Smith: "LIV Golf is not the best preparation for major championships"

It seems hard to believe nearly three years has passed since LIV made its noisy introduction to men's professional golf. 

Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Bubba Watson, Sergio Garcia, Henrik Stenson, Martin Kaymer, Patrick Reed, Graeme McDowell, Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel were the major champions that were first recruited by the PIF-backed breakaway. 

Other high-profile players have followed in their footsteps but only the aforementioned DeChambeau and Koepka have tasted victories in one of golf's big four events. 

DeChambeau clinched his second U.S. Open title last summer and Koepka brought his tally of major wins to five at the 2023 US PGA Championship at Oak Hill. 

Ahead of the second men's major of the year - the PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in Charlotte - it's clear now that one truth about LIV is becoming impossible to ignore:

LIV Golf's schedule is not providing the best preparation to the majors for their players. 

And the stats do not lie. 

Earlier in the week, PGA Tour data analyst Ron Klos shone a light on the subject with a deep dive into the subject. 

Since joining LIV, only the aforementioned DeChambeau and 2024 recruit Tyrrell Hatton have gained strokes in the major championships. 

Johnson's performances also make for grim reading. 

We're constantly reminded LIV's Joaquin Niemann is one of the best players in the world. Even Mickelson reckons so. 

Niemann has racked up three wins on LIV this year alone but has never properly contended at a U.S. Open, Masters, Open Championship or PGA Championship despite being the beneficiary of special invitations by the PGA of America and Augusta National. 

Klos added: "Out of the 18 golfers that have signed with LIV and played in at least three majors since joining, 14 have performed worse on average in major events compared to their three-year strokes gained average per round in majors before joining."

See the graph here:

Surely at this point LIV should acknowledge that if they want to have legitimacy then their future schedule should allow their players to prepare properly for the majors. 

Before you criticise me, it should be noted even a few of their players have pushed for LIV to make some changes. 

Former Open champ Smith and 2023 Masters winner Jon Rahm urged LIV play a links event before The Open. 

"There's so much that goes into adjusting to links golf," Rahm previously said.  

"Getting used to the greens and the ball reacting on the ground. I didn't think about it until after [Troon], but it's undeniable how much it helps to play a links golf course the week before the Open."

Rahm admitted that it was easier said than done, given LIV have contracts in place with certain venues for several years. 

Shane Lowry needs to rethink his behaviour

Shane Lowry had a glorious opportunity over the weekend to clinch his first win since clinching The Open in 2019 at Royal Portrush. 

Lowry went toe-to-toe with his European Ryder Cup teammate Sepp Straka at the Truist Championship but it was the Austrian that prevailed. 

A furious Lowry declined to speak to the media and was also caught snubbing this little girl who wanted his autograph. 

I understand that Lowry was furious with himself for his poor finish, but it's really not a good look for someone that has justed banked $1,760,000 to be storming off without saying a few words. 

A few weeks ago, Joel Dahmen had a complete meltdown when he was on the verge of claiming his second PGA Tour victory. 

Dahmen dropped three strokes over the final three holes in the Dominican Republic. 

Imagine how he felt? I know the two events might not be comparable, but Dahmen still faced the music and described his 'shock' at the 'inexecusable collapse'. 

We're constantly reminded by these top pros that they want to 'grow the game' and I think speaking to those pesky reporters in the immediate aftermath of disappointments is part of it. 

Come on Shane, be better. 

How can you bet against Rory McIlroy this week?

Reigning World No.1 Scottie Scheffler may be the favourite to clinch the PGA Championship but an unburdened McIlroy is a dangerous proposition for the players in the field to deal with. 

McIlroy is now a grand slammer and apparently does not care about the inner workings of the PGA Tour. 

Quail Hollow Club is also a venue McIlroy absolutely loves. 

So much so, Jordan Spieth - who is also chasing the career grand slam this week - dubbed it Rory McIlroy Country Club. 

"It's a place that I'm very comfortable at," McIlroy told reporters last week. "With Quail Hollow, the city of Charlotte in general and the people."

"I won here for the first time as a 20-year-old. They've seen my progression throughout the years."

Who do you think will win the PGA Championship?

Leave us a comment on Facebook, Instagram, X or YouTube.