Ernie Els has slammed LIV Golf and called on professional golf to sort out the mess it has created over recent years. The former world No. 1 is unconvinced by its 54-hole format or the team aspect of its tournaments.
Els, 54, is far from alone in opposing the three-day, no-cut events. Even players who have gone on to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf have been vocal in criticising its atypical format.
Others have also questioned the atmosphere during tournaments. Music playing on the course has been a constant gripe from those involved.
Then there are the misgivings about Saudi Arabia‘s sovereign wealth fund financing the league. Els appreciates that those involved on behalf of the Public Investment Fund, including its governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, have an affection for the game, but his opposition remains.
“No, I’ve not had an offer [from LIV],” Els told Yellowhammer News. “But I wouldn’t have said yes anyway.”
Els has form for turning down the advances of rival leagues, doing so when Greg Norman came calling in 1994. “I was 24 at the time,” Els recalled in an interview with Sports Illustrated last summer.
“He called me in Japan at the Dunlop Phoenix (tournament). He asked me, ‘are you coming?’ I said, ‘I can’t do it. I want to play major golf.’ I was just starting out. I said no. And I probably would have done the same today. We all look like idiots now.”
Almost a year on, Els’ stance has not changed. “I know some of the Saudi guys; they genuinely love the game of golf,” he explained during an interview before the Regions Tradition in Birmingham.
“But the LIV current format is not proper golf. It wouldn’t have been for me, whatever stage of my career I was at.”
Els went on to detail his exact issues. “The fact remains, to my mind, the LIV Golf format doesn’t work, not in the way they’re playing at the moment,” he continued. “Maybe there’s a place for team golf within the global schedule – maybe put some teams together, play a two-month happy season, so to speak. But the rest of the year, let’s play real golf.”
Last summer, Els also called the league “circus golf” but has somewhat softened on his stance that “team golf doesn’t work.” Back then, Els called out PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan for announcing the framework agreement for a merger without consulting the members first.
He shared his worries at the time, describing the situation as an “absolute shambles,” and called for a deal to see PIF invest in the Tour. Els still harbours hopes for a truce between the two parties.
“Obviously, I hope they can work out their differences, because this mess is not good for our sport. We’ll have to see.”
