By: Vivona Xu

In Brookline, Massachusetts, the opening round for the 122nd U.S open was starting. This year’s match would not be like any other. The LIV Golf Tour (founded in 2021) has recently recruited many former members of the PGA Tour, and it will be their first time playing at a PGA Tour event for another team.

LIV Golf has already been criticized by the public for receiving funds from the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia. In addition, there are accusations of LIV Golf players being “willing stooges of Saudi sportswashing.”

Now, their players will have to step onto the green.

With the rise of the LIV golf league, fifteen golfers abandoned the PGA Tour league to Align with the LIV golf tour. These players would play alongside golfers they had just deserted.

Not to mention the fact that the newly recruited LIV golf players had been given hundreds of millions of dollars in inducements.

Phil Mickleson, a six-time major champion and the best-known deserter to the LIV Golf Invitational series, prepared to begin his round. Last weekend, Mickleson signed a $200 million contract to be the star attraction of the LIV gold tour.

When Mickleson strutted out towards the course, he was greeted in applause from fans. Though it was not as enthusiastic as last year when he won the P.G.A Championship, it was passionate.

Unfortunately, as Mickleson was about to hit his opening shot, a fan from the hillside behind him teased, “Phil, Celtics three-and-half tonight, who do you like?” Mickleson has been known for his gambling habits and admitted them in an interview with Sports Illustrated to be “ reckless and embarrassing.”

Mickleson kept his back turned.

Later, as Mickleson was walking to the fourth hole, a voice shouted in his direction, “Sellout!”

Justin Thomas, a leader among the young players who have pledged their support for the PGA Tour, about the players who left to join LIV golf, said “You can disagree with the decision. You can maybe wish that they did something differently. But for people at home to necessarily say that Dustin Johnson (former world number 1 who accepted LIV golf leagues offer) is now a bad person, that’s not fair. That’s just not right.”

Sources:

2022 U.S. Open weather forecast for Sunday’s final round in Brookline (yahoo.com)

PGA Tour Defends Its Perch Under Pressure From LIV Golf – The New York Times (nytimes.com)

At U.S. Open, Betrayal, Greed, a LIV Golf Star and, Above All, Decorum – The New York Times (nytimes.com)