The LIV Tour – probably the most controversial touring circus in sporting historical past – will quickly be on Australian shores, however will or not it’s good for Australian golf?
the details:
- The LIV Tour can be coming to Adelaide for an occasion in April
- Australian golf legend Carrie Webb is puzzled over whether or not the controversial Tour can be good for the game on this nation
- Whereas it should increase the game’s profile, Webb is anxious in regards to the origin of the Tour’s funding and the dearth of alternatives it should present younger Australian golfers.
The Saudi-backed breakaway golf league will descend on Adelaide in April for the third occasion of the inaugural LIV Golf League, the place 48 of the world’s greatest gamers will battle it out for a staggering $20 million prize.
LIV, by which Australian legend Greg Norman serves as CEO, has ignited heated controversy since its launch. Australian golf legend Carrie Webb has been divided over whether or not she can be good for the game on this nation.
“I feel it could be good to have golf in Australia in April when it is not, and that places golf within the headlines,” Webb advised ABC Grandstand.
“As soon as the summer season of golf is over right here, the one headlines are whether or not the Aussie does nicely abroad.
“It is good that Adelaide has such an enormous occasion, I cherished it once we performed there on the Australian Open all these years – the South Australian followers had been an enormous assist, so it is nice for them and nice to have one of the best Australian gamers again.
“However when it comes to giving alternatives to different younger Australians to play, it would not. The 48 gamers journey world wide and play collectively they usually do not present any alternatives aside from [for] These 48.
“For those who have a look at it pretty much as good for golf, what avenues are good for golf? Some are good and a few aren’t. You’ll be able to select it nevertheless you need.”
Webb mentioned her primary level of rivalry with the LIV idea was how the dizzying contracts supplied to the world’s high gamers for defecting from the PGA Tour strengthened the worst aspect of {golfing} stereotypes.
And whereas there are facets of the brand new tour that might assist appeal to a brand new fan base to the game Webb loves, the 48-year-old is uncomfortable with the way in which the Saudi Arabia-backed tour has been funded.
“The messages from the LIV tour aren’t what I wish to see about golf. Leaping from probably the most profitable spherical and going to a different spherical to get extra money, that is the stigma of golf we’re making an attempt to eliminate — it is a wealthy man’s sport,” Webb mentioned. These messages aren’t one of the best.”
“However there are issues in regards to the LIV Tour that I feel are compelling. The workforce facet is compelling and may create new, youthful followers.
“On the finish of the day, I am not towards new competitors in golf or new excursions, it is simply the way in which it is being dealt with and, for me, fairly frankly the way in which it is being funded.
“The best way you are funded is the largest hurdle for me.”
Creating the game in Australia is one thing near Webb’s coronary heart and he or she believes the crop of incoming feminine golfers is among the many strongest the nation has ever produced.
With celebrity Minjee Lee capturing one other main championship final 12 months and the likes of Hannah Inexperienced, Grace Kim and Steve Kiriakou shining vibrant, the longer term seems brighter than ever.
Webb mentioned, “She (Mingie Lee) had an excellent 12 months final 12 months and actually got here into her personal. I am manner forward of her this 12 months, she’s constructing a very nice profession, so I will be in search of her to play nicely.” .
“I used to be in search of Hannah Inexperienced to interrupt into the winners circle, aside from not successful the LGPA, that was the one factor she did not do, it was her most constant 12 months.
“We now have Steve Kiriakou, she performed rather well in her rookie 12 months and it took her a few months to settle in however as soon as she performed rather well.
“Gracie Kim, she’s a expertise and a star within the making, I feel she’s going to have slightly little bit of early LGPA nerves early within the 12 months, as she will get into this vital time.
“However she’s prepared, she simply has to assume she’s able to take the subsequent step and as soon as she thinks the sky is the restrict for her.”
Webb will take to the course herself at subsequent month’s Victorian Open as she returns to the occasion for the primary time since 2020.