A bit less than two years ago, Lucas Herbert said his life wouldn’t change if he was a LIV Golf convert.
He made a generous gesture by returning a large sum of money to Golf Australia, who had supported him financially during his junior years, now that he had become one of the top 100 male golfers in the world.
The conversation shifted towards the intense civil war and the massive amounts of money being offered to previously loyal PGA Tour stars to join Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed LIV Golf.
“Will signing a LIV contract with all its financial benefits truly bring about a drastic change in my life? I don’t believe it will fulfill the things I truly desire,” Herbert expressed in July 2022.
However, in the world of golf, a week can feel like a long time, and 18 months can seem like an eternity.
On Thursday (AEDT), Herbert settled into his fresh LIV Golf attire as the newest member of Cameron Smith’s all-Australian Ripper GC franchise. The franchise is set to kick off its new season in Mexico on Saturday morning.
Perhaps this signifies LIV’s growing acceptance in the world of golf, especially after the surprising signing of Jon Rahm and the ongoing discussions between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Or maybe it’s simply a case of people changing their minds.
“The financial aspect definitely played a role, no doubt about it,” Herbert explained. “We wanted to ensure that I would be taken care of adequately.”
However, it’s possible that Herbert’s signing bonus wasn’t as lucrative as many believe it to be.
Herbert expressed his satisfaction with the money he was offered, stating that it was quite generous considering he worked either 40 or 50 hours a week on minimum wage from home. Although the amount offered may not have been as high as some other offers, Herbert still considered it to be a significant amount and was pleased with it.
‘The biggest thing for us was that we wanted to make the decision that was going to get my golf game the best I possibly could get.’
However, Herbert, who is 28 years old, emphasized that his primary motivation for joining LIV Golf was to improve as a player. He expressed concern about the diminishing opportunities on the PGA Tour and the need to secure his status beyond 2024, as he did not automatically qualify for the tour’s prestigious events this year. Despite winning in Bermuda in 2021, this was his final guaranteed year on the circuit.
“Our main objective was to make a decision that would enhance my golf game for the remainder of 2024, as well as for 2025 and the years ahead,” he explained. “This involves competing against tougher competition and facing stronger fields.”
Herbert acknowledged that being in a position to participate in the PGA Tour’s signature events would have made the decision to join LIV Golf more challenging.
It’s going to be a breeze for Herbert to qualify for majors. It’s practically impossible now.
With his world ranking at No.82, he doesn’t have any status for this year’s four events and won’t be able to participate in the Masters at Augusta National. If he wants to play on golf’s ultimate stage, he’ll have to go through the qualifying rounds for the US and British Opens.
The process for Herbert’s switch to LIV started shortly after the Australian Open. He had several phone conversations with Smith, but Norman wasn’t involved in LIV’s pitch.
“I finally feel like it’s out in the open now, and I’m not some secret,” Herbert joked about his rumored move, which was reported last month. “Honestly, I didn’t even think I would receive the offer…”
On the day that Herbert made his official announcement, the PGA Tour also revealed that they had secured a $4.6 billion private equity deal with various investors, including the Fenway Sports Group. This group is known for owning prestigious sports teams like Liverpool and the Boston Red Sox.
This agreement is significant because it allows PGA Tour loyalists, who had previously declined offers from LIV Golf, to have a stake in their own tour. It’s a great opportunity for them to have more control and influence over the future of the sport.
Adam Scott, Australia’s only Masters champion and a director for the PGA Tour, shared that his colleagues unanimously voted in favor of this deal. While negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, the financial backer of LIV Golf, are still ongoing, the PGA Tour is making strides to secure its own future.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan expressed that today is a significant milestone for both the PGA Tour and golf enthusiasts worldwide.
He emphasized the importance of empowering PGA Tour members to become owners of their league, as it enhances the collective investment of players in the success of the PGA Tour.
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