by With another made-for-TV match in the works (no, not you, Jimmy Fallon), Brendan and Joseph convened for an Alternate Shot discussion featuring thoughts on the event itself, What It All Means for golf (if anything), and more.
Brendan: Joseph, the climax of competition that is the playoffs has passed, and we’re on to exhibition season. The Presidents Cup approaches, silly season events are slated, and now we have news of the next iteration of “The Match.” A report from Eamon Lynch in Golfweek revealed that Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler will face off against LIV’s Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau in Las Vegas in December. Exact date, location, and format still seem to be TBD, but this is obviously a setup aiming to capitalize on the drama of dueling tours. Let’s set aside the undertones of what it might mean for the global golf order for a minute. What’s your reaction to this as a golf product? Are you excited for this in December?
Joseph: Brendan, sorry for rejecting your instruction to set aside the undertones here, but for me the entire appeal of this event is what it could mean for professional golf. In an article for Sports Illustrated, Michael Rosenberg reported that in announcing his participation in this match, McIlroy is intent on getting the best players back playing against one another and “he will dare anybody to try to stop him.” Later in the article, Rosenberg states that Scheffler and McIlroy went “rogue.”
That language indicates that there is an alliance between Scottie Scheffler, the best golfer in the world, and Rory McIlroy, the biggest active superstar in professional golf. If those two are going to call their own shots, in tandem, while struggling factions at the PGA Tour make zero progress towards a deal with the PIF as ratings tank, then it’s the first sign of hope for potential progress in pro golf in a long time.
For the last few years, golf has been dumping cash into meaningless endeavors while fans have gradually disengaged. Without implications for the future of golf, I suspect this event would feel like another meaningless cash-grab pretty quickly. An exhibition match in Vegas between the LIV side and the PGA Tour side doesn’t prove who is the best in the world or which tour has more talent. I think the opportunity here is to show golf fans that the participants are committed to wielding whatever power they have to get the game back together.
A Scheffler-McIlroy pairing going rogue, setting up a match with Brooks and Bryson, and daring anyone to stop them from playing? That’s more compelling than nearly all non-major championship golf played over the last few years. I hope each player is mic’d up, and I hope they put everyone who’s hindering the dealmaking progress on blast. Air it all out. Who’s going to stop them?
Brendan: No one may stop them from playing, but what will be accomplished by it? This moves the ball down the field? I am skeptical given the circular firing squad and deep, rotting dysfunction portrayed in that Rosenberg article. So no one will stop them from playing, but it might not change a single mind or push anyone toward further unification. It may only further entrench opposing sides via resentment about some players “going rogue.” I read that as the PGA Tour did not officially bless this non-sanctioned event as is required when its members play golf on television — the under-our-thumb proviso that incensed Phil Mickelson so much back when he was plucking lob wedges off a tee on the putting green at Shadow Creek for millions of dollars.
I am actually a little stunned to read this match gives you “hope”, and I am trying to come around to your POV as you’re a person of intellect and reason who I respect. Right now, I am just happy for the agents involved, the production company that swooped in, the TBD host course, and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. They all get to put a little extra coin in their pockets thanks to the division, dysfunction, and possible self-destruction of pro golf.
Joseph: I share your skepticism, but I think the answer to “What will be accomplished by it?” is: “Potentially more than is being accomplished now, which is absolutely nothing.”
Am I overwhelmed with hope after this announcement? No. I doubt this event will lead to any substantive change. The event itself does virtually nothing for me, but I am energized by the prospect of a McIlroy and Scheffler alliance. They’re two of the very few golfers on the planet people care about watching. They have leverage over the PGA Tour. It’s not like the PGA Tour is going to sanction Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, two of their most valuable players.
I want to believe in something, Brendan! If Scheffler and McIlroy decide to take matters into their own hands, that gives me more optimism than the trajectory we were on. But to your point, “Ok, what does that actually look like?” is reasonable skepticism.
Brendan: Ok, time to inject my own hope-y positivity here too. I think I am actually more into the product than you are based on your initial remarks. I don’t think these alt-golf matches have a ton of momentum, as you say. Not going to argue this changes that. But all four of these players are wildly compelling golf talents. It’s great watching them play actual golf. A couple are true showmen who know how to play and speak on a stage. Do I think it will have wide-ranging mass appeal? Eh. But I find the actual match somewhat interesting as a golf fan, even if it’s back to Vegas again. To use your very low bar from the last answer: it could be a nice four-hour distraction for December, and a lot better than nothing at all.
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