DP World Tour pro on LIV Golf: I was wrong about Ian Poulter
DP World Tour player Mike Lorenzo-Vera hosts an illuminating Twitter Q&A about the LIV Golf situation.
DP World Tour player Mike Lorenzo-Vera does not mince his words when it comes to LIV Golf.
When the Saudi-backed mega money series was initially announced, the Frenchman absolutely tore into those players who were thinking of jumping ship.
“WTF is going on in some player’s head???” he posted on his Twitter page, where he also describes himself in his bio as “not politically correct”.
“Not enough on the @PGATOUR? Not well organized? Bad schedule? Bad courses? Bad crowd?” he added. He also went as far as saying that those LIV Golf defectors were “ungrateful”.
Still, since then you can only assume that his feelings have hardened. Even Padraig Harrington when asked last week admitted that some DP World Tour pros do not think the sanctions are harsh enough.
But like Lorenzo-Vera, the 50-year-old Irishman had one message. You were warned that there would be severe sanctions. You have made your bed, so now you sleep in it.
It appears that we are now at the beginning of what promises to be a lengthy court battle. There are reports that 16 of the sanctioned players are now asking for an emergency court order so that they can play the forthcoming Genesis Scottish Open.
And it also seems that Patrick Reed, who has honorary life membership on the DP World Tour, is also being barred from participating at The Renaissance Club.
In the midst of all this, Lorenzo-Vera decided to host a Twitter Q&A where his followers can ask anything they’d wanted in regards to LIV Golf.
Paul Casey joining up? Not a surprise. According to Lorenzo-Vera, the general consensus is from DP World Tour players who have stayed is that they are “so disappointed in them”.
Well, they are reportedly dubbed the “Sour 16”, although Lee Westwood would prefer a different nickname.
The biggest surprise? Lorenzo-Vera thought Ian Poulter cared more about the European team than money.
Anyway, we’ll let Lorenzo-Vera take it from here:
How will you react if you get put in a group with 2 liv players?
— Thefatgod72 (@Thefatgod1) July 3, 2022
I’ll be polite and play my round. But they should not expect any friendship from me
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
A lot of these guys are ET legends, have you lost all respect?
— Rob Smeeton (@lemmy4president) July 3, 2022
Unfortunately yes. Even if I still dream to have a quarter of their carrier.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
How did the players react to Fisher, Bekker and Larrazabal this week in Ireland?
— Derek Hayes (@dhayes7) July 3, 2022
We didn’t really speak about it. They only played the first one. Looks like the sanctions will be for next week
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
What do you think of Paul Casey jumping ship
— Peter (@pmrinsf) July 3, 2022
Not surprised.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Who is gonna be the first to regret their choice and wanna come back to either tour?
— Challo (@NChallo) July 3, 2022
Some non superstar. For sure.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Why is LIV worse than the tour? Saudi money are as dirty as DP money. Why you are hating it so much, PGA Tour has been established for the same reason as LIV…
— Marek Czempiel (@CzempielMarek) July 3, 2022
They are trying to take us down. And I try to protect an organization that helped me have a fantastic living for the last 15 years.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
What do you think of the sanctions applied so far & would you have done less or more?
— Jason Drennan (@jay7070) July 3, 2022
I would have done more. But they’ve done what was allowed to do in the books. No emotions (like me)
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
What is the general feeling amongst the DP tour players about the rebels?
— Katy17MO2 (@christie_katy) July 3, 2022
We are so disappointed in them.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
What’s your opinion about the players in their 40’s taking a big pay off, I personally can understand that decision
— Alan Griffiths (@bigalgriff62) July 3, 2022
Oh yes , me too. But in that case , just stay there. Just don’t come back. They play for someone that try to take the DP World tour down. I believe their not welcome back
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Do you think Euro Tour has missed an opportunity not doing something with LIV (player release etc) and ensuring bigger names at Euro Tour events rather than backing PGA Tour?
— Andrew Keating (@4n7rewKeating) July 3, 2022
The LiV wanted to change the format of the Euro Tour. That’s why it’s great to go why the PGA and keep the legacy and historical part of the Euro Tour
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Do you ever see a situation whereby all the tours figure it out, co-exist and all tbe players are available for PGA, DPWT and LIV?
— James McLaughlin (@McL4UGHL1N) July 3, 2022
No chance this happens. LIV wants us down. We’ll fight back
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Have you talked to any of them since they went?
— Ian Poulter Tracker (@ian_tracker) July 3, 2022
No , I just can’t.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
How will it change the atmosphere around the putting green / range at a tournament. Justin Thomas described on @NoLayingUp how it’s “them” and “us” and how he doesn’t plan to make the normal effort to say hi
— Seán Clancy (@SeanJohnGerard) July 3, 2022
I love JT way of seeing it
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
What do you think about a potential lawsuit from the likes of Westwood and Poulter and How much they care about the DP Tour ?
— Mark Caswell (@caswellmr) July 3, 2022
I think it show how much they think only about themselves.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Sad thing is Mike we were all big fans of these guys grew up supporting them in the Ryder cup kaymer in 2012…. Means nothing now
— Dyl (@HoodieUce) July 3, 2022
Exactly !!!!
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Do you think Augusta will let them play?
— kittycarrie (@kittyycarrie) July 3, 2022
I have no idea to be honest. I hope that Augusta will have a strong response.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
If LIV flops should they be allowed back?
— Paul Wilson (@pwgolfer) July 3, 2022
Very good question. I don’t think they should
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Which player has surprised you the most by going to LIV?
— Des Keenan (@pkeen52) July 3, 2022
Poulter to be honest. I thought he loved more the European Team than the money. I was wrong.
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Do you think they'll be / should be excluded from majors?
— Gavin Ransom (@baggerScript) July 3, 2022
Yes I do… I believe that they chose money over competition. Than why majors ?
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Were you contacted? Would you have given it a thought if offered 1-5 €million? (honestly)
— Jean Foot (@potillon123) July 3, 2022
No I’ve never been in contact. Honnesty money is one thing , but my dream is the tour. So I’ll never go !!!
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
Do you think they should be excluded from the Ryder Cup?
— Charlie Reid (@cgvreid) July 3, 2022
Without a doubt…
— Mike Lorenzo-Vera (@MikeLorenzoVer1) July 3, 2022
