Another week. Another nonsense. Why does LIV Golf make it so hard for us to take it seriously?

LIV Golf: Please take us seriously and give us world ranking points. 

Also LIV Golf: Oh by the way we’re changing the rules the day before the last week of the season so actually anyone can get relegated.   

If you didn’t know (or care), before LIV’s individual season wrapped up in Chicago last week, team captains were exempt from relegation from the league. Why? I’m not sure even they know. 

But with Bubba Watson the only team captain in the “Drop Zone” heading into the showdown at Bollingbrook, and Phil Mickelson, Martin Kaymer, and all three of the Majesticks skippers – Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson – all precariously positioned in the “Open Zone”, league officials announced the change of plan. 

The conspiracy theorist might suggest they saw an opportunity to get rid of some of the so-called old guard.    

But I’m not a conspiracy theorist – apart from the whole moon landing thing – so I’ll just go with the accepted line that they wanted to create a bit of drama, force a bit of intrigue, drum up a bit of interest.  

Maybe it was just that it was up against the Irish Open at Royal County Down. Maybe it was just that it was up against another pulsating Solheim Cup. Maybe none of that would have made a difference because of the position LIV has found itself in. But it didn’t work – no matter how hard those who claim not to be on the Saudi payroll celebrate on social media about something they would pan the PGA Tour for doing.

Instead, it was the next case of two steps back and another eyeroll at the making-it-up-as-they-go-along reputation with which LIV Golf is now besmirched. 

The last-minute rule change now means we have the ludicrous situation where the RangeGoats GC board will have to make a business case on whether or not team captain Bubba Watson will stay on next year.  

(Now read that paragraph back and imagine I’m saying some of the words while performing air quotes and an exaggerated wink. I’ll let you decide which.) 

The de facto head of that board and the only RangeGoat with a stake in the team? Bubba Watson.     

The only RangeGoat you can name without thinking about it? Bubba Watson. 

“I think my teammates want me back and I’d like to be back,” Watson said after finishing 53rd in the standings. “I know some discussions need to take place and there’s some business considerations. We have one of the most popular teams. Am I part of that? I think I am and I’m committed to playing better.” 

It’s like that scene in The Office where David Brent begs to not be made redundant. Except Brent knew the rules all along.

How can we take LIV Golf seriously if LIV Golf can’t take itself seriously?

Still…

Lots of money to be played for this week.

Solheim showdown

Do I think Suzann Pettersen was a bad Solheim Cup captain? No.

Do I think she should have benched Leona Maguire for three sessions? No.

Do I think Maguire should have reacted by taking pop shots on social media? No.

Do I think I absolutely love the drama. Oh absolutely.

Tipping point

The chaotic – and in some cases heart-breaking – scenes as people lined to get into Robert Trent Jones Golf Club on the opening morning were just another example of fans getting shafted by poor organisation, or to save a bit of cash, or by both. I can’t imagine many corporate guests were treated this way.

And it’s not only golf that is guilty of this.

When are sports organisations going to realise that without fans they are nothing?

Breath of fresh air

While we’re on the Solheim Cup – does anyone know if Charley Hull smokes? Can’t see anything about it.

Bowled over

Legendary cricketer-turned-golf pro am partner Kevin Pietersen has withdrawn his application to join the spectacular Sunningdale Golf Club before it could be blocked by existing members.

One of said members? Andrew Strauss. I’ll let you join these dots.

And finally…

I finish, as always, with a nod to the excellent work of my colleagues over the past few days.

Ben Parsons’ excellent piece on Jon Rahm and the Ryder Cup is well worth a few minutes of your time, while Jon Turnbull looks ahead to the next Solheim Cup and who might lead the team in the Netherlands.

And if you haven’t listened to this week’s episode of The bunkered Podcast, Michael McEwan and Bryce Ritchie have gone in two-footed on a number of topics. Is Tiger Woods done? You’ll have to listen to see what they have to say. There may also be curry chat.

As always, play well.

Alex Perry is the Associate Editor of bunkered. A journalist for more than 20 years, he has been a golf industry stalwart for the majority of his career and, in a five-year spell at ESPN, covered every sporting event you can think of. He completed his own Grand Slam at the 2023 Masters, having fallen in love with the sport at his hometown club of Okehampton and on the links of nearby Bude & North Cornwall.

Associate Editor