wants, when he wants. It’s not like LIV will dump the Masters champ he won as a LIV player. John

And for anyone thinking that this will only impact “elite” golfers, the only issue will be finding a mfg that will produce the highest quality non-conforming golf balls for non-competition events. At my age and game it doesn’t impact me. But for those young bucks out there, there will be a change as it eventually trickles down to local rules. John

I say let ‘em score. Fans, especially casual ones, love to see scoring. Big risk and bigger reward for length is a lot more fun to watch. John

Well Jack will be disappointed. So close to checking off the last thing on his bucket list. John

I’m not going argue, but pre-Tiger golf here we come. It won’t be that bad, since todays players actually know what a gym is. John

Because if swing speed is the problem then work the problem, not an if/then. John

I haven't read all of the posts, so I apologize if this has already been posted. If I understand correctly, the premise of the USGA and R&A rule change is based on swing speeds. If that is correct, then don't change the ball, reduce swing speeds. With the technology today, it is so easy to monitor a swing speed. If there is a maximum swing speed for elite (whatever the definition of elite turns out to be), then add weight, adjustable fins, scoops, or ???, to slow down the speed of a driver. Those more familiar with impact of aerodynamics/weight can chime in if this is a doable. Maybe set a max swing speed with a + tolerance, based on technology reading error range. An example would be 125mph max swing speed with +2mph tolerance. "Maybe" allow a single swing exceeding the total allowable speed per round for a time when the golfer wants to really let it go. John

While it was the Champions Tour, this is probably more typical of the interest in "non-major" golf. Neither LIV nor the PGA can change it. A 20 year old Tiger could/did, but there are no names big enough anymore. https://www.golfdigest.com/story/justin-thomas-tiger-woods-phone-call-fred-couples John

No oil no golf? John

I can talk hockey more than football or baseball. The off-season is an excruciating time, but most fan base “sites” are engaged from the draft through world juniors, rookie camp and pre-season. There can be more buzz before a season starts than in the waning weeks of another wait til next year season. This is not, nor will it ever be a fan base site; neither will any other individual (non-location team) sport website be. So it will never have the same buzz. I can’t speak for others, but as the LIV saga has raged on, I’ve found there are a precious few players I would really miss watching if they left. But I enjoy watching the sport. John

I absolutely agree with you that a lot of people watch and don’t post. That was quite an epic poor judgment meltdown. John

You are right about LIV. LIV doesn’t need viewership. I would think the PGA, like every other sport, sells broadcast rights that amount to a significant amount of revenue. My point was that even on a golf site like this, there isn’t much buzz about a number of tournaments. I realize this is not a team fan base site, but most team boards have page after page critiquing every play, and cheering or flaming players then coaches and mgmt, during a game. If most golf fans are watching the NFL, does it matter who goes or stays? John

This does speak volumes about how little interest there is in TV golf. Cantlay's 72nd hole and the decisions he made seemed right out of the amateur hour; regardless of his "playing for 2nd" statement. But there was basically no talk or discussion of the Shriner's or that debacle. The PGA and LIV depend on viewership and if that only means majors and the playoffs, neither one can be in a great position. I understand lacking star names, but if people would rather tune in to see Cooper Rush... John