NBA legend Charles Barkley was asked for his thoughts on the Saudi golf league in a YouTube broadcast Friday night. “For $150 million I would kill a family member!” After the laughter, El Gordo continued, “Hey, I’m serious. Phil Mickelson got $200 million and Dustin Johnson got $150 million. For $150 million I would kill a relative, even one I liked!”
The Gulf War between the American Circuit and the Saudi League has crossed borders. At the US Open, held in Brookline, Massachusetts, the battle for power beats behind an exciting athletic competition. The PGA Tour has banned the Rebels who switched sides from its tournaments, but the US Open, like the other three majors (Masters, PGA and British Open), is outside its jurisdiction. It is under the umbrella of the USGA (the US Gulf Federation) and this currently, like the rectors of the other Grand Slam events, allows supporters of the American circuit and the insurgents to coexist on the pitch. This is the other US Open played at Brookline, knowing which side is the champion to lift the pitcher this Sunday and pocket a fat check of $3.15 million compared to 2.2 in last year (South Africa’s Charl Schwartzel took 4.75 as the first winner in the Saudi league).
The balance tipped after the first two rounds for the good guys on the PGA Tour. The top three in the world rankings, Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy, pushed their way into the pride of place, led by world number seven Collin Morikawa. The four are heavyweights positioned on the American circuit side for now. Among the numbers on the other hand, you had to drop to 31st place to find Dustin Johnson, while Sergio García and Phil Mickelson didn’t make it.
LIV Golf, the company that started the Saudi league, cares a lot about its boys. “Happy Birthday, Lefty!” his official account tweeted on Thursday, the day Lefty Mickelson turned 52. Next week there might be new travel companions.
Phil Mickelson.Patrick Smith (AFP)
The image battle also counts in this face-to-face between traditional power and the nouveau riche. PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, now in the eye of the storm, rushed to personally congratulate Rory McIlroy on his win at the Canadian Open last Sunday, a day after the first LIV Golf event in London. It was a hit for the American circuit. McIlroy is one of the strongmen of the organization, the only one along with Rahm and Justin Thomas who has unhesitatingly shown his support for the parent company. Now he can be seen at the US Open, looking for his fifth Major after an eight-year losing streak at the Majors. “I don’t want it to be easy. I want someone to do 65 punches to force me to do 64,” McIlroy shared after day two.
This is one of the ironclad arguments of the defenders of the status quo. “I want to compete against the best in the world, and they’re here,” said Rahm, who was also exploring the possibility of joining the rebellion at the time. The Basque, who is defending the title at the American Open, referred to his representation. Closed door to a format that he doesn’t consider real golf (three days, no course and a roster of just 48 golfers) and in which there is no trace of history. On the bank account there is no comparison between the Goldberg that LIV Golf offers and some prizes on the American circuit and in the big ones, which are very juicy even without reaching these numbers. As true as it is, in sport there is no discussion of the immense value of a tournament like this US Open, where the stars compete for glory that also pays very well.
US Open qualifier.
Follow EL PAÍS Deportes on Facebook and Twitteror sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.