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"...look at the guys who left" — Scottie

+Will we (finally) get a solid tourney at The Players?

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Easy P. Gator
March 14, 2024

GM. This is Easy Pars. The golf newsletter that would love to be at Sawgrass on this beautiful March morning!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today:

  • The Players is here, but many of the best players aren’t there.

  • Scottie says, “…look at the guys that left”

  • Everyone is tired of politics in golf, right?

Can we get a good tournament at The Players?

Every year, here at Easy Pars, we get excited about the big tournaments. And not just the majors.

We’ve got the People’s Open (aka The Phoenix Open), The Genesis Invitational, and The Players, of course.

These are all great tourneys that happen before the drive down Magnolia lane (We mean The Masters, if you don’t know the reference, the first major tournament of the year).

Unfortunately, all of the pre-majors (up til now) have been tainted.

  • Phoenix was closer to movies like “Idiocracy” or “The Purge” than golf.

  • The Genesis Invitational was more like “Contagion” with so many in the field getting ill.

Next up is The Players.

TPC Sawgrass looks as magnificent as ever.

But, many are pointing out the obvious — a lot of players aren’t at Players. (And this is where Scottie got a bit testy.

Scottie points to defectors

A look at Scottie’s swing, from X user @PGATUOR:

Last week, we pointed out Scottie Scheffler’s comments about missing several guys who went to LIV.

This week, during a press conference, Scheffler was asked about fans not getting to see all the best compete.

In his strongest words on defectors, Scottie said,

“If the fans are upset, then look at the guys that left,” Scheffler said. “We had a Tour, we were all together, and the people that left are no longer here. At the end of the day, that’s where the splintering comes from.”

Scottie when asked the question was like:

Sad times, really. And all of this points to our 3rd feature story.

Golf politics and golf fans don’t mix well

Golf has always (likely) had politicking and people vying for power, position, and title.

The PGA is a big organization with lots of money and shifting talent.

However, for the most part, the things (probably) going on BTS (behind the scenes) haven’t spilled into the public eye.

Unfortunately for us fans, the PIF (those who fund/control LIV Golf) made things very public.

Court documents, intrique, scandal, defection.

These are juicy stories that news outlets can’t ignore (nor do they want to). But here’s something we’ve recently found out about us golf enthusiasts — we hate this drama.

Every day, there’s some new deal, some player leaving.

Meanwhile, most of the watching golf community collectively and intensely sighs, “Can’t we just watch these guys and gals play golf.”

Anyway, here’s a good article talking about this collective annoyance, from Golf.com.

Exhausted by pro golf’s politicking and power grabs? You’re not alone

At the PGA Tour's flagship event this week, one thing has become clear: fans and players alike are ready to get past pro golf's turmoil.

golf.com/news/exhausted-by-pro-golf-politicking-power

Here’s hoping for The Masters.

A large percentage of LIV golfers are in The Masters. Almost beyond argument is that nearly ALL of the best in the world will be in Augusta.

Last year, LIV shocked the field taking up a lot of top 10 spots and nearly winning it. Plus, they later took last year’s winner!

Will we see more drama? Probably.

Will we see a fire in the belly of the best, once again competing against their toughest competitors?

You betcha. And we’re here for it.

Meme of the Day

😂😂

That’s it for today, golf fan. Enjoy watching The Players, if you’re planning on it.

Tee times really heat up between 1pm until 2:30pm. We’ll be back Monday with highlights and a closer look at all the shenanigans between now and then.

Later gator.

E.