Three weekends ago Tiger Woods was in the news for several reasons. First, he was at Saint Andrews to compete in The Open, and second, well, he’s Tiger and he’s always news. Also on that Friday, Forbes estimated he is breathing that most rarefied air enjoyed only by billionaires. This column, however, is about strong comments by him and others directed towards the rookie golfers who have signed up with LIV.

Jon Rahm, golfs’ number three ranked player, shared his sentiments in an interview at the U.S. Open last month in the press tent. He doesn’t think three rounds of shotgun golf are for him. He also believes competition delivers the best golf, and LIV’s no cut format fails to promote that. He bears no grudge toward anyone who joins that league however, saying that money is great, but he and his wife discussed what lifestyle changes they would make if his estimated 16 million net worth were upgraded by a few hundred million dollars. Their conclusion? They are happy and really big money just wouldn’t impact their life. He’s 27. The Spaniard says he plays for the love of the game. He went on to speak of golf’s history and legacy, naming tournaments that mean something, like Torrey Pines, Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial, and Arnold Palmer’s Bay Hill. Just a few of the great courses and outstanding stewards of everything golf stands for. He seems to have a genuine reverence for the game, while not judging others for their choices. Did I mention he’s 27?

In an address to the media, Martin Slumbers, R&A (Royal and Ancient) CEO said that banning players from next year’s Open is not their objective, but they retain the right to change “the exemptions and qualifications” criteria based on several factors, including global appeal. That certainly sounds to me like a nod to OWGR. For the uninitiated, that’s the Official World Golf Ranking, a two-year sliding scale, updated weekly, that ranks professional golfers across at least a couple dozen tours. That ranking is part of the criteria used to invite golfers to play in tournaments. The four majors automatically invite the top 50 players to compete each year. It’s also a factor in drawing the European side of the Ryder Cup team. LIV is not currently one of the tours in OWGR’s calculus, hence those golfers will lose points by virtue of not competing in ones that are.

Tiger echoed Rahm’s comments about a no cut format. “What these players are doing for guaranteed money, what is the incentive to practice? What is the incentive to go out there and earn it in the dirt?” he asked. “Some of these players may not ever get a chance to play in major championships (or) walk down the fairways at Augusta National.” To me, that tells the true story of the SGL. The G stands for greed, not golf-that’s the deal. This isn’t about sports, it’s all about money, and in a perverse way, the things Saudi cash can get greedy Westerners to do for it. Have you seen the cartoonish logos designed for the teams in LIV? I’ll bet they are having a good laugh back at the palace in Riyadh.  

Mr. Slumbers also said the values of golf are integrity, personal responsibility and respect. Tiger, after his first round on the Old Course, his worst ever there, had this to say- “I had my chances to turn it around and get it rolling the right way and I didn’t do it. Looks like I’m going to have to shoot a 66 tomorrow….guys did it today and that’s my responsibility tomorrow.” I think Mr. Slumbers has found his man. Compare and contrast that with Rory McIlroy, who was barking all over the course at Bay Hill, how good shots went unrewarded. Well, somebody won that tournament (Scottie Scheffler) while Rory cried, sorry, tied, for 13^th. This is Arnold Palmer’s tournament, and if he were still alive, guess who wouldn’t get an invite next year?

Is LIV good for the USGA? At this watershed moment, they are siphoning off talented amateur golfers who are money focused, not values oriented. As a group, they seem less steeped in the history of the game and the life lessons it teaches than those currently on the PGA tour. We know that MBS is a really bad person. Phil and the others joining his tour are aware (how could they not be) of dark deeds done under the prince’s ring. Phil has no moral compass to lead these new recruits; his attitude over Jamal Khashoggi’s murder is cavalier at best. Thus as he plies the river of riyal to the safe harbor of his bank account, there is no quality leadership to be found in the SGL.

Somewhere in the harvesting of amateurs, those without a deeper understanding of the character of golf, seem to gravitate towards LIV. With all the guaranteed money on offer, it’s difficult to turn down. That incentive brings young amateurs (mostly), those without the intrinsic values that are at the core of the game, into the SGL. When I was a kid, I launched a driver into the woods farther than my ball dribbled off the tee, and I knew right then I didn’t have it.  I’ve since learned what ‘It’ is, but I still don’t possess it. I know it starts with the right stuff, a set of values generationally delivered. Then the player applies those values to grow, not just as a golfer, but as an individual. With a set of well-founded principles, he or she grows into a more complete person.

Since he won his first major, the Masters in 1997, Tiger knew he wasn’t playing for the money, but for legacy. Did I mention he was 21 then? He knew he wasn’t going to win The Open last week. He was there to support the game of golf, not himself. From an early age, Earl had instilled an indelible set of values in his son; most of them took. Don’t let the Forbes ranking fool you, it was never about the money.