Adelaide is the only LIV event I have watched & it’s POTENTIALLY much better than traditional formats for the casual which is their target market
Shotgun starts have the entire field on the course at the same time so viewers will always get the chance to see their favourites plus there’s always golf being played.
All players are out there in the same conditions so there’s less luck in that regard
It’s also done & dusted within 5 hours while staggered starts can take 12 hours +
The graphics are terrible though and not only distracting but hard to work out while a lot of the commentary is over the top
I think you’re downplaying the quality of the field as they’re better than most regular tour events and will only improve.
Norman (whom I generally don’t have much time for) gave an interview during the event about its direction and made a lot of sense. Basically, average PGAT viewers are old, white Americans and they targeting everyone else & taking it global
I watched a couple of the first events out of curiosity through Youtube but couldn't get into it. The graphics as you say are terrible, whilst the team format is something that is hard to follow and frankly of little interest. The biggest issue I have though is that players have their money up front, there is nothing massive (other than more money) to gain from doing well in tournaments. There is no pressure of gaining that first win, keeping your card, making a cut, qualifying for play offs etc etc
I disagree about Shotgun starts making it easier to watch your favourites. Because everyone is on the course at the same time it's actually harder to see as many shots. I believe for those who actually attended the course (very few outside Aus), it meant the vast majority of groups went largely unfollowed.
The top golfer on LIV last year was Taylor Gooch - and you're telling me the fields are strong? What's also interesting is that he's been traded with Wolff to another team. Like what kind of trade is that? Just swapping the best for one of the worst, it's what happens when basically all the teams are owned by the same person.
I kind of get what Norman says on this occasion (and he generally talks drivel). Don't get me wrong, PGA Tour coverage is awful, especially at weekends when the big networks take over the broadcasting duties. There is undoubtedly a need for a change and I'm looking forward to watching the Mixed Pairs event this weekend as something different. But I just don't see the LIV format being the answer. The team stuff is ridiculous whilst a 54 hole shotgun is just not something that stands up.
It's sad to see Golf being pulled apart, and the roll back issue is something else that needs discussing too. But I suspect this is exactly what the Saudis want, and that's not something I can ever get behind.
