PGA Players Feel Betrayed By LIV Merger
California plays host to the third major of the golfing year as a strong field takes to the course at Los Angeles Country Club for the 2023 US Open this week.
It is the first time in 75 years that the US Open is being played in the city with LA Country Club hosting the event for the first time. A challenging layout is expected for the players with low scores unlikely as the Californian course looks to test the contenders across four demanding rounds.
Brooks Koepka is among the favourites to back up his victory in the US PGA Championship but will face stern competition from the likes of world no.1 Scottie Scheffler and Masters champion Jon Rahm. Rory McIlroy cannot be discounted while Matt Fitzpatrick will be hoping to produce his best golf as he bids to defend his US Open title.
The unexpected news of a merger between the controversial Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series and the PGA Tour only adds to the anticipation though it will be a while before the full ramifications of the merger are realised.
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US Open 2023
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US Open 2023
Jon Rahm has dropped back. He had a putt to hold par on the 12th (his third hole) and trickled a slow shot down the hill. It holds out to the right and dribbles past.
Just behind him on the 10th hole Jacob Solomon picks up a share of the lead with a fine birdie. It’s two in a row for him now and he looks back to his best.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 17:23
US Open 2023
Tyrell Hatton’s having a tricky day out there. He’s found himself in some shocking positions but has been fighting well to avoid plummeting down the leaderboard.
A wayward tee shot on the 13th flies off into the right rough and despite a nice recovery his putt to save par slides by.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 17:17
US Open 2023
Movement on the leaderboard!
Jacob Solomon gets back the shot he gave up on the eighth to move within one of the lead. Kevin Streelman is also at two-under with Xander Schauffele alos joining this chasing pack.
Dylan Wu’s impressive start takes a hit with his first bogey and leaves Omar Morales as the outright leader.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 17:13
US Open 2023
Three birdies and three pars thru the first six holes for Dylan Wu sees him join Omar Morales at the top of the leaderboard. He’s got a simple technique when it comes to putting.
Line up, step into position then rock the shoulders back and forth with a slight bodily swivel. It’s working this afternoon for the 26-year-old.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 16:59
US Open 2023
Rahm needs a pair of binoculars to locate the hole on the 11th green as he eyes up a consecutive birdie. He’s miles away from the cup but finds the right pace and leaves it within a foot to tidy up for a par.
Schauffele also knocks in for a three.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 16:56
US Open 2023
Omar Morales has the solo lead!
The amateur continues to blaze his way into the US Open with an eagle putt on the eighth hole. He starts his putt slightly too straight and pulls the ball underneath the hole which elicits excited sighs of frustration from the onlooking crowd.
It’s a tap in for birdie though and Morales is now down at three-under par.
(Getty Images)
Mike Jones15 June 2023 16:54
US Open 2023
Jon Rahm is safely on the green off the tee on 11. He’s got a lengthy putt to come but the Masters champion is getting his round off to an impressive start.
Xander Schauffele also looks to be safely on the green.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 16:52
US Open 2023
Do you fancy a look at the best shot of the day so far?
It came from Michael Brennan who was over to the back side of the third green, lining up a chip for birdie. Here’s a look at how he played the shot:
Mike Jones15 June 2023 16:50
Golf’s shock merger could face multiple legal challenges
Golf’s controversial new partnership is in for an “uncomfortable ride” and may face lengthy and costly legal challenges in multiple jurisdictions, a competition lawyer has said.
The PGA Tour announced last week it was creating a new commercial entity with the DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), a move it said would “unify golf” and which brought an end to a legal dispute between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, a series backed by PIF.
Concerns have already been raised about whether the new deal may fall foul of competition law. The United States Senate has already opened an investigation into it, with Senator Richard Blumenthal writing to PGA Tour chief executive Jay Monahan to say that the PGA Tour’s “sudden and drastic reversal of position concerning LIV Golf” raised “serious questions”.
Mike Jones15 June 2023 16:47