The crazy story involving LIV Golf's Bubba Watson and Monday Q legend
LIV Golf's Bubba Watson was previously urged to resign his PGA Tour membership ahead of the Korn Ferry Tour finals.
Bubba Watson was announced as a LIV Golf Invitational Series player in July.
And there was an interesting scenario regarding the two-time Masters champion.
Because he had not actually hit a tee shot in a LIV Golf event, he was still listed on the PGA Tour's FedEx Cup standings.
The other players who had played in LIV Golf events but had not resigned their memberships with the established American circuit were booted off.
Whether or not you agree with that is up to you.
But Watson's name remaining on the list by technicality had wild, wild implications for one player in particular.
His name is Chris Naegel and he's 39-year-old Monday Qualifying legend. His run this season has been nothing short of remarkable.
Check out the thread below:
This story is CRAZY. You seriously can't make it up.
I need you to read and share this post. Let's use the power of social media for good and make the PGA Tour reconsider a flaw in their FedEx Cup point system.
(1/7)
— The Par Train (@TheParTrain) August 10, 2022
You've heard us talk about Chris Naegel. Mr. Monday qualifier, fellow STL native, pod guest.
His 7 week run on the PGA Tour was legendary:
-Made the cut at U.S. Open
-Monday q'd for John Deere
-Monday q'd for Barracuda
-Monday q'd for 3M
-Monday q'd for Rocket Mortgage(2/7)
— The Par Train (@TheParTrain) August 10, 2022
These 7 weeks likely earned Chris enough points as a non PGA Tour member to get into the top 200 FedEx Cup point standings and into the Korn Ferry Finals for a shot at his PGA Tour card.
...until this happened (again, you can't make this up)
(3/7)
— The Par Train (@TheParTrain) August 10, 2022
1. Kim Joo-hyung, against all odds, wins the Wyndham Championship last week despite making a quad on the first hole
2. Bubba Watson, despite joining LIV, is not yet suspended by the PGA Tour because he hasn't hit a shot in competition due to injury.
(4/7)
— The Par Train (@TheParTrain) August 10, 2022
How does this impact Chris?
J.H. Kim's long shot win AND Bubba still being eligible on the FedEx Cup points list bumped Naegel to spot #201. ONE. SPOT. AWAY.
Chris now won't qualify for KF Finals with a chance to earn his PGA Tour Card with a top 25 finish.
(5/7)
— The Par Train (@TheParTrain) August 10, 2022
Fellow STL native and PGA Tour winner Adam Long called Chris maybe the best player without status.
Chris Naegel is 39 years old. He has 3 kids. Been grinding on mini tours for years. Made cuts in two U.S. Opens. His 7 week run should've earned him a chance at his card.
(6/7)
— The Par Train (@TheParTrain) August 10, 2022
It doesn't seem fair that Chris should miss out on a once in a lifetime chance because of a technicality. Bubba is on LIV. He's injured.
Tag Bubba. Tag the Tour. Tag the media.
Let's see if we can get Chris an exception and get him into the Korn Ferry Finals.
(7/7)
— The Par Train (@TheParTrain) August 10, 2022
That's crazy, isn't it?!
Anyway, Watson has now confirmed his resignation from the PGA Tour after he was urged to make this right.
Watson, 43, has practically missed the majority of the 2022 season with a torn meniscus. Though he did hit one miracle shot at The Masters.
He will make his debut for LIV Golf in 2023, he said, and will be a team captain for the controversial series.
Watson's last win on Tour came at the 2018 Travelers Championship, which he has won three times.
He now occupies No. 90 in the OWGR, which has recently announced changes.
In total, he has won 12 times on the PGA Tour alongside his two Masters victories in 2012 and 2014.
Watson said he and his wife "prayed" about whether or not to join LIV Golf. "My wife loved it," he said.
