Two Bald Golfers Arguing Over A Comb

The Players offered we golf minions a look at a level playing field for the best golfers in the world. There is no doubt that the major players were there trying to win the Wannamaker Trophy. Go down the list and you will see everyone who has won something in their career. And many who want their first win but play well enough to qualify.

The hearts of the crowd did not care about whether they played on PGA Tour or the Liv Tour. In reality, the hit of the tourney was Mr. Block who was living the everyday journeyman’s dream not thinking for a minute he would play on the final day let alone jar one on a par 3!

This is a gut-check time for the Tours – and only the Tours. They are a classic example of 2 bald guys fighting over a comb. It seems to be an argument about control and nothing more. One Tour thinks they have it, and one doesn’t care – they just want to offer an alternative view of the game. If you watch our first tee on a weekend, you will see more options than just two!

There is a stark comparison of this situation to the NHL versus the WHA (World Hockey Association). Bobby Hull bolted for an outrageous (to the Owners of the NHL) salary. When the average player was earning $25,000 Bobby threw out the concept he would move to the WHA for $1million. This was the 70s so cars cost $3000 - you do the math. And many of the hockey troops were lured as well. They filled their teams and they filled arenas. Some for shorter periods of time than others. People went to see their heroes play – not caring too much about the game. I remember going to a Toronto Toros game to watch Frank Mahovolich play as he had moved from the Leafs. Gordie Howe bolted as did Paul Henderson. To the hockey nation of Canada, this is Deja vu – but cash is not the issue. The WHA struggled for 7 years before merging with the NHL. They didn’t have the Saudi cheque book.

The Saudi backing is strictly a red-herring. If the PGA Tour banned anyone who does business with Saudi from sponsoring anyone or any event on the PGA Tour, the lights would dim like they did for the first Toronto Toros' home game (Harold Ballard held that switch!).

Besides which, we all live in glass houses on the Saudi issue – so let’s be truthful to all and get moving on a merger.

The inevitability of this finale for the current situation is all but certain – there will be talks, there will be some form of merger and golf will continue to be played by more people who pay to play than those who are paid to play. And those who pay to play are much more important to the game than the high priced talent we love to watch.

Nuff said!

Happy to sit with the 2 bald guys and have a chat......