Lexi Thompson finally won her 14th professional title by proving three strokes too good for Brooke Henderson, Nelly Korda and company at Trumps Golf Links in Ferry Port last weekend.
After finishing second in seven events since last winning the 2019 ShopRite Classic, and blowing more than one chance to add to his major victory in 2014, his victory in the Aramco Team Series Individual Section was met with a touch of cynicism, especially after his comments last week.
LIV President Greg Norman continued to comment positively on the possibility of a LIV Womens series, only slightly denied by LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan when asked in July about rumors of a link to the organization. sponsored by Saudi Arabia.
Samaan confirmed that:
“It is my responsibility to assess every opportunity. I would strike up a conversation if it would achieve our goal of promoting women’s golf, but players and sponsors need to be involved. There are many factors to consider before doing business with LIV Golf.
Although the Aramco Series is not officially part of the LPGA season, there has been a recent link between the LPGA and the Ladies European Tour, greatly enhancing the latter’s status and prize money – no wonder Lexi, Nelly et al arrived last weekend.
Before LIV staged its first event, there was, understandably, a lot of disagreement about playing a tour backed by a regime with a poor human rights record, especially against women, and Thompson’s comments at last week’s press conference were met with a reprimand from Golf Channel’s Eamon Lynch.
In front of reporters, Thompson, an 11-time LPGA Tour winner, spoke out in support of Aramco, a company with close ties to the Saudi regime.
“I would say that without the support of Aramco, LET would not be as strong as it is today.
And I think they’re growing the game of golf in women’s golf, and I think if you talk to any of the players on the Ladies European Tour, they’re extremely grateful for the opportunity, and I think that’s what what Aramco is trying to do. They are trying to develop the women’s game and I fully support them. »
About a women’s series speech, Nelly Korda and Thompson spoke in much the same way, with Korda saying:
“I mean, right now it’s kind of speculation. As a player, I really don’t know and it’s out of my hands. This is for the Tour Commissioner,”
Thompson agreed:
“Yeah exactly. I mean the talks are out there that it could happen but haven’t been brought to us. We’re just doing what we can and that’s playing the LPGA and there’s not a whole lot We’re just developing the game. There’s not much else we can do.
However, Lynch has none of that, calling Thompson’s comments “unpleasant”.
Continuing, Lynch commented, “There’s a certain element of controversy in that and you can make a nuanced argument that there’s a difference between sponsorship and tour ownership, but that argument only gets you so far.
“It’s still…it’s sporty soft wash by any other name, what the Aramco Team Series does. And it’s easy prey because the Ladies European Tour is running on steam.
Next Charley Hull’s comments after her victory at the Volunteers of America Classic, there seems to be momentum behind some of LIV’s investments in the women’s game, and Lynch is not a fan.
“So it’s easy to spend money and get attention, but they got the attention of a lot of top players on the LPGA Tour this week,” he said. “The LPGA Tour was off [and] many players showed up and it is not uncommon to see fees paid to the best players of the Ladies European Tour.
“Whether any were paid this week has not been disclosed. What struck me were Lexi’s comments afterwards, where she said, about the sponsors, what they do is “amazing” and they “give opportunities to girls”, they “grow the game” and we are “very grateful”, which to me seems a little distasteful to talk about when you talk about a regime with a record of Saudi Arabia and its state-owned oil company sponsoring the ‘event.
He added: “All it does is prove, I think, if there is ever some sort of alignment between Golf Saudi or LIV Golf and the LPGA Tour, if that threat arises, whoever expects seeing more evidence of a moral compass on the LPGA Tour is probably going to be disappointing.
Talk about a #LIVGolf the women’s league continues to progress. pic.twitter.com/hHR7SOKVTr
— Latest from LIV Golf (@LIVGolfLatest) October 18, 2022
Over the 19th hole
- AS4
- LEGIT1
- WOW2
- LOL3
- IDHT3
- FIASCO3
- OB3
- HOCK12
#Bitter #feud #McIlroy #Greg #Norman #continues #Rory #reveals #goal