The 5 Most Influential Names In Golf Right Now

2022 was perhaps the most disruptive year in men’s professional golf history. In the last 12 months, Tiger Woods returned to the course while Phil Mickelson was missing in action. Additionally, Greg Norman attempted to even his score with the PGA Tour, and Scottie Scheffler cemented his place as a legit star.

You must have heard of these notable names if you wager on golf events. Suppose you are on GamStop; no need to worry; you can find sports betting sites not on GamStop to wager on your favorite games. With that in mind, let’s look at the five most influential names in golf right now.

Jay Monahan

Monahan has served as PGA Tour’s fourth commissioner since 2017. He enjoyed a smooth reign before Mickelson’s controversial comments caused a firestorm in his tenure. Monahan suspended 17 PGA Tour members participating in the inaugural LIV Golf event. The notable names suspended include Sergio Garcia, Johnson, and Mickelson.

Mickelson and other LIV players’ lawsuit against the PGA tour did not move Monahan. Although Monahan might have acted prematurely when he stated that his tour would move on from LIV Golf at the Players in March but, his swift and decisive reaction helped persuade players to remain loyal to the PGA Tour.

Greg Norman

Greg Norman, a two-time Open Championship winner, also disrupted the state of men’s professional golf in the last 12 months. However, time will tell whether LIV Golf’s business model will thrive. Nonetheless, the PGA Tour has formidable competition from a rival circuit for the first time in over five years.

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund funds Norman’s League. It boasts 54 holes, four-man teams, and shotgun starts. It has proven what most fans already knew- money motivates most golfers!

Rory McIlroy

McIlroy registered three wins during the 2021-22 wrap-around season. He also won again at the CJ Cup held in South Carolina to become World number one. This is the ninth time he has been top of the rankings in his career.

Furthermore, McIlroy came really close to ending his eight-year wait for a major championship. He finished second in the Masters and eighth at the PGA Championship. Additionally, he finished fifth at the U.S. Open and third at The Open.

His most significant contribution came off the course when he became PGA Tour’s most loyal supporter during the battle with LIV Golf. In a meeting held before the BMW Championship in August, Woods and McIlroy rallied other players to remain loyal to the PGA Tour. This move sparked critical changes.

Tiger Woods

Woods, a 15-time major champion, started the season slowly as he was recovering from a severe injury he suffered in a car wreck. But, when reports emerged in March that he was playing a practice round with his son, Charlie and Justin Thomas, his friend, the entire sporting fraternity celebrated.

Woods participated in the tournament he adores as thousands of patrons watched on. He finished 47th which was his best finish in three starts in majors. The five-time Masters champion pulled out of the PGA Championship after 54 holes before missing the cut at the 150th edition of the Open Championship.

Phil Mickelson

Mickelson, a six-time major champion, restarted his career with an eye-catching victory at the 2021 PGA Championship held at Kiawah Island. He won it aged 50 making his the oldest major champion in history.

However, the tables turned quickly for Mickelson after his remarks about the PGA Tour and the Saudi monarchy. He faced immediate backlash for his comments which hindered the start of the LIV Golf circuit.