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.
Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Congratulations PGA Tour. Welcome to the future.#LIVGolf
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”.
LIV Golf's S2 debut: 291,000 PGA Tour Honda Classic: 2 million
LIV slumped in ratings and viewership in its debut on CW — which hosted its first live sports broadcast in two decades.https://t.co/AiVteAJAXf
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.
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.
Featured Image — LIV Golf/PGA Tour (via Instagram)
Sport
The same team behind the annual Alton Towers run is bringing a new race to Flamingo Land
Danny Jones
Following the success of Run Alton Towers, the same team is bringing a brand-new running event to another Northern attraction with the first-ever Flamingo Land race.
Knowing how popular its forerunner is (pardon the pun), this one is already well on course to sell out.
The inaugural Alton Towers run first took place in November 2021, and now half a decade later, RunThroughUK – the biggest and fastest-growing race organiser in the country – is recreating the format over at Flamingo Land.
Landing next month, the beloved UK theme park and zoo will be joining them in holding two different distances, and you can still be part of it.
Hosted within the grounds of the wider Flamingo Land Resort, the unique route takes participants through the zoo, passing plenty of incredible animals, before continuing through the theme park alongside some of its biggest rides and amusements.
Located in Kirby Misperton up in North Yorkshire, they will be holding both 5-kilometre and 10km runs around the venue.
With the promotion and sporting events company having already comfortably proved they can hold a slick and seamless running event throughout the 500-acre plot, there’s set to be even more jam-packed sights to see as you jog zip through the slightly smaller and multi-purpose park.
As always with RunThrough dates, runners of all abilities are welcome; whether you’re chasing a personal best or simply looking for a different kind of race route, you’re sure to have a memorable time.
And yes, for those wondering: just like with its Staffordshire counterpart, you do get to stay and enjoy all the rides, wildlife and more as part of your entry fee afterwards.
Even better still, not only will every runner be treated to accurate chip timing, a fully marked course, enthusiastic marshals and support from spectators, but you also get a unique finisher’s medal.
Oh yeah, and you get all of your race pictures for FREE, as is standard with RunThrough events. Belter.
With race day not far away, the final places are filling fast for what promises to be one of the UK’s most unique new running events – not to mention one we fully expect to become another annual addition.
Taking place on Saturday, 5 September 2026, you can secure your bibs for the 5/10k running race HERE.
Featured Images — Publicity pictures (supplied via RunThrough)
Sport
Manchester Storm announce partnership with USAsports including NHL pop-ups and more
Danny Jones
Manchester Storm have announced a landmark new deal with USAsports, a dedicated home for British fans of North American sporting disciplines and global merchandising suppliers, which will see various exciting events this upcoming season.
Confirming the collaboration ahead of the pending 2026/27 campaign, this crossover will involve everything from special pop-up events to player sponsorships and much more.
USAsports specialise in officially licensed NHL, NFL, NBA and MLB clothing, and while you may have seen the odd jersey here and there at various Greater Manchester locations, they are now gearing up to work with Manchester Storm to deliver better exposure.
Whether you’re just a die-hard member of the Storm Shelter or an ex-pat who still follows an NHL franchise overseas, kit collecting and the fascination surrounding limited edition team jumpers is a big part of ice hockey fandom and culture not just here in the UK but around the world.
Sharing their own announcement, they wrote: “Manchester Storm are thrilled to announce a new partnership with USAsports for the 2026/27 Motorpoint Elite Ice Hockey League (EIHL) season as the club embarks on an exciting new chapter at the AO Arena.
“As part of the partnership, USAsports will sponsor a Manchester Storm player throughout the season and deliver multiple NHL Pop-Up Shop events at Storm home games during the forthcoming campaign.”
On the subject of sponsorship, commercial entities are the only people who will be given the opportunity to back big players this term, as Storm are once again bringing back their ‘own-and-loan’ scheme.
Speaking on working closely with their new partners, the club’s General Manager, Ryan Finnerty, added: “We’re delighted to have USAsports on board for the 2026/27 season.
“Their passion for the fan experience really stood out to us, and their NHL Pop-Up Shops throughout the season will be a fantastic addition to game days at the AO Arena.
“We’re looking forward to working together throughout what promises to be a very exciting season.”
As casual fans here at The Manc, we’ll admit that watching the growing buzz around the resurgent ice hockey team, especially ahead of their Manchester city centre ‘homecoming’, has got us amped to dive deeper into the sport when it gets back underway next month. We’re not the only ones, either…
Danny Jones -
2nd March 2023 
