SPORTS & MORE: PRO GOLF DRAMA — IF I HAD $4M, HOW WOULD I SPEND IT?

Pro golfer Phil Mickelson, seen at the 2018 U.S. Open, reportedly accepted a $200 million inducement fee to quit the PGA Tour and play for the new Saudi-backed LIV golf league. CONTRIBUTED

I’ve never met pro golfer Phil Mickelson. I’ve read he’s deep in gambling debt, but I know he’s a great golfer. He has jumped from the PGA Tour to the new LIV Series, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and pays its golfers a lot more than the PGA Tour for far fewer events. Mickelson reportedly was paid a $200 million, multi-year inducement fee to jump ship from the PGA and climb aboard the LIV Series which reportedly induced Dustin Johnson with $150 million.

Golfer Greg Norman is a top executive of LIV.

But there’s a problem. LIV’s money comes from Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. In other words, oil money, which to some people is dirty money; not to mention Saudi Arabia’s track record of human rights violations, including its alleged involvement in the murder and dismemberment of Washington Post reporter Jamal Khashoggi four years ago in Turkey. 

The PGA suspended Mickelson and 16 other golfers who qualified for LIV’s first tournament, which was held in London last week. Later, Bryan DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Ian Poulter and Pat Perez also dropped out of the PGA to play in the LIV. Other LIV golfers include Dustin Johnson, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Talor Gooch and Louis Oosthuizen. The PGA has warned other golfers they, too, will not be eligible to play in PGA Tour events if they play in the LIV Series. Johnson told reporters in London that he had signed a four-year inducement deal with LIV for a reported $150 million.

CHARL SCHWARTZEL, a former Masters Tournament winner, won the LIV’s first 54-hole event among 47 participants and took home $4 million plus $750,000 for his share of the team competition. (Unlike PGA Tour events, which include four rounds of golf, LIV events are only three rounds, or 54 holes. Hence the name LIV, which is 54 in Roman numerals.)

Mickelson and Kevin Na tied for 33rd place, winning $150,000 each, which is in addition to inducement fees they accepted to join the LIV. Garcia tied for 22th and won $172,000. In last place, Itthipat Buranatanyarat took home $122,000.

The first LIV tournament was televised on YouTubeTV, and initial coverage in the U.S. could be limited to streaming services and social platforms.  LIV didn’t make the ESPN highlights its first few days, and that network could determine LIV’s acceptance, at least in this country.

Why shouldn’t there be a second major golf league? I’m for it. Some golfers, Mickelson included, have voiced gripes against the PGA. So, perhaps it isn’t perfect. Other sports have two or more divisions. There used to be two pro football leagues, although alternative pro- football leagues have not survived. And there will still be plenty of “big-name” golfers left for the PGA. 

TAKING PART IN LAST WEEK’S Canadian Open tournament, opposite the first LIV event, were Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Tony Finau, Justin Rose, Sam Burns, Cameron Smith and Scottie Scheffler. McIlroy and Thomas were tied at the 17th hole on the final day, but McIlroy birdied, while Thomas bogied. That clinched it for McIlroy’s repeat as the Canadian champ. Finau kicked up into second place when Thomas bogied 18 as well. 

The U.S Open is this week at Brookline, Massachusetts. It’s not run by the PGA and is allowing LIV golfers to play. The other majors are independent as well.

Several TV announcers have taken a strong position against the LIV golfers. Mark Rolfing, a prominent voice on the Golf Channel, said his “sadness was turning to anger,” when the jumping golfers were announced. 

The money is too much to resist. I read that Tiger Woods turned down an offer of $1 billion to go LIV, whose second tournament is June 30 through July 2 in Portland, Oregon. AS I SAID, I accept the idea of a second golf league. It’s an awful lot of money, at least to me. I’ve never had close to what I accept as a lot of money. If someone gave me $4 million all at once, what would I do with it?

The first thing I’d do is buy a new car, as the one I have is several years old. Truth be told, I’d probably buy an expensive, sporty car. I’d buy a house, and we know that in Key West we’re talking more than $1 million. I’d hire a housekeeper, probably to live in and cook three meals a day. New clothes. Incidentals. Money gifts for my six children. Same for my church and some other charities.

Wait, I’ve still got plenty left. And, if I’m one of those golfers, there’s another tournament next week. Can my bank handle this much money?

Veteran sports columnist Ralph Morrow says the only sport he doesn’t follow is cricket. That leaves plenty of others to fill his time.