Brooks, Phil and DJ Talk Returning to PGA Tour. LIV Golf Press Conference in Valderrama Spain

LIV Golf press conference in Valderrama Spain Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson talk about the PGA Tour - Saudi PIF framework agreement and what it means to them going back to the PGA Tour.
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[@SiLoMixMaster]

Cool, calm and collected basically summed up the Phil/Brooks/DJ presser. Phil basically said he's looking 10-15 years into the future with LIV, like you said he is in the driver's seat and seemingly had no interest in rejoining the PGA Tour.

[@ThinkingManShow]

Thx SiLo. Greg has their trust because he’s not lied them. The quickest way to lose your troops is to BS them.

[@SiLoMixMaster]

@@ThinkingManShow Very true, Greg has been straight with them and everything seems like it’s gone as planned so far.

[@4wheelliving132]

@@ThinkingManShow Like when he told them they'd get world ranking points, or when the PGA can't keep them from playing their tournaments. How can anyone watch your show and think you know what you're talking about

[@markhinde6187]

You guys have got so much class, LIV and the unfair crap you guys took (which now is OK with the PGA) really got me into watching Golf

[@jwp2166]

It took LIV to get you "into to" Golf? Right.

[@markhinde6187]

Phil is a Legend, love his educated answer on LIV's future, this is the kind of assurance the fans need, not all the bias we keep hearing from the so called Golfing media who have their own bias

[@palermotrapani9067]

I understand Phil's position, He is a 45 time PGA tour winner. Why should he have to play the same schedule as guys that have not won 20 or more times. Phil does not want have to show up at a new course he has never played or has not played in say 5 or so years per PGA tour rules. He does not want to have to play the pro-ams on Wednesday. Going to play on the PGA tour and grind to make cuts is not what he wants to do at 53 nor what is best for him. Phil shows up now on Monday morning plays a practice round Monday of 9 holes, plays 9 on Tuesday and Wednesday he rests to get ready for Thursday. The LIV allows him 3 guaranteed rounds, does not have to grind to make cuts like he did many, many, many times in his 20's, 30's and 40's. So 14 LIV events equals 42 rounds of golf (10.5 normal PGA events) plus Majors which Phil is trying to continue making an impact on at >50. He already has a PGA and a 2nd at Masters.

[@Macattack11639]

Because you know you gotta trust Phil, it’s not like he did anything dishonest like insider trading right? That’s who I would trust, the guy who cheats for money 😂

[@partsunknown33]

This is youtube's hottest golf channel.

[@ThinkingManShow]

Very kind Metatron!

[@BillSawyerPlus]

anyone else smelling Valderama as a Future Major site?

[@Ball_Striker]

Long story short, Liv's actions are doing the talking.

[@ThinkingManShow]

True. And that’s typically how confident actors behave.

[@danielterry382]

They got Big $$$ up front, and can still play all the Majors, and Maybe Ryder Cup.

[@DanielSong39]

The first change I would make to the PGA Tour would be to get rid of designated events and PIMP money Easiest way to save money

[@benjambm]

Great show!

[@robertbrown7470]

By the way, I was at the Yankees game tonight where the pitcher threw a Perfect Game! How rare now that it is. It's rare that a pitcher throws a complete game anymore.

[@GWills-ys6rd]

Phil Mickelson is one of the most articulate of all legendary golfers, his recent experience dealing with complex politics will make him an ideal trustee or statesman for the game in the future (should he choose to take on such a role). I'm particularly pleased that he answered a question on the seemingly shocking treatment of Henrik Stenson by the Swedish Golf Federation.

[@markhinde6187]

Gregs silence says it all, business as usual guys....

[@ThinkingManShow]

Agreed

[@GolfAfter50]

Poulter's comments on the recent Shiels podcast were totally in line with the press conference comments today as well -- great commentary as always - poor Dark Star! He's missed a big week ha! That deal better be lucrative! His youtube following is missing his input! Good stuff B Team! (also cant wait to hear Billy NASCAR's visionary commentary soon too! lol)

[@ThinkingManShow]

At least Billy Nascar got his little bit of PIP cash. Thx GA50. DStar back 7/5. He will be fined upon his return of course. 😎

[@BidenIsKing]

You should make Dark Star do one push up! This will be his reparations. As we know he has been lounging, sipping on Arak in Bali while listening to Steely Dan!

[@deznoyer9673]

this is a good video for radio!

[@ThinkingManShow]

Thanks Dez. We’ll tell BTeam he has a perfect face for radio.

[@PennyPincherCoins]

I seen that video, people keep saying liv players want to go back which is 100% wrong, NO Liv golfers want to leave Liv. They also said, they really don't have to talk about going back. Phil da Thrill was even saying years from now like 10 years. The PGA really needs to have some kind of deal, Liv needs nothing now, the point and their goals has been made. What was the goal? World ranking and be allowed to play in Majors. Brooks already said, the only thing that matters is the Majors, in a different interview.,,,I seen Cam say too he happy with Liv. my bad forgot to say Great video!

[@craigmoy5428]

I still would love to see 9 teams of 6 ...... representing GB&I, Europe, Africa, LATAM, Oceania (Finau as an occasional ring in to represent Polonesia), Asia, Northerners (mix of Canuks and US from Northern climates like Oregon/NY/NH), Stars and Stripes (potentially California and Florida based squads). Of the 6 teams, there are 2 locks in each, captain and vice captain for a 2 year term, 2 based on OWGR and 2 Captains picks. You could stretch as far as 72 (up to 12 teams) and still do a shot gun that too could be an option. As an Australian my tip for Oceania team one (Smith-C, Scott - VC, Leishman, Day, Finau & Fox, with reserves and rotated to include MW Lee/D Lee)

[@ThinkingManShow]

We would love to see new team names based on geography. LIV Australia at the top of that list. LIV Asia United and right across to LIV Florida captained by Koepka. LIV Spain could be leading the charge this week in fact. We will continue to hope!

[@macheesmo3]

They won, why would they be concerned?

[@Macattack11639]

Won what? The case is about 20% decided. Good call though.

[@craigmoy5428]

I am a huge LIV fan having gone to 3 events in 3 countries thus far, I hope LIV thrives but I would like to see it become appropriately functional/compatable with PGAT/DP/Asian/Sunshine/Korea/Japan/Australasian tour. I do hope it becomes a top star tour of mega events, with 10-20 personality stars like Phil, Bubba, Louis, Poulter etc being guaranteed starters, but that it does take in and rotate a number from PGAT's top 30 from the world tour (or by invite of team captains). Played as 8/12 super events would be awesome, going back to 72 holes to take out that carry-on for OWGR, but 54 players via shotgun probably is a workable compromise. The 8 events should be OUS, which also spreads the season better (as LIV does now, taking advantage of Singapore/Thailand, Australia, South Africa and the middle east to not load the june-aug window), the 4 US LIV events could replace current US events. I think it would be sad if they are too separated, does not make a lot of sense to have LIV events in the USA and PGAT. The LIV concept and 90% of its innovations, such as teams, shot gun, merchandise, corporate franchises etc all are awesome, but it should be the elevated level of the tour rather than a separate entity splitting the best players until the majors.

[@robertschissler1236]

On one of the PGA pod casts that said LIV would be good next year because Jay was in charge. I had to laugh they say what they hope will happen. Jay is gone and I told them in two years LIV will be what everybody is watching. Can’t wait till Friday I work as a Marshall at a golf course in KC and majors and LIV are what people say they like. The team concept is great PGA trying desperately to copy LIV

[@leewilliams4990]

Hey. PIF is going to be in control, the pga players will not have any voice in the new set-up.

[@robertbrown7470]

When will you get an exclusive interview with Greg Norman?

[@Juddly05]

I have heard Cam Smith talk about “HE” his excellency calling him prior to the announcement.

[@Kevin-l4]

Best one iv heard its a great joke too, is that brooks will be fined say 40 mill to go back to the tour 🤣🤣🤣🤣yeah right !!!

[@SiLoMixMaster]

Probably closer to 40 grand than 40 million 🤣 the DP World Tour players were fined 100 grand, so it will probably be along those lines, maybe slightly more. The PGAT players who 'stayed loyal' will be pissed when they find this out and also the fact they won't be compensated for even a fraction of what LIV were offering them and to be honest why should they - they didn't take the risk so they shouldn't get the reward. I believe DJ resigned from the PGAT before joining LIV, so he won't be fined anything if he ever rejoined (which he said in the presser he won't do anyway)

[@Kevin-l4]

@@SiLoMixMaster they won't be fined one single dime

[@mauricemoore6679]

WELL I WATCH ALL THE LIV GOLF I CAN PGA IS BOARING HARDLY ANY TOP NAMES IN COMPS AND THE STILL WIN YOU KEEP IT UP GUYS LIV IS RIGHT FOR YOU AND ME FAN BIGTIME

[@jimmerhardy]

Where's Dark Star? On the Monahan trail? (Sorry :)

[@ThinkingManShow]

Back on 7/5. Of course he’ll be fined upon his return. 😎

[@jeffmckinnon5842]

I can't blame them for "not wanting" to go back, but it doesn't answer the question of "will they go back" later on when PIF shuts down their financial support. Now that PIF owns the PGA, I'm sure they would like those guys back... Can LIV stand on their own? It is clear that they can't legally get players from the PGA or the DP world tour anymore, so PIF support seems to be somewhat wavering in the face of LIV's future recruitment abilities. I sure hope they saved some money because the PIF, bottomless pit, and the "LIV" logo, could be next on the list.

[@mineshjogia9945]

It's a temp non-solicitation agreement. If deal falls through, you'll see a bunch of players jump to LIV in Jan.

[@thomastrain7311]

They don't own the pga now. There's no deal yet. Ridiculous uneducated comment

[@camojack6293]

Wondering if us Joe Q. Public folks well be able to buy into the team sponsor teams…that would be interesting if the online betting sites will figure out how to sell that….

[@ThinkingManShow]

Crowd funding. Interesting.

[@jhawker2895]

I am guessing that Jay M. used all his power with the TV networks to basically keep LIV off any major tv networks.. I am guessing with this new agreement LIV ( If it continues to live ) will get one of the major golf networks to broadcast there events.. LIV is definitely targeted to a young audience, but if I keep the sound low I can watch LIV on my computer. It's sad that Jay M made such a war out of this new and different type of golf. Many of the top players could have been a part of this type of team golf if J.M. had not told all of his players that he would Lifetime Ban anyone joining LIV... I believe if it played out in the courts Jay M. would have lost on the Lifetime Ban case.

[@jimmerhardy]

Interview takeaway: Phil's the guy you want on your team, not Rory.

[@ThinkingManShow]

Jimmer - Phil has always been helpful to the guys ranked lower than him. Similar to John McEnroe in that way. When the cameras are not around, who is still supporting “the guys”? Phil, Johnny Mac and Greg Norman. We’ll throw Trevino and Player in there too. Reminds us that we’d LOVE to see Trevino and Player captain a LIV team in some event.

[@jimmerhardy]

@@ThinkingManShow Phil is pro golf's new phoenix, at least on Golf Channel or do they still despise him?

[@ThinkingManShow]

Jimmer - golf channel is on life support. Unfortunately the go-to strategy of entertainment personalities when their star is fading is to yell the outlandish at whatever issue they think people under 30 care most about. Pro golf and golf in general needs to find a way to grow a young audience. Not an easy task and at best will take time. Soccer is cheap, simple and anyone can kick a ball. Golf is the opposite. Needs thinking!

[@jimmerhardy]

@@ThinkingManShow Young audiences want 'cool'. Golf is getting cool again.

[@kainzowgroup-seniordigital3763]

These boys are contracted to play for the same investment firm that is going to 'own' the PGA, they are good, yes

[@prestonbacchus4204]

Nobody can be too smug about any of this since it is not a done deal with the potential for a long delay before a deal transpires (if at all).

[@ThinkingManShow]

True Preston. If PIF continues to want a deal though, US Gov will go along for a long list of reasons.

[@prestonbacchus4204]

@@ThinkingManShow Its not clear how things will work out. There are legitimate anti-trust issues at play, and the threat of civil litigation by PGA members to estop the transaction, etc. How long will it all take and what will happen to LIV in the interim?

[@robertbrown7470]

@@prestonbacchus4204 When is the last time the Congress gave a damn about anti-trust issues?

[@prestonbacchus4204]

@@robertbrown7470 The last time it was politically expedient to do so, probably. Antitrust laws are enforced by the Dept. of Justice.

[@ThinkingManShow]

The Saudis just ordered a fleet of Boeing 787s for their new national airline Riyadh Air. Then they ordered GE jet engines with the long term maintenance agreement on top to power those Boeing jets. Just one example of the global deal making we keep talking about. And you believe DC will kill a tiny little 1.5 billion golf deal? DC is chirping because they would like their customary apportionment.

[@thomasjoseph3488]

Any thoughts on Chamblee's latest? Probably a lot!

[@ThinkingManShow]

Thomas - what’s he do? We stopped paying attention to him as he got so far from reality that it was painful.

[@thomasjoseph3488]

@@ThinkingManShow Right! He said the deal will not be consummated. Of course, he is committed to bitter resistance and thus, ultimately, irrelevancy.

[@chuckycheese84]

As usual, nothing but word salad from Chamblee

[@ThinkingManShow]

Was there a KZbin clip of him? Is so, can you share it?

[@thomasjoseph3488]

@@ThinkingManShow kzbin.info/www/bejne/qKG5eZafm6alrLs

[@kainzowgroup-seniordigital3763]

The PGA 'released' the Agreement of understanding, in defense of the fact that Rahm, was very, very close to leaving for LIV, and the PGA needs CASH, I am assuming Jay hates, yes hates Greg, ergo let's not mentioned him at all, ie snub him in the release document, appreciate your thoughts....

[@artoffderidikulous3009]

Couldn't care less who plays where. Took up watching paint dry when the LIV shit started and realized it's way more exciting than watching or listening to millionaires moan and complain about how they're being treated.

[@paulprince5583]

Agree.... don't come back.

[@frslas]

What happens to LIV if the house of Saud decides stop the funding that tour?

[@ThinkingManShow]

If PIF does a 180 on pro golf, then LIV folds and PGAT limps along continuing its post Tiger (and post Phil) decline as audience ages. Ten years from now pro golf is no longer PGAT but rather a player owned entity with smaller money and far fewer events - a return to the pre Arnold Palmer pre-TV era with not much money and narrow audience. Would PIF fund only a failing, business as usual PGAT? Possible but they could have done that 2 years ago without creating LIV. PGAT would have jumped at 1-2 billion two years ago and made PIF a super sponsor. PIF didn’t do that though so we believe they don’t like that strategy.

[@chuckycheese84]

If that happens, i'm sure that LIV can find a new partner/investor in the off-season

[@frslas]

@@ThinkingManShow The PGA "limped" along just fine after Hogan, Palmer, Nicklaus, and will continue long after Tiger. The prize money grew year after year. Ten years from now post PIF is anyone's guess. Pre-PIF, I'd have bet you a fair amount that the PGA would have been just fine. PIF comes along and makes a "business" decision to pay above-market prices to get into golf. Why? As Ricky Ricardo would say, the Saudi's have some 'splaining to do'. To say the PGA was a failing 'business as usual' tour is something I disagree with. So what, LIV comes along with a lot of money and decides to make golf louder, and more hip. Fair enough. Was an offer from PIF made to the PGA pre-LIV and turned away? Who knows. With or without PIF money the PGAT would have been fine. LIV has a long way to go to generate the revenue necessary to justify the investment. If, however, the Saudis decide one golf "investment" (PGAT) is enough and PIF money to LIV goes poof - LIV is dead.

[@ThinkingManShow]

Thanks FR. Pro golf ascended because Arnie came along with the new TV tech. A special combo. Now TV has been killed off by video games, KZbin and myriad other digital choices including Instagram, Tik Tok on and on. Tiger leaving the market along with TV is the opposite of the Arnold Palmer experience. Proof is directly in front of all us. The PGAT reached out to their enemy and asked for them for money.

[@jaydee5447]

This show desperately needs Dark Star

[@bruceroberts1234]

Liv only have a few world class players and down the line will have less and less. Liv will need to keep buying in to stay alive………who cares. It’s all about quality viewing, hope that prevails👍👍

[@nbt3663]

The tour players that didn't go to LIV lost twice! They should be pissed and those who took the risk will win twice.

[@Kevin-l4]

Won't be long before more realise its not just ways for players to go back to tour but it will be players going the other way to . Nobody is saying that and these guys know it 100%

[@raindogred]

mainstream media are so out of the loop. B Team just nailing it this week. i can't watch any other golf pundit channel..they are clueless. Is Tiger quiet because hes been talking to Greg??? Could that be whats coming next??? Tiger joins Liv haha :)

[@ThinkingManShow]

Thx RainDog for the shout out! We gotta do a show on Tiger Quiet. We’ve said already a merging of golf operations is bad for his TMRW Golf. More thinking needed.

[@rodneyneeson1335]

The press conference with Sergio and the head of Valdarama was very interesting.

[@josephcrowley3460]

Did Phil cash in to pay his gambling debts

[@waltvancourt5052]

If LIV continues, no reason to go back, even if purses are reduced.

[@moreme40]

It won’t

[@robertbrown7470]

I'm boycotting the show until Darkstar returns! (just kidding). Where is he?

[@ThinkingManShow]

Hi Robert. Darkstar is telling us he is back from business dealings late this week. But we don’t have a shoot schedule with him until next week - week of 7/10/23. He will be fined of course an appropriate amount for taking a leave of absence and working for someone else. 😎

[@robertbrown7470]

@@ThinkingManShow Thanks for the update!

[@mauricemoore6679]

WELL DO THEY WANT TO GO BACK TO PGA I DONT THINK SO THEY WILL BE PLAYING ALL THE MAJOURS AND THEIR OWN TOURNAMENTS THEY HAVE WHAT THEY WANT AND SEEING THERES NO WORLD NO 1 WHO WANTS TO BE PGA NO 1 WHEN HARDLY ANYONE PLAYS AGAINST THE TOP PGA PLAYERS IT LOOKS LIKE THEY JUST SHARE THEM OUT ANOTHET FIDDLE TOP PLAYERS ALL GET APEARANCE MONY SO THEY WONT ROCK THE BOAT

[@eddiestorey9633]

Why would they want you 😂

[@havadatequila]

LIV is a cherry picked group of guys playing exhibition golf. Good for them they got paid, but if LIV wants to grow, it will have to turn into an entity exactly like the PGA with qualifying requirements, feeder tours. The first generation of LIV players are the only ones that will get fabulously rich off it. It's the golf version of The Line, the idiotic Saudi scheme, def destined to fail, to build a city in the desert. If LIV is around in 10 years, it'll regress to being just be another tour.

[@mineshjogia9945]

People like you have been saying the same thing for over a year now and the exact opposite keeps happening. LIV is not going anywhere, and the PGAT, and others under this newco or partner to the newco will become feeders to LIV going forward and people will get promoted and demoted and each year, there will be a big event when new players get selected for the next year of LIV.

[@havadatequila]

@@mineshjogia9945 That's what I said. LIV will be just another tour. There's no other way to develop new talent.

[@robertbrown7470]

@@mineshjogia9945 It's like, "Well, shut my mouth!" when Phil Mickelson nearly won the Masters or whatever it was. Two of the top three spots were the LIV players. Where was Rory - the greatest golfer alive now? And Books winning whatever tournament that was! Ooop! So much for the LIV nay-sayers. Oh, they only play 54 holes - they can't compete! "Well, shut my mouth!" But there are some that continue as if reality had not already set in.

[@mineshjogia9945]

@@robertbrown7470 Totally agree

[@blakepriebe5463]

Pga. A severely prejudice old boys club. Love to see it collapse.

[@ThinkingManShow]

Thx Blake.

[@godsdozer]

Go Saudi ! Thats the globalist way!

[@peteryates7505]

The rhetoric here is soooo amusing…neither tour will be successful unless LIV actually get sponsors and Tv and PGA don’t lose what they have….neither are succeeding here all while the market is losing interest in the events

[@ThinkingManShow]

Thank you Peter. True - the enemy of pro golf is lack of interest. PGAT is beyond fortunate that there’s one investor out there that sees in the sport value that does not include financial return. PIF.

[@kc72186]

​@@ThinkingManShowat this point the only thing that can save the PGA is the PIF money. That is the only reason this merger is happening.

[@peteryates7505]

@@ThinkingManShow Sure but their very presence devalues the role of weekly sponsors and if we are going to have 48 weeks of 'The PIF championship' even that pot will drain quickly as eyeballs and sponsors look away

[@robertbrown7470]

@@ThinkingManShow Agreed. And I seriously doubt they would be putting up a lot of money if they had not already done their homework, projections and all.

[@4wheelliving132]

No reason for LIV to be dead? You're joking right? How about that Mt. Everest pile of money you talked about, which now is on the PGA side. LIV, without the Saudi money is not a self-sustaining tour like the PGA events. Watch a LIV tournament, where are the sponsor banners? Who is the sponsor of the tournaments themselves? 20M prize money for each tournament, plus the cost of setting up and running a tournament. Who is paying for all that? The Saudi's? The way I see it the Saudi's goal was to get into pro golf and the PGA said no, so the Saudi's started LIV and threw a bunch of stupid lawsuits at the PGA knowing full well the PGA couldn't fight these things forever, and then made a offer that the PGA couldn't refuse, and part of that offer was control of LIV. If LIV can't financially support itself how long do think the PGA will keep it going. The Saudi's no longer give a rip about LIV and it's days are numbered. At best it may last one more year

[@ThinkingManShow]

Thanks 4Wheel. You believe PIF is going to hand PGAT a lump sum pile of money? Be the first time in history that an investor does that. Investors put in capital as a series of rounds and each round contingent with their goals (performance metrics) being met by the company.

[@4wheelliving132]

@@ThinkingManShow Did you miss the part where the PIF is part of the PGA and the PGA controls LIV? Like I said, it will all come down to whether or not LIV is a self sustaining entity, if not it will be gone and right now it is not

[@DanielSong39]

@@4wheelliving132 How about PIMP money How about designated events How about FedEx Cup How about the pension funds (presumably raided so Jay can build a bigger headquarters) Please explain how those things are self sustaining

[@macheesmo3]

You don't seem to understand how business works, but more importantly, the mentality of the Saudis. They are prideful, stubborn and rich beyond imagination. Not to mention the team sponsorships are being negotiated right now. (Or have been already in the case of the Majesticks) LIV isn't going away.

[@4wheelliving132]

@@macheesmo3 1 year

[@danielterry382]

Greg has had his image ruined.

[@fittrad3r687]

According to whom? You and Brandy Chamblee? 🤡🐑

[@matthewmp111]

@@fittrad3r687 He didn't say Greg ruined his image; he said he has had his image ruined. I can't disagree. They've (The mainstream golf media) done a number on him.

[@robertbrown7470]

He whose laughs lasts, laughs last. Or don't count them chickens before they are hatched. Or don't jump the gun. Etc. Greg and Phil and others know the PGA like the back of their hand. Do you think they foresaw Jay and his antics. Read him like a book that had already been published. And maybe not just them but other powers that be on the PGA side. Useful to let Jay do what they had to know he was going to do? What's the word: transparent? The letter Jay wrote was the proof, the whip cream and cherry on top. Very doubtful that was any surprise to Greg Norman or Phil.

[@morgonz]

@@matthewmp111 Greg is being treated that way just in the USA media. In the rest of the world he is treated like a king. I attended the LIV event in Mayakoba and he was constantly smiling. I imagine he being treated that way in every overseas event.

[@matthewmp111]

@@morgonz Yeah, it’s a sad state of affairs when a legend like Norman can’t show up at Augusta and other venues

[@garybenedetti2558]

How easily some people forget liv never alive players are dead.

[@jwp2166]

A show about these guys talking and yet not piece of tape of them actually talking? Fooled me once....

[@NZFarmboy80]

It's on the LIV KZbin page, it'd be copyright infringement if they showed it

[@ThinkingManShow]

Showing copyright video is a problem. We are considering using audio only in cases like this press conf. Working on it.

[@jamestaylor5231]

You yap to much