Sport

LIV Golf mocks PGA Tour revamp despite ‘hilariously bad’ viewing figures

The golf civil war continues to rage on and it seems pretty clear who's winning for now.

Danny Jones Danny Jones - 2nd March 2023

Controversial breakaway tournament LIV Golf has taken aim at its long-standing forefather, the PGA Tour, following proposals for a revamp in the competition.

The PGA announced it will be restructuring its overall tour circuit with a number of changes to try and improve the competition earlier this week, including smaller, limited fields and no more 36-hole cuts, which typically sees only those above the threshold able to qualify and progress in tournaments.

While the changes are not wholesale (only affecting eight leading events outside of the majors) and yet to be fully approved and implemented, Commissioner Jay Monahan insists that the revamp will “deliver substantial, can’t-miss tournaments for the fans” from the 2024 season onwards.

Following the news, rival league LIV Golf wasted no time in having a dig at the proposed changes by suggesting that they were trying to copy the same format that has drawn so many players to join the highly lucrative league.

For anyone still unaware, LIV has ruffled feathers in the golf and sporting world at large, not only because it challenged a much-loved institution that has stood for over 100 years, but as a result of the Saudi Arabian investment behind it.

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Like the recent acquisition of Newcastle United using the country’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), LIV Golf is primarily backed by state wealth and has been criticised as yet another instance of ‘sportwashing’ seeping its way into various different disciplines.

While the organisers boast both shorter tournaments and bigger pay-checks — aspects that are said to attract more players and potential new viewers — many are still deeply concerned by the problematic the Arabian Gulf’s growing relationship with sport as a whole.

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However, it would seem that those projected viewings figures simply haven’t translated, as the debut season on US network CW averaged less than 300,000 viewers, i.e. a whole 85% less than the PGA Honda Classic. Yikes. The stats have been labelled everything from “embarrassing” to simply “hilarious”.

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So while the people behind LIV Golf clearly have plenty to say, it looks like they’re struggling to back up all the talk and have only fuelled the PGA Tour to keep modernising and further cement its supremacy.

Moreover, much like the protests against the Qatar 2022 World Cup, many still feel more assurances need to be made surrounding the financing of LIV, Newcastle and other projects funded by the PIF within sport and further afield.

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The Times reported on Wednesday that a fresh push for an investigation into the Premier League club’s takeover is now being lobbied following LIV’s own ongoing ‘antitrust’ court case after several players filed lawsuits against the PGA.

For those who have remained loyal to the Tour like Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, players are said to “love” the proposed changes and while LIV are busy sharing Instagram posts trying to remind people where to watch, most golf lovers are simply sticking with what they know.

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Featured Image — LIV Golf/PGA Tour (via Instagram)

Sport

Patrice Evra issues passionate plea to Manchester United as he must miss the Europa League final

Danny Jones Danny Jones Patrice Evra video message to Man United ahead of Europa League final

Ex-Manchester United star Patrice Evra has issued a passionate appeal to his old club ahead of the Europa League final, as he reluctantly prepares to miss the game.

Evra, 44, has remained an avid Man United fan even since he left the club back in 2014 and doesn’t miss a game if he can, often lending his punditry services to the likes of Sky Sports of TNT Sports.

However, despite the biggest game of their season coming up this Wednesday, 20 May, the Frenchman has been forced to skip the match due to a recent bereavement.

Nevertheless, Evra has taken time to issue a rallying cry to Ruben Amorim and his Red Devils, urging them to “be United” and “fight” just like his loved one.

As explained in the short video, the retired left-back’s sister recently passed away at just 56 after a long battle with cancer.

Visibly emotional but determined in the clip, Evra starts by sharing his “positive energy” before trying to inject some defiance.

Noting that his sibling fought for her life for more than two decades, he goes on to add, “That’s what I want from you [United players and fans] tomorrow: just fight — bleed for this shirt, for the fans, the staff, for the people of Manchester.”

Stating that there is “no excuse” for failure and that winning their first European trophy in seven years is their “duty”, he called on the team to channel the commitment and dedication of those travelling from all over the world to see them take on Spurs in Bilbao.

As for the former French international himself, he will be making his return to sport only in an entirely different arena, with a combat sports debut coming very soon.

Former Manchester United star Patrice Evra is set to make his MMA debut very soon
Wait until you see who he called out… To be fair, I think we’d prefer to watch the Evra fight even more than the Europa League final.

While the comments underneath the post are obviously filled with lots of condolences for his loss, lots of supporters are also taking further faith and motivation from his competitive spirit.

Match day isn’t even here yet, but we’ve already seen some incredible examples of the frankly ridiculous lengths fans are going to in order to travel to the final, and Amorim himself has been applauded for a very classy and generous gesture.

It’s a big game for the club and so many across Greater Manchester; you only have to glance at social media to sense the palpable tension. For instance, if you’re a Red, you don’t want to scroll past the video down below.

Go on then – do you think United are going to do it?

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Featured Images — Gordon Flood/Diego Sideburns (via Flickr) Patrice Evra (screenshot via IG)

Sport

Travel warning issued as Manchester prepares for big night of music and football

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant Travel advice issued ahead of 'really busy' weekend with Barry Manilow and Manchester City playing next door to each other. Credit: TfGM

Manchester is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year, as two huge music legends take to the stage and the football season draws to a close.

There’s no denying that Manchester‘s social calendar has been getting busier and the summer starts to arrive, and we all know we’ve got a huge weekend of festivals coming up to celebrate the late May bank holiday, but it actually seems like tonight (20 May) may be one of the busiest nights the city has seen all year so far.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) is encouraging people to make the most of public transport and active travel options, as nearly 100,000 people are expected into the city for two huge concerts and a footballing finale tonight.

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen is set to play to a sold-out Co-op Live, pop icon Kylie Minogue brings her ‘Tension Tour’ to the AO Arena, and Manchester City play their final home game of the season at the Etihad Stadium with an 8pm kick-off.

Manchester is preparing for one of its busiest nights of the year / Credit: TfGM

Not only is it a big deal that two of music‘s biggest names are performing in the city tonight, but over at the Etihad, it will also be legendary midfielder Kevin De Bruyne’s final home game for Manchester City.

At the Etihad Campus, it’s expected that there will be a crossover with City and Springsteen fans arriving at the same time for their respective events, and then with City planning a ‘lap of appreciation’ following the final whistle for De Bruyne’s departure, it’s thought that both the football and music fans could be leaving at a similar time too.

This is why a travel warning has been issued, and as always, it’s advised to ‘plan ahead’.

If possible, TfGM is recommending that it’s best to travel to and from your respective events outside peak times, as this is when the roads and tram network will be at their busiest, so instead, Springsteen fans may wish to take advantage of the 4:30pm early entry at Co-op Live.

Alternatively, there will also be express and shuttle bus services to and from Co-op Live and the Etihad Campus for both Springsteen and City fans, as well as trams – many with ‘double trams’ – operating every six-minutes from the city centre, and several ‘Park & Ride’ options for those wishing to drive.

Those who choose to travel by car, though, it should be noted that there will be a closure on Chapel Street heading towards Salford (westbound), between Blackfriars Road and New Bailey Street, and although a diversion is in place, you may want to plan an alternative route.

For Kylie fans, the AO Arena is served by multiple tram and train lines, and bus networks, all of which will be running throughout the day, as well as being just a 15-minute walk from the heart of Manchester too.

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TfGM says its control room will also be monitoring the transport network during the evening and responding to any incidents as they develop.

For more information and to plan your journey this evening, head to the Bee Network website here.

Featured Image – TfGM

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