Colin Cowherd is joined by John Middlekauff to react to LIV Golf Chicago. They discuss whether Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson will return to LIV Golf.
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#philmickelson #brookskoepka #livgolf
Welcome to the official YouTube channel for the Colin Coward podcast. Go on, hit that subscribe button if you’re new so you don’t miss any of our great football content this season. The um let’s wrap it up with this. Um you and I had an interesting conversation driving home from the Liv tournament is that um like I I am always pro- entrepreneur. Like when Dana White took a UFC fight during COVID to an island. I’ve always been pro Dana White. There was a lot of critics of UFC for a long time until Dana got momentum. And there’s still critics because his relationship with Trump, whatever. Dana is an entrepreneur and he has push back on the media. He doesn’t give a I will always defend commissioners and entrepreneurs who take swings. And I that’s what I said. I mean, the PGA, what am I loyal to? It was a charity. They didn’t run Augusta. They didn’t run the British Open. and run the US Open. So, I I was always loyal to the golfer. But you brought up a really interesting point this weekend and and and I briefly briefly just said hi to Brooks Kepka and and watched them tee off in the first he walked over to you, Colin. No, he he’s Brooks is a sports fan. He knows what’s going on and and I’m a huge fan. In fact, I’m bummed out that he hasn’t played that well. Uh and I won’t share with you what he said because I said, “Man, you you look in really good shape.” that he made a funny joke and I’m not going to repeat it, but he’s an interesting one because Brooks Kepka, you and I talked about in this car. He he likes being on the PGA, but if somebody offers you what is 125 million, it’s generational. Like, golf’s hard. Golf’s a grind. Golf was a grind for Tiger when he was the best player in the world. I mean, he he melted down personally. It’s it’s a grind. It’s you don’t have a you don’t have a GM or a coach. You can’t have an off week. I mean, it’s like being a lawyer. You don’t get paid if you’re not on the if you’re not on the course. Tiger did, but through, you know, Nike and others. But the point being is you would mention to me is that, okay, now these guys got paid and when those contracts are up for a Phil or a Brooks Kepka, well, it’s very doubtful they’re going to get another massive payday. Brooks I think Phil has so much animosity toward and he’s going to play you know he got the Masters because he’s won the Masters so you get a lifetime exception for that right so what where is do you think somebody do you think any of these guys will go back because you only the live you play three rounds not four so a lot of these guys unless it’s a major and they have an exemption they’re not they can’t play back on the tour right so what happens for some of these guys if they don’t get a second big bag of money. I love golf and I’ve been I mean I our experience was really cool and meeting Scott O’Neal that had nothing to do with this. I mean, he was just hired to replace Greg Norman six months ago, but what Greg and Jay Monahan felt like a personal fight. It’s like they, you know, Greg Norman had a vanetta. He got the people with the somehow with the most money in the world to finance that vandetta and went on the attack and the PGA tour like a lot of country clubs would they fought back on any ideas and change and it created this and it made all these guys wealthy PJ tour players I mean Scotty Sheffer just finished second I think he’ll get $1.5 million I mean these guys were making back in the day when Tiger first hit it big I don’t think there were many tournaments that paid a million to win so I mean the money flowing on the PJ DJ tour and obviously on live is massive. All these guys have netjet t towels, right? Not not Tiger Woods and Scotty Sheffler. Like the 75th guy isn’t checking into United with me flying home to Arizona. But I I do think talking to Scott O’Neal, you know, the the live now is run by a guy that has an NBA background. The PJ tour is now run by a guy personally picked by Tiger that worked with Roger Goodell. You know what those guys care about? Business. And the tour. Or do you know who’s benefited the most of this separation? Not Liv or the PGA Tour in in the sense of like their businesses because the PJ tour is still fighting like Wells Fargo and they they’ve had sponsors back out. Yep. And it’s the majors because that’s when you get to see Bryson, Rory, Brooks, AJ, Scotty all together and these guys know that. [Music]
39 Comments
Golf barely had enough eyeballs with one tour, there wasn’t a need for two.
I’m mad at the Liv Tour for inspiring a bad Happy Gilmore 2.
Didn't really answer the question of Brooks coming back to PGA Tour, but he is the GM of his golf team and I think Scott O'Neal will give him a good enough deal, since he has won the PGA Championship & several LIV tournaments since joining. Probably the same with Bryson since he has won LIV events & the US Open since joining.
With the first contracts for the bigger players, it's a complicated formula and process according to Bubba Watson in an interview. There are factors including major wins, tournament wins, health, age, etc. For these next contracts, they'll take those into account again, but more weight will be put toward "what have you done lately since joining", so obviously Brooks & Bryson will get better deals since they've won LIV events and even majors. Joaco and Rahm will also probably get good deals as well down the road since they've won LIV events and finished well in the standings.
For some players, they'll get a lessor deal, especially if they haven't done much in the league and just getting by. Phil though will finish out his current deal and then get a shorter and less lucrative contract next time. Same thing with DJ, who's on the record saying that he has about 6 more years left, essentially he'll finish this contract, get another 5 year deal, then go fishing.
Liv is a joke
liv is the only home for Phil. Brookes is a whole other story. Stay tuned…..
if they are offered a guaranteed contract they will take it
Thanks for not answering the question
Tyrell Hatton appears to play both LIV golf and European tour events. I followed him last year at The Belfry playing the Betfred British Masters. He clearly enjoys having both.
When the golfers tried to tell you it was to grow the game they were full of crap. It was a money grab and for the lesser known guys like Harold Varner, Pat Perez or Kevin Na it makes sense and for aging star like Phil. Then to whine knowing before hand they wouldn’t get world ranking points was BS knowing you are playing the majority of lower level courses slope wise, and only playing 3 rounds compared to 4 and no cuts.
I do hope what does come of it is:
Can wear shorts (stupid rule)
Play more worldwide without impacting DP tour
Less required tournaments
We talked about this on our podcast — Hudson Swafford was on LIV, is no longer there, and is currently serving a five-year suspension from the PGA Tour for joining LIV. With many contracts expiring in 2026, I can’t imagine players wanting to return if it means sitting out for five years. But if LIV doesn’t want them back, they might have no choice.
Now, will that same suspension length be given to someone like Brooks? Maybe, maybe not. If it’s not, Hudson should appeal — otherwise, there’s going to be a problem with inconsistent suspension lengths being handed out based on name recognition.
The longer the separation goes the less value the stock of the players goes down…they aint mutual funds. PGA creates stars LIV poaches them.
Only reason Bryson has a 3 year reup in value is the US Open but once Mr. Swingsoutofhisshoes gets hurt…..he is in the same boat Rahm and Koepka once were and now are. Old stock like DJ.
LIV will become like the other MBS abandoned project "The Line"….consultants make their millions and nothing long term gets built.
LEAVE THEM THERE DO NOT LET THEM BACK INTO PGA
Couldn't Give A S—! Blood $$ is Tainted $$, & They have Bathed in the Taint.
You know nothing about golf … when Fox had golf a few years ago … you talked nothing about it now that Fox signed a stupid deal with LIV … everyone sees you’re getting pressure to bail this crappy investment pay off … kinda sport washing like PIF … stop please!
Always about the money. Most LIV players can’t compete on PGA that’s why some took the blood money.
LIV golf is so much better to watch than pga honestly.
I used to watch the PGA Tour regularly now I only watch the majors. Can’t get into Liv either.
I won’t watch LIV and I won’t watch the PGA if they merge with LIV, fortunately, it looks like the merger won’t happen.
Until LIV gets rid of its "different to be different" shotgun start format, it will always have terrible TV ratings. Perhaps the Saudis do not care about traditional TV ratings, but players like Brooks and his sponsors DO care!
In most all sports there's a term called, aging out. And Koepka, Johnson, (especially) Michelson are in that group. There's also something called, out of sight, out of mind that drones on the more the LIV tour lacks visibility. Lots of exciting new players have hit the tour getting their names into top of mind awareness. I still think the crowds that LIV attracts are not what the tour attracts. The loud music, casual attire and party atmosphere seems more club golf format as well as shotgun starts and team play. It might be a form of entertainment but is it advancing the game of golf?
4 minutes of blather
😂Colin is a Sale out LIV Sucks
Went to two LIV tourneys. Had a blast both times.
PGA leadership is a huge problem. Won’t watch a PGA tournament. Leaders are scum look them up they have done bad things to kids.
Koepka went to Liv for the guaranteed money because of his injury. He wasnt sure about the future of his career.
Could Colin possibly have started any more thoughts and sentences? Good gosh man finish a thought and let your brain move faster than your mouth.
They’re suspended, they have no choice to stay on the varsity tour.
LIV is flat out unwatchable!
PGA is good for Majors now. I can only watch those and the Ryder Cup now. I admit, I don’t watch much of LIV either. The way the PGA players handled the whole thing turned me completely off. PGA guys owe a lot to the LIV guys and will never admit it. They can grab some wood.
koepka has pga exemption only liv contract keeping him off the tour may be taking a cut but will be on liv next year
Colin still does not know the difference between the PGA and the PGA TOUR
PGA does not want anything to do with Micky. Krapka is a traitor blood money guy who can't play anymore. PGA has Scotty and needs no one back.
The ONLY time I take any interest at all in any LIV player is when they are competing in a PGA or golf major event, and of course the Ryder Cup. I probably have never watched five total minutes of LIV golf on tv. But that’s just me and how I feel about it. And it’s looking more and more to me like a merger will not happen.
No one cares, all those who went liv are mostly forgotten. Scottie scheffler is all the pga needs. So many new and young guys also.
LIV golf is good. Not great, but much better than the PGA. I think Players are better on LIV – PGA has just two good players.
Who cares.
They should bring back Greg Norman as CEO
Liv Golf is garbage. No one cares if the aces beat the faces.