LIV MAYAKOBA TOURNAMENT 2023

 LIV MAYAKOBA TOURNAMENT EL CAMALEON GC, PLAYA DEL CARMEN MX. 2/23/2023

    FEB 23-25 PURSE $25,000,000 PAR 71

This is the first LIV event of 2023.  A couple of weeks ago several LIV players played in the Asian Tour event in Oman with a total purse of $2M.  Sergio Garcia finished 7th and won $74K, Chase Koepka finished 36th and won $12K.  Brooks Koepka missed the cut and got $0. It seems they were preparing for this tournament where the winner gets $4M. Feb 18th pole reveals that LIV TV telecast on Sat and Sun from 1 to 6 on the CW network will have 29% watching, 66% will not, 5% maybe. FEB 23-On Feb 3 Page 1(34) of this BLOG’S LIV coverage, I stated that LIV players would be playing in at least 3 of the 4 majors in 2023.  The PGA has announced today that “any player who qualifies through its exemptions will be eligible to compete in the PGA Championship”. This includes past PGA Championship winners who have jumper to LIV, Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Martin Kaymer.  Others who meet the requirements will also be permitted to play. Of the 48 golfers in this tournament 18 are from the USA.

ROUND 1

#1 Paul Casey-6 65 #1 Jason Kokrak-6 65

#3 Peter Uihlein-4 67 #3 Carlos Ortiz-4 67

#3 Taylor Gooch-4 67

#6 Charles Howell III, Ian Poulter, Marc Leishman, Dustin Johnson, Brandon Grace-3 68

#11 Cameron Smith-2 #23 Patrick Reed & Phil Mickelson+1

#43 Thomas Pieters+5 76.  One of newcomers who replaced Hudson Swafford who will have hip surgery and be out at least 6 months.  In 2022 on the PGA, he made $1.4M by winning The American Express, then missed the cut in 7 of the next 12.  In the other 5, his best finish was tied for 30 at the Masters.  He joined LIV in June, played in all 8 events and made $1.2M finishing #50 in money earned.

ROUND 2 Live TV coverage very disappointing.  I don’t like uniforms, shorts, team concept or shotgun start.  Atmosphere very unprofessional, not as classy as the PGA, and the field was not exciting.  Even though Honda has a weaker field, the newcomers played well and made it interesting.  Also, the broadcast with Dan Hicks, Paul Azinger and staff are much better than LIV’s.  As much as I like David Faraday, their broadcast team were like a bunch of cheerleaders for LIV.  The PGA is handling the rivalry well and while LIV seems to have unlimited asset; I don’t think they are a legitimate challenge to the PGA.  

#1Peter Uihlein-9 66

#1 Taylor Gooch-9 66

#3 Charles Howell III-8 66

#4 Paul Casey-6 71

#4 Branden Grace-6 68 

#30 Patrick Reed+2 72.  Played in several Asian & DP Tour events and been inconsistent.

#41 Phil Mickelson+5 75 His legacy being tarnished by his LIV support and poor play. 

#43 Bubba Watson+6 76 Recovering from knee problem.  At 44 his better days are behind him.

FINAL ROUND 

#1 Charles Howell III 63 197 $5M

#2 Peter Uihlein 68 201 $2.1M

#3 Branden Grace 67 203 $1.5M

#4 Paul Casey 70 206 $1.1M

#5 C. Smith & B. Steele 207 $.9K

#27 Phil Mickelson +1 $1.6K

#40 Bubba Watson +6 $1.2K

Lots of money for 4 players.  Does anyone care but them????