“The LIV atmosphere was as good as it gets – the Ryder Cup can’t be any better. I haven’t played a Ryder Cup or Presidents Cup, but I can’t imagine there’s a whole hell of a lot of difference.”

Those were the infamous words from Talor Gooch at LIV Portland 2022 and he was rightly slated by fellow players and golf fans for making what was considered an astonishing claim about the biennial contest.

This week I am covering my first LIV Golf event in JCB Golf and Country Club and having perched myself in the wrong place on Friday, I decided to get down early to the first tee to see what all the fuss was about.

Bear in mind Talor, I have been to a Ryder Cup and have been on the first tee. So, unlike you, I know what I am talking about.

In comparison, the first tee at LIV Golf UK is cute, but is nothing compared to the behemoth of a Ryder Cup cauldron.

First up are Lee Westwood, Bubba Watson and Carlos Ortiz, Bubba is worth watching whatever the scenario.

Kudos to LIV Golf, Empire Of The Sun – We Are The People was a great song choice, it created a nice feeling around the first tee as the crowd began to funnel from the driving range to the main event.

(Upon a second look at the driving range. The packed gallery outside the ropes, the music and all the players on the practice tees together really does create an exhibition. It works.)

The grandstand which surrounds two thirds of the first tee is small and is specifically for ‘Grounds Plus’ holders. There is a section below the stand just for children who want to get autographs from their heroes which is nice touch.

One thing LIV have done well here is they are very accommodating to children. This designated area for kids adds to the multiple “kids autograph” zones scattered around the practice areas.

LIV’s mantra is golf but louder but I’m not sure it blends with the traditionally “knowledgable” UK crowd. The atmosphere doesn’t get louder or more intense and home hero Westwood receives a nice cheer as he approaches the tee, but it is ironically drowned out by thumping music.

Every few minutes the first tee presenter tries to jee up the crowd by constantly reminding us that we have a shotgun start.

Then LIV Golf goes full Wrestlemania with the deafening countdown, shotgun, the fireworks. Far from a Ryder Cup if the crowd doesn’t give a raucous response.

The beautiful thing about the Ryder Cup is that the atmosphere is organic. The Anfield of golf. The first tee is very much the Manchester City – and that’s without getting into the issues of state owned sport.

Ryder Cup fans don’t need any prompts to start singing, there was just something forced about the LIV UK first tee.

Walking along the 14th hole yesterday, known as the Party Hole, I did get a little buzz through my body. It one hundred percent works. It was quite the scene.

The first tee does not have the same effect. The grandstand is far too small for this crescendo of chaos they are trying to create. LIV’s festival atmosphere doesn’t carry to this part of the golf course.

The thumping music continues as Ortiz is announced on the tee in a style crossing between a Spanish commentator and a Royal Rumble WWE announcer.

I was fully expecting John Cena to come bursting in with a Money in the Bank where he gets to start on -18 and it’s up to the rest of the field to catch him.

I can see what LIV are trying to do but the infrastructure around the tee was just too small. Again, this is my first LIV event so perhaps it wasn’t feasible to create a bigger grandstand, but for a crowd of a few hundred it was just too loud.

Add to that the double whammy of the cloud of smoke from the shotgun fireworks that blocked the view of the first fairway as Ortiz was about to strike.

It made me miss the League of Ireland and the wonderful colour and smell of pyro.

Right, I’m off to enjoy the party hole.

 

Write A Comment