LIV Golf trolls PGA Tour over ‘Elevated Events’ news

LIV Golf has taken a swipe at the PGA Tour following news of changes to its ‘Elevated Events’ in 2024. 

According to Golfweek, the US-based circuit’s Policy Board has approved plans that will see some of its ‘Elevated Events’ proceed with reduced fields and no cut from next season. 

It is understood that fields will be slashed to between 70 and 78 players but they will not apply to all of the ‘elevated events’, with the majors, The PLAYERS Championship and FedEx Cup Playoff events unaffected.   

Sound familiar? LIV Golf sure thinks so. 

The Saudi-funded organisation has faced criticism for its 48-player, no-cut events. It was, therefore, little surprise to see it hit back after news of the PGA Tour’s proposals started to circulate.  

A post on the LIV Golf League’s Twitter account read: “Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Congratulations PGA Tour. Welcome to the future.” 

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Congratulations PGA Tour. Welcome to the future.#LIVGolf

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) March 1, 2023

LIV Golf commissioner and CEO Greg Norman quote-tweeted the post with a speaker at high volume emoji. 

Lee Westwood, co-captain of one of LIV team Majesticks GC, wrote: “I’ve spent the last year reading how good full fields and cuts are!” 

He added:  

So.. Do away with the WGC’s. Load the OWGR in your favour. Create 10 limited field events for just PGA tour members(like WGC’s). Add to that 4 majors,Players,FedEx cup. That’s a full schedule for a top player. That’s growing the game😉. What Strategic Alliance?

— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) March 1, 2023

What positions are @SharkGregNorman & @PhilMickelson in the PIP???

— Lee Westwood (@WestwoodLee) March 1, 2023

Westwood’s Majesticks teammate Ian Poulter also chimed in: 

Oh my my my…. When will the penny drop with so many of what’s actually happened here. 🤷🏼‍♂️ It really doesn’t take a 🚀 👩🏼‍🔬 to work out. And sounds very similar to another product that’s been spoken so badly about by Media and commentators. I’m all ears now 👂🏼 I’m waiting https://t.co/lxYg6B8goy

— Ian Poulter (@IanJamesPoulter) March 1, 2023

Two weeks ago, Rory McIlroy defended the proposed changes, insisting that nobody was trying to “screw” the bottom half of the PGA Tour.   

“The best players should be playing in [the “elevated events”] because ultimately the PGA Tour needs to be built around the best players,” said the world No.3. “That’s what will maximise the value of the product.  

• Faldo blasts Garcia over McIlroy remarks

• Pieters explains decision to join LIV Golf

“But that doesn’t mean that there’s not great storylines further down that list, which we’re all very cognizant of. I’ve had tons of conversations with guys that are worried about what events they’re going to play next year and all that.  

“If anything, we’re trying to lift [the bottom half] up. I hate calling it a product but if you have a product that this year’s forecast to do $2 billion in gross revenue, you’re trying to grow that product as much as possible.”

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor