Bubba Watson defends LIV Golf team name as fans RIP the RangeGoats

Bubba Watson has explained the reason behind changing the name of his LIV Golf League side from the Niblicks to the RangeGoats.

Ben Smith

08 Feb 2023

Bubba Watson defends LIV Golf team name as fans RIP the RangeGoats

Bubba Watson broke the big LIV Golf League news.

No, it wasn't that the breakaway tour had finally received world raking points. Or signed Rory McIlroy. Or won their anit-trust lawsuit.

Nor was it that PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and his adversary Greg Norman had dropped their weapons and warmly embraced each other.

We are talking about team names. Specifically, the confirmation that Watson had changed the name of his side from Niblicks to the RangeGoats.

In case you a wondering, its spelled as one word.

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Watson wasn't the only team captain to decide on a re-brand. Cameron Smith, skipper of the all-Australian side, revealed that Punch GC is no more.

Smith confirmed his team will be called Ripper GC.

Welcome to #RIPPERGC #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/EZAeh2IRfJ
— Ripper GC (@rippergc_) February 7, 2023

The team name was swiftly discussed by Golf Twitter. Earlier this week, the social media backlash forced St Andrews to dig up the "DIY patio" by the Swilcan Bridge.

Will Watson be forced to re-think RangeGoats?

"It's time to graze has to be the least motivational motto of all time," one person wrote.

Another added:

"The funniest thing about the name RangeGoats is that it sort of implies you're only actually good when you're on the range. 'I know I struggled on the course today, but you should have seen me on the range earlier. I was the absolute GOAT out there.'"

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Why RangeGoats? pic.twitter.com/vqNAG2JzXj
— rangegoatsgc (@RangeGoatsGC) February 7, 2023

Despite the reaction, Watson said he worked hard on re-branding his side.

He told LIV Golf's editorial director Mike McAllister:

"It just goes back to the roots of who I am, where I come from. You know, I didn't live a glamorous lifestyle growing up and I'm taking a wild guess that Harold didn’t either. So that’s where the whole process started in my mind.

"Like, either you’re not very good at golf, or you're really good."

He added:

"There's a real reason why we did things. We're going to grow this team and grow this outside of golf. Obviously, winning grows a team. But we worked hard on this."

The second season of the LIV Golf League gets underway over February 24-26 in Mexico.

In other LIV news, attorneys for the "rebel" circuit have made the embarrassing admission that "virtually zero" revenue was generated in their inaugural season.

Next page: Nine players who changed their mind about LIV Golf