Pat Perez Archives - Golf Digest Middle East

LIV Golf’s Pat Perez is making a big career transition

Golf Digest Middle East — Tue, 28 Jan 2025 04:40:20 +0000

Pat Perez’s run with the 4Aces is coming to an end, but a new gig within LIV Golf is just beginning.

The league announced on Monday that the longtime tour pro is trading in his clubs for a microphone. Perez will now be part of LIV’s broadcasts as an on-course analyst.

The career transition comes just as LIV is transitioning from the CW to its new broadcast partner, Fox Sports.

“I’m full-steam on this thing,” Perez said in a statement released by LIV. “I’m really excited to do it. It’s a perfect mid-life restart for me.”

From the course to the booth

Pat Perez is shifting from player to on-course analyst for the 2025 season and will also be involved in pre- and post-round coverage as LIV Golf enters the first year of its multi-year partnership with FOX Sports.#LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/16fxXbhMsi

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) January 27, 2025

Perez is a three-time PGA Tour winner, who has played with the 4Aces since LIV’s inception in 2022. He was part of the squad that won the team championship in LIV’s inaugural season.

The 48-year-old finished 48th in the 2024 LIV individual standings. And his spot on the 4Aces seemed all but gone when Dustin Johnson’s team acquired Thomas Pieters in December. Perez’s player contract ran out at the start of 2025.

Despite the move to Fox Sports, LIV’s broadcast team—led by play-by-play announcer Arlo White and analysts David Feherty and Jerry Foltz—is otherwise staying the same.

Main Image: Getty Images

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The list of LIV golfers in danger of relegation for the 2025 season might surprise you

Golf Digest Middle East — Thu, 12 Sep 2024 04:29:37 +0000

his Sunday, in the suburbs of Chicago, the LIV Golf League is set to crown an individual season-long winner—Jon Rahm and Joaquin Niemann contending for the honour. It’s also set to send a handful of players packing when its individual season draws to a close. Among the notables that are on the bubble include Harold Varner III, Pat Perez and Branden Grace.

LIV Golf Chicago, at Bolingbrook Golf Club, is the 2024 individual finale and the 13th leg of its 54-hole, $25 million circuit. LIV’s team championship will be held next week in Dallas.

As part of its season-long individual race, LIV has developed a promotion-relegation system. The league rewards the top 24 on its individual standings after Chicago with full status for next season if they are not already contracted to the league for 2025. Those who finish between 25th and 48th, and who are at the end of their LIV contracts will be placed in the Open Zone. They become free agents who can be traded, released or re-signed.

Below that is the Drop Zone. After Sunday’s third and final round, players ranked worse than 48th will be sent packing. Drop zoners can play their way back to LIV for 2025 via a 72-hole qualifying school later this year.

While some big names are in, or near, the Drop Zone, they have immunity. LIV’s 15 captains and co-captains, across 13 teams, can’t be relegated. That group includes Phil Mickelson of the HyFlyers (44th), Majesticks co-captain Henrik Stenson (41st), Cleeks captain Martin Kaymer (38th) and RangeGoats leader Bubba Watson, the one captain currently in the Drop Zone at 52nd.

PAUL ELLIS

There are other exemptions from relegation, including those with wildcard status Anthony Kim (56th) is a wild card, as is Hudson Swafford (55th) and Laurie Canter (51st).

Arguably the highest profile player on the outside looking in is Grace. He’s a two-time PGA Tour winner and the owner of the first 62 in a men’s major (2017 Open Championship). The South African member of the Stinger GC team sits 50th on LIV’s standings and will need at least a solo 15th to have a chance to move into the top 48. Grace has not finished better than T-15 on LIV this year.

“As golfers, we all have our ups and downs; it helps being part of a team like this and having these guys,” Grace said in June. “I’ve had some late brain sessions with them on the range trying to help me out and giving me some advice. It’s just one little feeling that you need to get back, and that’s the feeling that gets you from finishing in 45th position to winning again.”

Grace is joined in the Drop Zone by Zimbabwe’s Scott Vincent (49th), who needs at least a solo 20th, while Finland’s Kalle Samooja (53rd) is chasing at least solo 14th and Kieran Vincent, younger brother of Scott, (54th) needs at least solo 13th.

Just inside the Open Zone stand Varner (47th) and Perez (48th), both vulnerable to falling into the Drop Zone with a poor finish in Chicago and movement from those below them in the standings.

LIV Golf individual standings

OPEN ZONE

44: Phil Mickelson 11.93 (Exempt captain)

45: Jinichiro Kozuma 9.60

46: Ian Poulter 9.22 (Exempt captain)

47: Harold Varner III 8.25

48: Pat Perez 7.76

DROP ZONE

49: Scott Vincent 5.90

50: Branden Grace 4.42

51: Laurie Canter 4.30 (Reserve)

52: Bubba Watson 3.66 (Exempt captain)

53: Kalle Samooja 3.40

54: Kieran Vincent 2.47

Main Image: David Cannon

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Patrick Reed and Pat Perez amongst LIV Golfers to tee it up at International Series Macau presented by Wynn

Golf Digest Middle East — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 05:02:51 +0000

Former Masters champion Patrick Reed and 4Aces GC team-mate Pat Perez are the latest big names to sign up for the International Series Macau presented by Wynn. The field is now one of the strongest in the history of the series, with 23 LIV Golf League stars and every tournament winner from last season’s schedule participating.

The inaugural tournament, the second on a 10-event schedule following the highly successful series-opening International Series Oman, takes place at Macau Golf & Country Club from 14-17 March.

Reed, winner of the coveted green jacket at Augusta National in 2018, has played in several events on The International Series schedule in the past two years. The US Ryder Cup star was eager to highlight the ‘exciting’ opportunity and pathway onto the LIV Golf League that the Asian Tour-sanctioned series gives players from all over the world.

Patrick Reed pictured during round one of the Hong Kong Open at the Hong Kong Golf Club

He said: “Watching the game grow, with LIV Golf getting behind The International Series and the Asian Tour, is amazing to see. To be able to come out here and watch those guys now have a pathway to LIV is exciting.

“If they get that opportunity, a shot at making it to the next level, they’re going to be able to grow and hopefully make it to where we are (the LIV Golf League), while at the same time making it to the majors and the big events around the world.”

Tournament winners from last year’s schedule include International Series Order of Merit champion Andy Ogletree, who secured his place on the LIV Golf League this season by clinching top spot in the standings, thanks largely to victories in Qatar and England that made it three in two years along with his first professional title in Egypt in 2022.

Pat Perez pictured during the pro-am event ahead of the PIF Saudi International powered by SoftBank Investment Advisers

Ogletree, who plays on Phil Mickelson’s HyFlyers GC team, will be joined by Takumi Kanaya, the highly-rated Japanese star who finished four shots ahead of Berry Henson and Sadom Kaewkanjana in last season’s International Series Oman at Al Mouj Golf in Muscat.

International Series Thailand champion Wade Ormsby is also confirmed. The Australian carded a final-round 65 to match Chonlatit Chuenboonngam and then held his nerve in a thrilling play-off against the Thai to secure victory at the Black Mountain Country Club.

Kieran Vincent, who made his way onto the LIV Golf League last season by securing one of three spots via the LIV Golf Promotions event in Abu Dhabi, will also be in the field.

The Zimbabwean, who plays on Jon Rahm’s new Legion XIII team, finished one shot ahead of Anirban Lahiri and Kevin Yuan on the KN Golf Links to win the International Series Vietnam last season.

The Spanish LIV Golf league duo of Eugenio Chacarra and David Puig will also feature. Fireballs GC star Chacarra held his nerve to see off Australian Matt Jones in a thrilling 10-hole play-off in the St Andrews Bay Championship, while his team-mate Puig led from wire to wire for an emphatic five-shot victory at International Series Singapore.

Thailand’s Sarit Suwannarut, Ben Campbell of New Zealand and Indian Gaganjeet Bhullar, the final three winners on The International Series last season, are also confirmed.

Suwannarut shot a final round 64 to secure a six-shot win at the Volvo China Open, before Campbell leapfrogged Cameron Smith and Phachara Khongwatmai on the final hole of play to snatch a thrilling victory at the Hong Kong Open.

Andy Ogletree pictured during round four at the Hidden Grace Golf Club during the Volvo China Open

A week later, Gaganjeet Bhullar led from start to finish for a classy five-shot victory at the BNI Indonesian Masters presented by TNE, at the Royale Jakarta Golf Club in Jakarta.

The tournament is the second of 10 elevated events on the Asian Tour that offer increased prize funds, world-class destinations, and a pathway to the LIV Golf League for golfers from all over the globe through the season-long International Series Rankings system.

The International Series Macau presented by Wynn follows the International Series Oman on the schedule and is the fourth event of the Asian Tour season.

Images: Asian Tour / International Series

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Pat Perez shares heartbreaking post about his brother’s death

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 26 Jul 2023 07:07:35 +0000

Jeff Gross

In a heartbreaking post, LIV golfer Pat Perez said his younger brother Mike, who was 43, died on Monday.

“This is the saddest day of my life,” Perez, 47, wrote on Instagram. “My little brother Mikey has passed. I don’t know what to say as I thought this day would never come. We had so much fun together growing up and he was always in my corner. We did everything together. He wanted nothing but my happiness and was so proud of me. He was the life of the party.

“Everyone that knew him loved him and he was always happy and upbeat. It’s hard to believe that I won’t be able to call him anymore and we won’t be able to spend time with each other. He was such a big part of my life and losing him is beyond devastating. I’m really at a loss for words. Gonna be a long life without him in it. I Love you little brother.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Pat Perez (@patperezgolf)

The Perez’s father, Tony Perez, posted about Mike’s death on Twitter and said, “Sleep with the angels my beautiful son. I will miss you forever!”

Sleep with the angels my beautiful son. I will miss you forever! pic.twitter.com/x9Yh2AjTFA

— Tony Perez (@OperationGameOn) July 24, 2023

The cause of Mike Perez’s death has not been disclosed.

Pat Perez ended his post with, “I hope we get to see each other again one day and I hope you find your peace.”

Pat and Mike Perez were high-profile players on the junior golf scene while growing up in San Diego. They both attended Torrey Pines High School, and there is an old family story, told by their dad, that when Pat beat Tiger Woods at Torrey Pines in the 1993 Junior World Championships, the brothers were wrestling on the grass when it came time for Pat to receive his trophy. Mike initially pursued a professional golf career like Pat. But he did not share his brother’s talent. In 2010, he played in one event each on the Korn Ferry Tour and PGA Tour, missing the cut in both.

Pat Perez is a three-time PGA Tour winner who played 515 events on the circuit until he moved over to LIV Golf in 2022.

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Pat Perez’s list of PGA Tour stars who texted him congrats for his LIV success might surprise you

Golf Digest Middle East — Thu, 10 Nov 2022 09:15:00 +0000

By Alex Myers
Many have been led to believe over the past few months that there’s a huge rift between golfers on the PGA Tour and LIV. A real world Jets v Sharks situation unfolding over grass courses instead of paved city streets. Well, according to Pat Perez, that Cold War between these two tours might not be so cold after all.

The always outspoken veteran appeared on the “Son of a Butch with Claude Harmon” podcast this week and he talked about all the support he’s received in the wake of helping the 4 Aces win the inaugural LIV Golf Team Championship. And a couple of the names sending congratulatory texts might surprise you.

Perez told Harmon he received a nice message from Jon Rahm, who has been one of the more vocal opponents of LIV. But maybe that’s not too surprising considering Rahm and Perez both have Arizona State ties, and Rahm has been on a real nice-guy kick of late after helping out Max Homa and his wife with food after the birth of their first child. But then there’s this.

“I got a text from Justin Thomas,” Perez says. “Monday morning. He said, ‘Hey man, I’m so happy for you, congrats.’ That’s pretty cool.”

Like Rahm, Thomas has been very vocal in his support of the PGA Tour v LIV. Very vocal. But he congratulated Perez, who had struggled since joining the new tour, for coming through in the finale at Doral for teammates Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed and Talor Gooch.

That being said, the 46-year-old Perez points out he might draw more of a positive reaction from the anti-LIV crowd because of his particular situation.

“I think people have realised here’s a guy who’s kinda been an average player his whole career, and grinded it out, kept his card forever, and he got a break and he had to show up on Sunday to help his team, and he did,” said Perez, who also listed Webb Simpson and Aaron Baddeley among those PGA Tour pros reaching out. “I think those guys realise I’m not a threat to Justin Thomas or any of those top players. They know I’m not a threat, and they can’t really be mad that I left. I think they were genuinely happy for me. They don’t see me as a threat, they were genuinely happy for me.”

“Justin Thomas is a phenomenal player, phenomenal, and he’s obviously anti-LIV for whatever reasons he is. And that’s fine,” Perez continued. “But the fact that he reached out and congratulated me, I thought that was pretty awesome.”

At least from Perez’s story, it’s possible for PGA Tour and LIV guys to get along.

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Perez set to bring LIV Golf party to Asia for Thailand and Saudi Arabia events

Matt Smith — Fri, 23 Sep 2022 08:59:33 +0000

By Matt Smith
Following Cameron Smith’s sensational triumph at Rich Harvest Farms outside Chicago, LIV Golf has truly brought the party to the golfing world.

The 54-hole, no-cut, shotgun extravaganza heads to Asia for the final two main-season events in Thailand and Saudi Arabia in October.

First up to the stop at Stonehill Golf Course in Bangkok on October 7-9 before the inaugural series wraps up its individual season at Royal Greens Golf & Country Club in Jeddah from October 14-16. The Team Championship concludes at Trump National Doral Miami at the end of the month.

Dustin Johnson leads the individual standings and his 4 Aces team of Patrick Reed, Pat Perez and Talor Gooch has thrived in the upbeat atmosphere. In Chicago, the team earned its fourth consecutive team trophy thanks to Reed’s final-round 68 — including two chip-ins for eagle and birdie — a 69 from Perez, and a birdie putt for 70 from captain Johnson on the last hole. Their final score of 24-under overall placed them one ahead of the Smash team of Peter Uihlein, four-time major winner Brooks Koepka, his brother Chase and Jason Kokrak.

The 4 Aces praised the fans for the atmosphere they have brought to the tournaments throughout the season, with Johnson labelling the supporters ‘unbelievable’.

“The fans have been amazing at every event,” added Perez. They are behind us, they’re for it. They get to see top players every day. You’re getting top players to compete every day. It is incredible, and the fan support has been amazing out there every week.”

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‘I am behind LIV 100 per cent’ says Pat Perez after opting out of lawsuit against PGA Tour

Matt Smith — Sat, 20 Aug 2022 12:12:18 +0000

By Tod Leonard
Pat Perez has said he removed himself from the lawsuit that LIV Golf players have brought against the PGA Tour.

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, Perez said: “I have no ill feelings toward the PGA Tour or any of the players. I’m a LIV guy 100 per cent. I’m going to play for them. But I don’t feel any need to go after the PGA Tour. They gave me a wonderful opportunity for 21 years. I’ve got nothing against them, no hard feelings toward anybody. I earned everything I got out there, don’t get me wrong.

“I chose to leave and I’m not looking to come back. I’d like to maybe play the Champions Tour one day if that can work out and that’s why I have not given up my membership. But there is no benefit to doing this. I have an unbelievable deal with LIV and I’m behind them 100 per cent.’’

Eleven players were originally part of the lawsuit, but now Perez and Carlos Ortiz have opted out. On Thursday US District Judge Beth L Freeman set a tentative date for summary judgment for July 23, 2023, where the PGA Tour will likely seek to dismiss the case, with a trial date expected to begin on January 8, 2024.

Only four years away from being eligible for PGA Tour Champions, Perez signed a four-year deal with LIV earlier this year, and in the two tournaments he’s played, the 46-year-old has earned just over $1.8 million.

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LIV Golf Invitational Series: New boy Carlos Ortiz leads the way in Portland from Dustin Johnson and Pat Perez

Matt Smith — Fri, 01 Jul 2022 08:26:21 +0000

By Matt Smith
New face Carlos Ortiz was the toast of Portland on Thursday as the Mexican upstaged Dustin Johnson to take a one-stroke lead at the LIV Golf Invitational Series.

WATCH: All the action live from Portland

The 31-year-old shot an impressive five-under 67 to lead American 2016 US Open and 2020 Masters champion Johnson in the second of the Saudi-backed series events.

Another new boy and fan favourite Pat Perez it T3 on three-under alongside Japan’s Hideto Tanihara and Branden Grace — the South African finished third in London last time out.

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London runner-up Hennie Du Plessis is T6 on two-under with debutant Brooks Koepka and Australian Wade Ormsby.

Just like in London, there was a festival atmosphere in Oregon as a trio of US Navy Seals parachuted onto the course ahead of the shotgun start, each bearing the Stars and Stripes flag for all to see and confirm LIV Golf’s arrival in the US at Pumpkin Ridge. A bald eagle flew over the driving range and fans chanted U-S-A! (It is Fourth of July weekend, after all.)

The players have been clear in their justification for being here: “I’m here to play golf and entertain the fans. The fans on-site wanted to watch the golf, and they wanted to be entertained. There were fathers and sons. Couples, young and old. Families with young children. It was a similar line from the fans as the players: We’re here to watch the golf.”

There was, however, one isolated incident. On his first hole of the day, Brooks Koepka missed a four-foot putt. A fan yelled “That’s what you get for playing here!” His playing partners and their caddies feared it would be the beginning of an onslaught of heckling. It was the only chirp they heard all day.

Leaderboard

1 Carlos Ortiz (MEX) -5
2 Dustin Johnson (USA) -4
T3 Pat Perez (USA) -3
T3 Hideto Tanihara (JPN) -3
T3 Branden Grace (RSA) -3
T6 Brooks Koepka (USA) -2
T6 Hennie Du Plessis (RSA) -2
T6 Wade Ormsby (AUS) -2

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What Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and the rest of the new LIV golfers said in their first pressers

Golf Digest Middle East — Wed, 29 Jun 2022 08:52:23 +0000

Brooks Koepka during practice prior to the LIV Golf Invitational – Portland at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club. LIV Golf

By Dan Rapaport
For Greg Norman and LIV Golf, Tuesday’s press conferences are a victory lap of sorts — an opportunity to show off six big-name golfers they have signed up from the PGA Tour. This being the first time Bryson DeChambeau, Matthew Wolff, Abraham Ancer, Brooks Koepka, Pat Perez and Patrick Reed have addressed media regarding their decision, nearly every question has been a version of the same core quandary: Why did you do it?

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Money, of course, is the chief driver here, and it’s the main reason those six are in Oregon. But it is not the only reason.

Bryson DeChambeau

Bryson DeChambeau speaks to the media in Portland. LIV Golf

The crown jewel of this recruiting class, DeChambeau was efficient with his words, disciplined in the scope of his comments. He stayed on message, and his agent, Brett Falkoff, gave him a pat on the back after he walked out of the media centre. Job done. It was a noticeable departure from DeChambeau’s rambling exchanges back in his PGA Tour days, before he stopped talking to writers due to perceived slights. It’s as if someone finally got through to Bryson to tell him that this is what he should say, and that he does not need to say anything else.

DeChambeau talked about his entrepreneurial spirit, his desire to use the money to give back to the communities in his hometown in California and to build a multisport complex in Dallas, where he currently resides. He spoke of the freedom the schedule gives him to rest and to pursue his own content-making opportunities on YouTube. DeChambeau said he wants to focus on “moving on,” “looking forward” and using the game as a force of good — almost verbatim to Phil Mickelson’s answer to this question.

“I understand people’s decisions and their comments and whatnot,” DeChambeau said. “But as it relates to me, I’ve personally made that on my own as my own decision. And I won’t say any more on that because there’s no need. We’re golfers at the end of the day. And I think that I respect everybody’s opinion, that’s the most important thing.

“But golf is a force for good and I think as time goes on, hopefully people will see the good that they’re doing and what they’re trying to accomplish.”

DeChambeau also said he tried multiple times to get onto the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council to work on changing the tour from the inside, but he was not successful. He said he did not know what the PGA Tour could’ve done to avoid his departure but did say he has not resigned his membership and hopes to play both tours.

WATCH: All the action live from Portland

Matt Wolff

Matt Wolff. Sean M. Haffey

Wolff seemed the most genuine of the bunch. He is a different cat, not afraid to discuss his challenges with life on the road and the cold competitiveness of the PGA Tour. He said he felt isolated, depressed, dejected. He simply hasn’t been happy for long stretches, and he seems to view LIV as a much lower-stress option to the life he lived 12 months ago. Wolff absolutely loved his time at Oklahoma State — he has said he regrets leaving Stillwater early, and spent most of his time there during his hiatus from the game last year — and revelled in the team environment. He is a deeply social person, perhaps not cut out for the rugged individualism of the PGA Tour. He knows that, and he’s OK with that.

“I just think that like this just gives us such a good opportunity and getting back to (why I joined),” Wolff said. “You’re going to try so hard for your team and it just gives you so much more opportunity to enjoy yourself and have little small wins and feel good about yourself rather than shoot 75 on Sunday (and feel like) I could’ve played better, I could have done this, I could have done that.”

Abraham Ancer

Abraham Ancer. Sam Greenwood

Ancer fancies himself an entrepreneur. He co-launched a successful drinks company with Mark Wahlberg and has his eyes on other business projects. The influx of cash, he said, coupled with a lighter tournament schedule will allow him to live a balanced life between his golf, his family and his business. All three players spoke of the lighter schedule, though LIV is expected to expand to a 14-event schedule for 2024, and all three said they’re keen on continuing to play the majors, which would bring the total to 18.

“I actually made a list of a lot of pros and cons and it wasn’t definitely an easy decision,” the Mexican said. “If it was just a business decision then yeah, it was extremely easy, right? But now it’s came down to quality of life. And I felt like in the last two or three years I’ve been giving my all to golf and business outside of golf as well. So I haven’t really had a life outside of golf in business. So I feel like I haven’t seen my family that much. So yeah, just talk to everybody that’s close to me and kind of put the cards on the table.”

Ancer was also pressed on whether he’s worried that his golf game will suffer now that he’s not playing against PGA Tour competition every week and dealing with a 36-hole cut. He brushed that one aside, suggesting he’s way too competitive a person to simply go through the motions in any competition.

Brooks Koepka

Brooks Koepka. LIV Golf

Koepka, who said did not have discussions with LIV Golf until after the US Open, took a rather combative and dismissive tone throughout his 30 minutes at the podium. When asked what changed from when he vehemently supported the PGA Tour, he simply said “my opinion”. When asked to give specifics on that, he declined. When asked if he’s concerned about future access to the majors, he said that playing well will take care of itself but didn’t seem too bothered either way: “I made a decision,” he said. “I’m happy with it, and whatever comes of it, I’ll live with it.” The most illuminating part of his presser came when he discussed his injuries and how the lighter schedule will benefit his worn-down body.

“I came back to play three weeks after surgery on a knee where they’re like you’re not going to play for six months,” Koepka said. “Just because I didn’t feel like I was going to miss the whole season next season. It was just bad timing. Where now, I mean, got, what, seven more events to play? I mean, you’re not doing a month on the road anymore. You know, life does go on even though when we’re not playing golf. So being away from home for a month. I don’t have any kids that I know about. So being at home is not really a thing for me, but life does go on. And like there’s some things we miss at home, being friends, family, a lot of birthdays. It would just be nice to be home a little bit more. I think that’s a big thing that everybody, every one of these 48 players will say the same thing.”

Patrick Reed

Patrick Reed. Ben Jared

Reed, wearing a LIV Golf hat, said he had resigned his membership from the PGA Tour. Reed also did not shy away from criticising Ponte Vedra. He was asked what the tour could’ve done to keep him and said “listen to the players for once”. He said the FedEx Cup schedule forced him to play for weeks on end and of the burnout that comes with multiple weeks on the road.

“We have a smaller schedule,” Reed said of LIV. “We actually have an off season where not only can we get healthy, work on our bodies, but we’re basically allowing ourselves throughout the year to, you know, try to peak at the right times is when you’re playing rather than feeling like you have to play every single week. And on top of it, just the quality of life for us as players now, you know, having less events, being able to spend more time at home with the family, if you have kids, being able to spend time with your children, and not sitting there and having to play three, four weeks in a row, then have a week off, and during that week off you’re preparing trying to get ready for the next week. You’re able to actually now set out a schedule, go out and put all you have in every single event. You’re not having to conserve energy ever.”

Interestingly, he suggested a shotgun start is the best way to identify a champion because everyone is playing at the same time.

Pat Perez

Pat Perez. Robert Laberge

Perez kept it real: he’s 46, he’s played over 500 events on the PGA Tour, and for him, this is like “winning the lottery”. He will play much less than he did for the past two decades and he will make more money.

“I’m a 30- to 33-week guy,” he said of his past PGA Tour schedule. “Every year I’ve done it and now I don’t have to. And I get to be with them. I get to be with my family. At my age this is an absolute golden opportunity for me. I get to play. DJ is my captain. I get to play seven this year and whatever else in the future. It’s a no-brainer for a guy my age that’s been on the road. I just had three weeks off. I feel great. I couldn’t be more excited about this, and that’s the bottom line.”

He spoke passionately against the PGA Tour’s handling of the situation and said he has not resigned from the PGA Tour because he feels he has done nothing wrong, and that he should be able to play on the PGA Tour Champions when he turns 50.

“(Jay Monahan) doesn’t listen to the players. Somehow the tour they keep talking about, oh, yeah, we work for you, we work for the players, we work for the players. It’s the opposite. Seems like we work for them. We don’t have a say in anything.”

Perez drew perhaps the only laugh in a very tense room when he said that “at world No. 170, I’m not concerned about the majors”.

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LIV Golf: Top stars DeChambeau, Koepka, Ancer and Reed set for debut in Portland as new captains announced

Matt Smith — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 13:30:53 +0000

Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau

By Matt Smith
LIV Golf has announced the global field of players and the 12 team captains that will tee off at the second tournament of the season, the LIV Golf Invitational Portland, taking place June 30-July 2 at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Oregon.

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Among the headline players making their LIV Golf debuts are four-time major champion and former world No. 1 Brooks Koepka, 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau, 2018 Masters champion and Ryder Cup star Patrick Reed, and international sensation and current world No. 20 Abraham Ancer. Pat Perez, a fan favourite who boasts 74 top-10 finishes including four professional wins, and Yuki Inamori, a four-time winner on Japanese tours with 39 top-10 finishes as a pro, also make their bows.

Three weeks after LIV Golf’s historic launch at Centurion Club in London, the Portland field will showcase nine of the last 21 major winners, four former world No. 1 players and nearly half of its competitors currently ranked in the top 100. The global field represents 12 different countries and a combined 20 major titles, as well as future stars of the game who earned an NCAA National Championship, US Amateur Championships and professional tour wins among their accomplishments. Players will compete for $25 million and the chance to become the second individual and team champions for LIV Golf.

Charl Schwartzel, Hennie Du Plessis and Branden Grace on the podium in London

WATCH: All the action live from Portland

Players confirmed for the LIV Golf Invitational Portland

Abraham Ancer, MEX, Rank: 20, Three professional wins
Richard Bland, ENG, 69, Two career wins
Itthipat Buranatanyarat, THA, 607, Three wins on the Asian Development Tour
Laurie Canter, ENG, 122, One professional win
Bryson DeChambeau, USA, 30, Major champion; 10 professional wins
Hennie Du Plessis, RSA, 134, Three professional wins; runner-up at LIV Golf Invitational London
Sergio Garcia, ESP, 59, Major champion; 36 career victories
Talor Gooch, USA, 39 Two professional wins
Branden Grace, RSA, 125, 14 professional wins
Justin Harding, RSA, 114, 11 professional wins
Sam Horsfield, ENG, 77, Three professional wins
Yuki Inamori, JPN, 106, Four professional wins
Dustin Johnson, USA, 16, Former World No. 1; Two-time major champion
Matt Jones, AUS, 72, Four professional wins
Sadom Kaewkanjana, THA, 119, Former Asian Tour Order of Merit leader (2 wins)
Martin Kaymer, GER, 224, Former World No. 1; Two-time major champion
Phachara Khongwatmai, THA, 136, Youngest player to win pro event (2013)
Sihwan Kim, USA, 137, Two Asian Tour wins
Ryosuke Kinoshita, JPN, 91, Three professional wins
Brooks Koepka, USA, 19, Former World No. 1; Four-time major champion
Chase Koepka, USA, 1,607, Six professional top-10 finishes
Jinichiro Kozuma, JPN, 109, Two professional wins
Graeme McDowell, NIR, 372, Major champion; 16 victories
Phil Mickelson, USA, 83, six-time major champion; World Golf Hall of Fame
Jediah Morgan, AUS, 251, 2021-22 PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit
Kevin Na, USA, 34, Nine professional victories
Shaun Norris, RSA, 76, 12 professional wins
Louis Oosthuizen, RSA, 23, Major champion; 20 professional wins
Wade Ormsby, AUS, 285, Four professional wins
Adrian Otaegui, ESP, 169, Three professional wins
Pat Perez, USA, 170, Four professional wins; 74 top-10 finishes
Turk Pettit, USA, 615, 2021 NCAA Division I Men’s Champion
James Piot, USA, 1,785, 2021 US Amateur Champion
Ian Poulter, ENG, 98, 19 professional victories; former World No. 5
Patrick Reed, USA, 38, Major champion; Nine professional wins
Charl Schwartzel, RSA, 123, Major champion; LIV Golf Invitational London winner
Travis Smyth, AUS, 405, International Series Order of Merit Qualifier
Ian Snyman, RSA, 379, International Series Order of Merit Qualifier
Hudson Swafford, USA, 96, Four professional wins; 12 top 10 finishes
Hideto Tanihara, JPN, 183, 16 professional victories
Peter Uihlein, USA, 329, Former No. 1 Amateur; Four professional wins
Scott Vincent, ZIM, 92, Four professional wins
Lee Westwood, ENG, 85, Former World No. 1; 44 professional wins
Bernd Wiesberger, AUT, 97, 13 professional victories
Blake Windred, AUS, 269, Earned first professional win in 2021
The final three players will be announced in the coming days

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Greg’s delight

“Coming off our successful launch in London, we take another leap forward with our strengthened field for Portland,” said Greg Norman, CEO and Commissioner of LIV Golf. “Record-setting champions, global ambassadors and rising stars are showing that players are eager to get involved with our innovative model that stresses camaraderie, competition, and above all, fun, that drives a new and entertaining product for today’s golf fans. The response after one event has been overwhelming. Free agency has officially come to golf. I’m proud of this field and our entire team that is committed to creating a new and exciting future for this sport.”

The 48-man field in Portland will play across 12 teams of four players each. Teams for Portland will be announced on Tuesday, June 28 following a draft during which team captains will select players from the field.

The team captains announced for the Portland Invitational

Stinger GC — Louis Oosthuizen
Crushers GC — Bryson DeChambeau
Majesticks GC — Lee Westwood
Torque GC — Hideto Tanihara
4 Aces GC — Dustin Johnson
Cleeks GC — Martin Kaymer
Punch GC — Wade Ormsby
Niblicks GC — Graeme McDowell
Smash GC — Brooks Koepka
Hy Flyers GC — Phil Mickelson
Fireballs GC — Sergio Garcia
Iron Heads GC — Kevin Na

Former Masters champion Charl Schwartzel earned first prize in the individual competition at the inaugural LIV Golf Invitational London at Centurion Club. Stinger GC, Schwartzel’s team captained by major champion Louis Oosthuizen, took the team honours with fellow South Africans and teammates Hennie du Plessis and Branden Grace finishing second and third, respectively. The Stingers finished with a total score of 20-under, besting the second-place competition by 14 strokes.

The post LIV Golf: Top stars DeChambeau, Koepka, Ancer and Reed set for debut in Portland as new captains announced appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.