Rick Reilly Talks New Golf Book, Mickelson, LIV vs PGA Tour & more with Rich Eisen | Full Interview

Author and award-winning golf writer Rick Reilly joins Rich Eisen in-studio where he explains how Phil Mickelson went from one of his favorite players to ruining his legacy after joining the Saudi-backed LIV Tour, what the PGA Tour must do to stem defections to the upstart rival league, and touts his new book ‘So Help Me Golf: Why We Love the Game,’ and shares his favorite stories about golfing with Hall of Fame announcers Al Michaels and Vin Scully and much more.
Watch the Rich Eisen Show, an Emmy-nominated sports talk show, streaming live on NBC's Peacock, Audacy, and SiriusXM Ch. 85 Monday through Friday, noon--3 PM ET.
Showcasing Rich Eisen’s uncanny ability to blend insightful sports expertise with an offbeat mix of humor and pop culture, The Rich Eisen Show attracts the most recognizable names in sports and entertainment.
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[@igoddard1]

First time hearing Rick Reilly, I'm in the UK and not everything makes it across the pond, love these sporting stories and anecdotes, brilliantly entertaining

[@eliwoods5583]

Yeah he’s great. Very sharp and witty. He always makes terrific observations.

[@eliwoods5583]

You could take what he says and apply it to Newcastle haha

[@fishmojo865]

Rich, you are the best interviewer, bar none! Thanks for what you do.

[@paulwilliams5500]

What Rich said about the back page of the SI issues was my exact thought when I saw him here. Bravo.

[@Lance-yl5sz]

Wow, really interesting comments from Rick. Putting humanity before a game and money. Thank you for your views.

[@pisces010365]

OMG, I am laughing so hard at the story of calling the Rockies game and the line "La Quinta Hotels, that's Spanish for next to Denny's". I had already requested the book as a gift, now I might just order two to give some away. Love your work RR!

[@MrSharper802]

Always thought Rick Reilly was a bit full of himself and not as funny as he thinks. But love that he calls Dustin Johnson dense.

[@petebigner151]

My sentiments exactly!

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Do you love that? I think it's low. Poor Rick. His book is obsolete just as it hits the shelves, so he starts insulting the very guys who allow him to make a living writing about golf. Can you say LOSER?

[@gabelasry221]

@@sportsmediaamerica exactly lol, I’ll be dense and worth a cool 300 million. Way too far of a shot in my opinion. Use logic to present your ideas

[@harbinguy1]

Your thought is correct!

[@natemeyer4980]

What a fantastic and entertaining interview he's always been one of my faves.

[@rahult1826]

Reilly should keep away from providing his opinion and write books.

[@alarmservicepros]

why? The dude makes stuff up and no one that's anyone believes his lies.

[@mattmershon3542]

The season ending Liv Tour Trophy should be a Hack Saw and a Barrel. Sums up how I feel about it.

[@dkobrossi]

what a great interview! just ordered the book.

[@gordon4221]

John Rahm and his wife asked themselves the question would their lives change if offered the amount of money being banded around - the answer was NO. They are contented with what they have and John wants to compete in meaningful golf tournaments. Enough said....

[@Safetyman99]

Good to know. I was hoping Rahm wouldn't join the Bloody Hands Tour.

[@linkbelt111]

@@Safetyman99 The PGA Tour contributes greatly to the “bloody hands” tour, do a little research, over 20 of the PGA Tour’s MAIN sponsors do business with the PIF, it’s not just LIV….

[@linkbelt111]

C‘ mon Rick, tell the whole story. Tell about the PGA Tour and over 20 of their MAIN sponsors doing billions of dollars of work with the Saudi’s …..HYPOCRITE!

[@Safetyman99]

@@linkbelt111 Not sure if that's true... could be. But I think another part of this is that the PGA Tour wants to protect the players that work hard every week just to make the cut. A LIV player, if allowed to play PGA events, could potentially take a spot from a guy who would otherwise qualify. That's not really fair, is it?

[@maureen3626]

That is the best interview I've ever heard.

[@MrLee23]

Ricks great a real pleasure to listen to..

[@briankearney7633]

Great Book Great Show and Great Comments

[@jaimeit3507]

They (Saudi Arabia) do all of that, they also fly US fighter jets because guess what, US military private companies take the same "blood" money with the blessings of the US Government, or does someone think these companies are allowed to sell military stuff without the US Government okaying it?

[@tatecole1]

Two of the very best at their craft.

[@linkbelt111]

That bar is set very low!

[@margaretwalsh852]

Rich Eisen is the best there is at letting his guests be themselves.

[@TreyWK]

Great content

[@thands74]

This guy is an amazing story teller

[@caderatliff3712]

What would it have been like with Rick & the late Bob Uecker in the same room after a few beers ...

[@benny1904]

@@caderatliff3712 bob uecker isnt dead

[@caderatliff3712]

@@benny1904 Doh! _(thank you for the correction)_ ... Then someone should make that pub event happen and stream it!

[@bookbarbros5450]

Rick Reilly is a national treasure! 🤣 Spanish for next to Dennys. 🤣🤣🤣

[@davidhogenmiller248]

Comedians: it takes 1 year to get enough material for a 1 hour special. Rick Reilly: Gimme 30 minutes

[@paulineengle9863]

Now do the NBA

[@chrissnape9537]

Great stuff

[@jayinbrentwood8713]

Definitely sending this to may daughter...Father's Day/Birthday coming up...Hint...Hint

[@AJFar-tm7dn]

Yup, I'm forwarding this to my son who teaches golf down in Florida with the same intent as you. I was reading SI in the 1980s and loved Rick Reilly.

[@MacTeee]

Rick Reilly is killing it!!!

[@AJFar-tm7dn]

Dude, exactly my thoughts. I'm in my sixties and was reading Reilly in the 70s for SI. Every Week for 25 years.

[@jamescpotter]

The POW story is gut-wrenching.

[@mikeelton3686]

My dad is legally blind and hit a hole in 1 now that's a blind shot 😄

[@harbinguy1]

Gary Player is also a Saudi golf backer.

[@shanehowell8169]

Big surprise. He waxes poetic about the good ol' days of apartheid.

[@wa2k99]

Reilly all high and mighty. Spare me

[@enlightenedrogue3871]

Couldn’t agree more - a weakling - toughen up buttercup!

[@jaysantos536]

Curious why NONE of these "angels" have talked about JACK NICKLAUS and HIS involvement in golf with the Saudi's?

[@PbA941]

Love Rick Reilly. Great interview.

[@michaelcurcio4025]

I think the "House of Sod"should help their people first.Give to charities,like the pga does.

[@tp0376]

I was so distracted by his slippers. The dirty money angle is kinda weak. Lots of American companies do business with Saudi Arabia. Does the same standard apply to them. It hasn’t so far.

[@linkbelt111]

All these guys bashing a new golf tour, when most of the PGA Tours main sponsors are doing business with Saudi Arabia. Can hypocrisy get any bigger?

[@TOMVUTHEPIMP]

Anyone who puts gas in their car is doing business with the Ssudis

[@geckobrah4201]

LIV will cause the majors to become even more important, the only events with the best players. Sad for the golf fan.

[@justapedn1]

Love R2

[@ALSNewsNow]

Odd how these guys in the media all seem to have suddenly forgotten about all the Chinese cash they take from NBC Viacom.

[@jameschilders1566]

Reilly doesn't mind Saudi Arabia when he is filling his gas tank.

[@loopba]

SNL should have cold open about Phil

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Better yet, Phil should host!

[@kpop_girl5886]

It is about the golf… I play golf and everyone I talk to thinks LIV is exciting…for golf.

[@notuncertain5556]

Value isn’t there yet to be offering that kind of money in my opinion. This is what speculation betting looks like.

[@brandonmoore9161]

Interesting to listen to Americans speak about Saudi Arabia, DO YOU KNOW WHAT THE UNITED STATES DOES ALL OVER THE WORLD?!?! to listen to adults drinking the kool-aid is crazy.

[@DavidDavid-jb1cy]

We do. And most of us don't share Rick's view.

[@mrladderman]

The USA has the highest population in jails in the entire world

[@m.lymann2185]

4 hole in one is not possible because how would the 6 year old boy knows what brand/line/number of golf balls being used?

[@rogermoroney9868]

Why have suspended players who have not resigned from tour, not removed from FedEx points like resigned ones?

[@krynnC]

Rich and Rick so you buy gas ⛽️? Do you ask were oil/gas comes from ? If you stopping buying gas or oil , then you can be the pariah. Great stories but let people tours compete and let it play out.

[@Runboyrun89]

You’re comparing that to golfers who have banked millions in their lives and want more? Really? We are all hypocrisies but not all liars, our motivations there are cheaper gas. These golfers who are taking a bribe to sell a sport but are pretending they “love the new format”. FFS. 🤣

[@danarose6314]

The Masters would take Saudi money-so no problem there.

[@tomrichardson9799]

No one says anything about corporate raiders breaking up companies and sells off the parts. Everyone in golf all of a sudden has a social conscience. NBA in China 🤔 your stock portfolio doing business in Saudi Arabia etc. your values do not hold up in a capitalist world.

[@akaaxelrod1023]

These two are hypocrite! There's nothing noble about you two now. Hey what about FedEx business in Saudi? Saudi to FedEx to PGA = Saudi to LIV to Golfers.

[@petebigner151]

Thank you.....just about every sponsor the PGA has trips over themselves too get a crack at the Saudi ATM machine.

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Plus Nike using Uyghur slave labor in China, while PGA players been playing in China for years. Rory wearing Nike gear. LeBron too. The hypocrisy is everywhere but lefty media refuses to man up.

[@xandaocho]

Please common sense. Why LIV can not coexist with PGA. LET them play...for love of the gane. It is just a game. Most importante....For the FANS. If PGA wants to address Human Rights and ETC. Why PGA is in CHINA...????

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Exactly! But holier-than-thou media guys like Eisen and Reilly and Chamblee somehow don't get it.

[@seeaboutagirl2]

Radio stations.. 😁

[@eddiestorey9633]

Phil had to go to LIV if he’s giving bum’s a grand and gambling 40 mil away in 4 years

[@trujr5295]

Before LIV has there ever been a Pro golfer from Saudi A that wasn't allowed to play in the PGA ? bet you he would qualify and no one would have brought anything up.

[@blessembreaks]

This guy’s ego is as big as those Saudi wallets

[@Jpravenfan98]

“He’s very right-wing, even though this has nothing to do with right wing politics.” Lol what an absolute clown Rick Riley is.

[@7884golfguru]

Liv will grow you watch

[@calvinhenshaw2147]

tiger has always done this make money for him self at the expense of the PGA.

[@johntobin9375]

Reilly, MR. SENSITIVE LEFT-WINGER, just said, “…. And give his umbrella to a BUM…“

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Ha ha! Perfect. Talk about hypocrisy and phoniness.

[@ugaais]

Where is the outrage about China and the NBA

[@calvinhenshaw2147]

Not all Saudis are bad. what a racist thing to say.

[@trujr5295]

Isn't Biden in Saudi A now having lunch ??

[@axlapointe]

LIV is taking the same approach MIXER did lop

[@jamesrobinson1557]

Funny how the crimes in this country are ignored and or justified....We give as good as we get or better so get off your soap box...

[@1984LHR]

Show him 1B and I’m sure he will roll over.

[@sjmac9737]

Stop! Until you all stop burning Saudi oil. This is stupid.

[@getdat]

So will the the masters invite with open arms let Angel Cabrera once he gets released from the Argentina prison for kidnapping and torture? Really

[@Safetyman99]

The only way the Masters won't allow former winners into the tournament is if one of those players disparages the tournament, even a little and/or unintentional (i.e., Gary McCord).

[@pjpredhomme7699]

Its a good question , never happened before . I would hope not but as you are inferring he is entitled to his exemption

[@Powersparky59]

This bozo is beyond annoying all tradition is gone in nfl and nba now its pga tuen to have to ditch tradition its just the way it is

[@shaystern2453]

is this hair transplants or what?

[@terrymax2208]

Rich back tracking really quick saying he wudent take the billion 10 seconds later... Knowing he wud become a meme an history wud be logged that he wud take the money... The producer's quickly telling him to say !!! NO I WUDENT DO IT hahahah fake guy rich.. loves fame at he's age still.. weirdo

[@Powersparky59]

Am i blocked or something my comments about this bozo and pga and liv i dont see them

[@alphaomega7433]

LIV Golf 4 Lyfe💯

[@Powersparky59]

I love when rich people say the money dont meen anything to them what a joke

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Who said that? They never said that. Maybe Eisen said it! LOL.

[@bkashford13]

Then we have a Pariah government buddy!

[@bkashford13]

Fans don't care about the same thing you old guys care about. In 2022 it's all about the money.

[@phillipthompson6261]

Lies

[@Shawnyp1974]

Does Rick wear clothes made in China?

[@abelnightroad5162]

I think only reason why Rich covers this topic its more about him being Jewish and Saudi Arabia is Muslim country, we all know all that tense things that happens there for that reason. or he is just hypocrite and want to ruin people who get their money from Saudi but dont condemn same thing that Usa doing for oil and military stuff with Saudi as main ally

[@mrasmussen5506]

Stop with the politics already.

[@SuperWhofan1]

What do you think this issue is about? Golf? It’s Saudi Arabia! Are you dense

[@danielking2677]

Does light bend around you too?

[@nufcedkidyup8627]

Everything, for the next 10-20 years, will be political.

[@pjpredhomme7699]

what exactly was political? because he spoke about Saudi arabia? it is the story

[@sportsmediaamerica]

Ask Christine Brennan, USA Today chief rabble rouser and PBS/NPR lefty shill. They let her in to pressers and all she does is ask political questions.