Phil Mickelson wanted a rematch.
Brooks Koepka voted to pass.
LIV Golf arrived Wednesday morning at Trump National Doral for a team selection news conference, which turned into a roast.
The top four teams (Aces Crushers Fireballs, Fireballs and Stinger) will be byed into Saturday’s second round. Seeds 5-12 will be playing Friday with 5-7 choosing their opponents.
Koepka captains No. 5 seed Smash. Mickelson, the captain of the eighth-seeded Hy Flyers was looking to relive his 2021 PGA Championship title, and his final-round showdown against Koepka.
From Palm Beach Post: Donald Trump will play in the pro-am Thursday before LIV golf event at Doral
Mickelson stated, “If you would like a rematch or the ’21 PGA,” you could choose our team and we could play one another.”
Koepka opted to face Niblicks, the lowest-seeded group, and will face Harold Varner III during match play.
Mickelson did accept his challenge. He will not leave empty-handed.
Koepka stated, “If you’re willing to play, then we can play,” before adding. You probably don’t realize this, because you have never been No. You finish (No. 1 ) they award you a small trophy at the end. Two of these are mine, so I could bring one to show you.”
Mickelson quickly countered.
“That’s beautiful, green shirt. Do you have a green coat?” knowing that the Masters is not one of the four majors won Koepka.
It continued. LIV Golf, financed from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund will close a controversial but successful inaugural season. This has polarized the sport, and forced major changes to the PGA Tour in order to stop more players defecting.
LIV’s detractors claim it is a form “sportswashing” by Saudi Arabia, which seeks to distract from its atrocious human right violations. The supporter group is in sync with Palm Beach Gardens CEO Greg Norman and LIV ally Donald Trump. Trump is a former president and Palm Beach resident and has hosted two of eight events this year. He will be participating in Thursday’s pro am.
“If I look at LIV Golf, and where we are today compared to six, seven months back, people are saying that this is dead in water …,” Mickelson.” “Here we stand today, a major force in the game, which has players of this calibre moving professional golf around the world. It’s amazing how far LIV Golf came in the past six, seven months. That’s something that I think everyone can agree with.
Brooks Koepka (left) and Ian Poulter (right) have a good time at a press conference prior to the LIV Golf series in Trump National Doral. (Photo by John David Mercer – USA TODAY Sports).
Meanwhile, Club LIV hosted a roast in the Ivanka Trump Ballroom.
Bubba Watson, the non-playing captain of Koepka, was not surprised by Koepka’s decision to face Niblicks.
Watson, 32 years old, told Koepka that he was not concerned. “You may have more injuries than I. You are getting older.
Since 2019, Koepka has seen his game decline, much of it because of injuries. His first professional win in 20-months was the LIV’s last individual event at Jeddah.
For four-man teams, there are two singles matches (one between team captains) as well as one alternate shot foursomes match.
Ian Poulter, the captain of the sixth-seeded Majesticks was voted No. 9 seed Iron Heads, captain Kevin Na was chosen as an opponent.
Na stated that the average age of their team is in the 50s. “I have some young guns and I think that we are all fine.
Joaquin Niemann, Torque captain from North Palm Beach, chose to face Martin Kaymer of Cleeks.
Kaymer stated, “It’s a bit disrespectful but that’s the way it goes here, I suppose.”
This left Mickelson and Punch captain Cameron Smith as the top-ranked players on LIV’s roster, and reigning Open champion. Punch is the 11th seed.
Mickelson stated, “Yeah. This sucks.” I don’t like how this turned out. Cam’s smile is infectious. See how happy he looks! It didn’t go as we planned.
LIV’s Year 1 blueprint has been a success.
This is LIV’s most prestigious event. Norman hopes to shine a spotlight on team competition by giving $50 million in the purse.
Next year’s 14-team season will see each team sell ownership stakes and corporate sponsors. LIV hopes to attract global fans with teams that include players from Australia (Punch), South Africa (Stinger), and the U.K (Majesticks), as well as Spanish-speaking golfers (“Fireballs”), with ties to Asia (Iron Heads), South Africa (“Stinger”), and Australia (Punch).
Mickelson stated, “We have never had a team event of this magnitude in professional golf.” Mickelson said, “We have never had such a match-play opportunity in professional golf where the number and number of matches are the same on Friday and Saturday.”
“Normal match play is a week with fewer matches and fewer interesting days. This week is completely different.
