As the far-left sports media works to damage the reputations of LIV Golf’s marquee names, several players on the PGA Tour have basically self-imploded their own images, with a constant stream of attacks on their former colleagues.
There have been several players on the monopolized tour, though, who’ve stayed above the fray, and raised their stature in terms of class and professionalism.
With 18 holes to go in the PGA Tour’s final tournament of the 2022 season, and only the poorly formatted Tour Championship (which no one actually wins) remaining, here are the PGA Tour’s reputational winners and losers, so far.
The Losers
Justin Thomas
Full disclosure: the two-time major winner was one of this writer’s favorites. No longer, though. Somehow, the 29-year-old was convinced to side with the far-left golf media and become a political pawn. On a weekly basis, Thomas chips away at his reputation by smearing his ex tour mates. His arrogance and smug statements have severely tarnished his image.
Rory McIlroy
The clown prince of golf, McIlroy will never live down his prediction of LIV Golf being “dead in the water.” The pampered pint-sized phony lives in a media bubble and has no clue how much he’s despised. The fans rooting against him on Sunday at St Andrews ran about 80-20.
Billy Horschel
The Florida U dunce recently claimed that legends such as Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka were no longer welcome on the tour. This from a guy who, in his mid-30s, owns a single top-10 finish in the majors. Just head shaking.
Davis Love III
A four-major ego with a one-major resume, the company man exemplifies everything wrong with the tour. Recently came up with the brilliant idea to boycott the playoffs if LIV golfers were allowed to play. Then went out and missed the cut at Wyndham.
Will Zalatoris
“Winless Will” is now “One-Win Will,” but has a ruined reputation for talking way beyond his status. When you’re a sophomore on tour with no wins, it’s best to shut your pie hole.
Max Homa
The media’s go-to dope on Twitter lost all kinds of cred after a drive-by smear on Henrik Stenson, who’d posted a heartfelt letter explaining his reasoning for joining LIV. “Snarky, smug and just a pure dick,” said one LIV caddie. We couldn’t agree more.
Tiger Woods
The 15-time major winner has been able to restore his reputation and put his personal baggage in the rear view mirror. But if he thinks he can “rally the troops” and smear former colleagues without that baggage being thrown back in his face, he’s dead wrong. A dumb move!
The Winners
Jordan Spieth
The Golden Child’s flawless brand remains untarnished. Beloved by golf fans of all stripes and players in both leagues. Other than a single bland statement, Spieth has remained mum and lets big mouths like JT and Rory commit reputational suicide.
Adam Scott
The classy Aussie saw his form return to elite level and his stature remained world class as he refrained from saying anything negative about his former tour mates. Regularly seeks to find common ground with the disruptive tour.
Cameron Smith
The uber-talented 28-year-old swiped the Claret Jug from McIlroy and ruined the far-left media’s coronation. Reportedly paid $100 million to join LIV (after the playoffs or Presidents Cup), the Aussie’s status is nearing superstar level. Arguably the best player in the world at the moment and should (but won’t) win the Tour’s MVP.
Patrick Cantlay
The reigning FedEx Cup champion remains hot on the course and cool headed off. Always measured and respectful when answering teed-up questions from the corrupt media, Cantlay is also a critic of the poorly formatted FedEx Cup, which gives him bonus points.
Xander Schauffele
Like Patrick Cantlay – his partner and teammate, Schauffele has avoided the mudslinging. While attack dogs like JT and Rory personally smear their former colleagues, the reigning Olympic Gold medalist always takes the high road, and “hopes for a peaceful unification.”
Bonus Winner
Greg Norman
The 67-year-old Aussie legend ignored the noise and focused on the signal en route to big time battle victories. Pro golf’s most talented commissioner has pulled off the unthinkable – a legitimate rival to the monopolistic PGA Tour. Even better, he embarrassed the corrupt media at every turn, forcing them to admit their smear campaign failed, spectacularly.
I am now on probation. Any more “personal insults” and I’m suspended. Or so I’m told.
-JS
I never pretended to be classy or professional.
-JS
Tiger and Rory now call the shots for the PGA and are copying LIV format. This must have Jay Monahan fuming inside although he wont show it publicly. He has lost all power and control. Armchair commissioner resorting to others calling the shots. What is this tour coming to. Got to hand it to bold and unafraid Greg Norman for his comittment to expanding global golf and opportunity.
“I heard Tiger’s the new commissioner,” joked Patrick Cantlay.
Don’t laugh.
Rumor has the top players pulling off something of a coup. The idea is to launch their own LIV type series (incl teams) of 12-15 events per year, under the PGA Tour umbrella, totally separate from the John Deere Classics and 3M Opens.
Tiger will be the defacto commissioner and play in many of the events. Others include the regulars: rory, jt, etc.
-JS