How Does the LPGA Fend Off LIV?

[GolfGrouch]

The PGA Tour has been roundly criticized for not being proactive enough to prevent LIV Golf from encroaching on their turf.  Now that there are rumors of LIV planning to start a women's golf tour in the near future, what is the LPGA doing to fend them off?  If you were LPGA commissioner Mollie Marcoux Samaan, what would you do?

[8602081]

I just can't see that happening.. There is just not enough money in LPGA.

 

[tbowles411]

The LPGA is in a decent spot, but they're also not.  They're rarely shown live because they're not getting the eyes and support from anywhere else.  Could LIV help them?  The players maybe. Even if you double the prize money, they would still come out way ahead.  Like 860 said, there's not enough money to fend them off.  I don't think it would take much to sweep them up if they really wanted to do that.

[OnTheBag]

Similar to @tbowles411 I think a deep pocket organization similar to LIV might be a good thing for the LPGA.  I spent a lot of years inside the ropes of the LPGA and what is now the LET.  Purses are atrocious compared to the men's tours.  Those two tours, above all others, desperately need the cash injection if they have any chance of growing the game.

 

At issue are the cultural differences of where women stand in that society.  Not sure that can be overcome, but Aramco is already a major sponsor in Europe.

[tbowles411]

Just now, OnTheBag said:

Similar to @tbowles411 I think a deep pocket organization similar to LIV might be a good thing for the LPGA.  I spent a lot of years inside the ropes of the LPGA and what is now the LET.  Purses are atrocious compared to the men's tours.  Those two tours, above all others, desperately need the cash injection if they have any chance of growing the game.

 

At issue are the cultural differences of where women stand in that society.  Not sure that can be overcome, but Aramco is already a major sponsor in Europe.

Golf Saudi sponsors players also, on both tours.  And even sponsored Gary Player at one time.

[BCC1898]

This may be a controversial post, but there's not enough tradition, or quite frankly, interest in the LPGA to worry about this.  Probably the best thing that could happen to the Tour is a complete reset.  LIV could provide that.

[ThinkingPlus]

The LPGA would essentially cease to exist.  The LET as well.  The KLPGA and JLPGA might merge and hang on as relevant. Five or ten years down the road there might not be much if any women's professional golf in the US or Europe once the Saudis moved on to their next great idea.  My opinion.

[HMHS]

Honest answer is an: "I don't know, and/or, they most likely can't fend off LIV".    

 

Hell, I dunno, but there'll be more LPGA players moving than staying, in my opinion... and I certainly see why... Hint: it's definitely not to grow the game or to play less events 😆

[NJBigFish22]

If LIV did the same model with the ladies, the top 50 women would jump ship immediately.  If LIV wanted to get into ladies golf, I think it would be best to buy up every tour entity and truly make it a world tour.  Have the 5 majors and 3-5 more big ticket, big purse events. I don’t think the leash of not being profitable would be a lot shorter than with the men.  

[Medson]

LIV is not as controversial as we think for audience outside of the U.S. (of course, I'm not saying every person outside of the U.S. loves LIV). And PGA Tour is a predominantly U.S.-based tour. 

 

LPGA has more international flavor and is not as deep pocketed as PGA Tour. I see some collaboration between LPGA and LIV should LIV decides to offer women side of golf. 

[kmbean]

Bo is definitely getting Michelle out of retirement if the LIV money train comes calling.

[llewol007]

All I say is good luck. If the Saudis start buying LPGA players, I’m thinking all the top talent from Asia would probably switch over. Not as long a legacy builder in the LPGA as compared to the PGA. 

[OnTheBag]

2 hours ago, ThinkingPlus said:

 once the Saudis moved on to their next great idea.  My opinion.

Very valid point.

[memberguest]

Any update on the rumor that LIV is going to blend Mens and Ladies golf into giant field (but with the women player from closer tee boxes)?

[subrew]

My take is, the LPGA couldn't survive LIV putting together a full series of events, and signing up 20-30 top ranked players.  So, the answer is work together.  A big push with LIV is the team format, and the Aramco Team series is already a thing.  So work with LIV to come to an understanding to expand the Aramco into something like a 8-10 event series, sanctioned by the LPGA/LET.  Earn points for the Race to the CME Globe.  Let the ladies form teams, and have the fun team events.  Expand it more internationally with events in Asia and Australia and Europe.  

 

The downside would be the LPGA likely losing a handful of lesser events that already struggle to get good fields.  I.e. if the top ladies are going to start playing another 6+ Aramco/LIV team events, those weekends will need to open up.  So a low-level LPGA event with a paltry prize fund will get kicked to the curb.

 

But long term, kicking a handful of low-level events off the tour to make room for an expanded big prize team series is likely a lot better than losing 20+ top ranked players.  You could probably go look at the entries for the last two years of LPGA events, and see the ones the top players tend to skip.  

 

 

[subrew]

33 minutes ago, memberguest said:

Any update on the rumor that LIV is going to blend Mens and Ladies golf into giant field (but with the women player from closer tee boxes)?

 

I had not heard that.  I had read Greg Norman saying they were seriously discussing a ladies tour, that would include the big prize money.  And they already have the Aramco Team Series.  But had not heard about mixed events.

 

What I have heard recently is the Australian Open (in December) is a mixed event.  It was in the news since Cam Smith signed with LIV, and he is scheduled to play the Aussie Open.  140 male and 140 female players on the same courses on the same days.  I love that format and think it works great for a national event.

 

 

[lhahn]

I'm no Warren Buffet but if LIV's claims of wanting to (somehow) turn a profit eventually are true, how would overspending on a ladies tour be part of that business plan?

[GwrxMod]

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