The ability to agree or disagree with the viewpoints expressed in each edition of Par Talk is a wonderful thing, and it is encouraged. What is not up for debate every Monday when the column appears on your screen is a lack of honesty. This week, we are being completely honest about LIV Golf and the attention it garnered this weekend in Mexico.
LIV was not the only golf tournament that played 54 holes this past week. The AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am was cut short due to inclement weather in the area on Sunday and Monday, resulting in Wyndham Clark winning the 54-hole event. Clark’s victory, along with his impressive 12-under par 60 on Saturday, is just another example of his exceptional performance.
Viktor Hovland also competed at Pebble Beach, but you may not have noticed. He will not be participating in this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open, adding another layer to the intriguing story of the Norwegian golfer at the start of 2024.
On Friday afternoon, I was genuinely intrigued and excited for the first round of LIV’s season opener in Mayakoba. This is not something I could have said in the past two seasons. I expected my interest to wane after a few hours of watching the broadcast and then giving the event minimal attention over the weekend.
But that did not happen. I found myself checking the leaderboard throughout the day, reading more tweets about the LIV event than ever before, and being aware of the standings heading into the back nine on Sunday. These were all new experiences for me, and it seems like I was not alone in giving more attention to LIV than ever before, based on the discussions on Golf Twitter.
The eventual winner, Joaquin Niemann, shooting a 59 on Friday and the impending severe weather at Pebble Beach certainly contributed to LIV’s success. However, I do not believe it was the sole reason for people paying close attention to the events unfolding in Mayakoba.
There are two simple yet crucial factors at play here. LIV’s addition of Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, and other well-known names to an already impressive group of players has compelled golf fans and media members to take notice. When you have two top-tier players competing in a field of just 54 players, the leaderboard is bound to be intriguing throughout all 54 holes. This was evident in Mexico, and people enjoy watching big-name players battle it out.
The keyword here is “watching.” Despite the jokes about LIV being streamed on YouTube and broadcast on the CW Network, the league actually allows fans to watch golf shots. With no commercials interrupting the broadcast, viewers get to see every shot played by the leaders, uninterrupted by advertisements or interviews. This is a refreshing change for casual golf fans who simply want to watch the game.
When it comes to the players themselves, LIV has an advantage over the traditional Tour in terms of personality. The top players in LIV have more charisma than their counterparts on the Tour, and this appeals to a broader audience, particularly casual golf fans. You don’t have to like a player’s personality to be intrigued by them. LIV also has the freedom to promote its personalities without worrying about sponsors or overshadowing other players, given the smaller field size.
While watching Niemann defeat Sergio Garcia in a playoff on Sunday evening, I found myself pondering whether I would be watching the LIV finish or the conclusion of the event at Pebble Beach if the broadcasts overlapped. The fact that this question crossed my mind shows that LIV made significant progress this week, building on what it has been steadily developing over the past two years.
Wyndham Clark’s remarkable 60 with a bogey (!!!) on Saturday at Pebble Beach was truly extraordinary. It doesn’t matter that the course conditions were favorable; he played 18 holes at Pebble Beach and completed them in just 60 strokes. The way he was sinking putts, it seemed like the hole was as wide as the Pacific Ocean. Clark took full advantage of the ideal conditions, outperforming all other players on the course.
It is not Clark’s fault that the Tour scheduled a high-profile event in California during the state’s worst weather month, and Mother Nature intervened on Sunday, shortening the tournament. Perhaps Clark’s win at Pebble Beach will finally earn him the respect he deserves.
Before the event, Clark’s odds of winning were 100-1 in some sportsbooks, eventually settling around 80-1 before the opening round. His performance in 2024 had been lackluster so far, but let’s not forget that he won the U.S. Open in Los Angeles just seven months ago.
With his victory at Pebble Beach, Clark has now won three times in his last 13 official starts on Tour, including an appearance at the Ryder Cup. While 13 starts may be a small sample size, three wins cannot be ignored.
Clark’s world ranking has risen to No. 6 following his win, which is quite impressive considering he was ranked 163rd at the end of 2022.
It has been an interesting few months for Viktor Hovland. After a successful 2023 season, winning three times, the FedEx Cup, and helping Team Europe dominate the Ryder Cup, things have slowed down for him.
Hovland’s start to 2024 has been underwhelming, with a T-22 finish at The Sentry and a T-58 finish at Pebble Beach. He has also opted not to participate in early events on the DP World Tour. Additionally, he parted ways with his swing coach Joe Mayo at the beginning of the year, which came as a surprise given Mayo’s influence on Hovland’s short game. Hovland briefly worked with coach Jeff Smith from Memphis before the split with Mayo.
While players often change swing coaches, it is unusual to do so when they are playing their best golf. Adding to the intrigue, Hovland has chosen to withdraw from this week’s Waste Management Phoenix Open. Although he was seen wearing tape on his right wrist at Pebble Beach, indications suggest that he is physically capable of playing in the desert this week.
Mark covers all major sports but keeps a close eye on the world of golf. He holds a degree in journalism and online media from the University of Tennessee, although you can be the judge of his mastery. When he is not working, there is a good chance you will find him on the golf course.