Now do the part about how Phil will never contend in a major again and and see how silly your point is when you set arbitrary brackets around start and end dates.

Who knows, maybe Norman will be able to finagle them world ranking points by playing in the Riyadh Bonesaw Invitational and we'll see them compete in full field events in again. Until then, it's a bunch of guys taking the bag and ducking competition.
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LIV was always going to sue the tour anyway given the antitrust issues at play.
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LIV is not any more second tier than over half of the PGA Tour tournaments at this point. The PGA Tour's response to LIV was to basically create a two-tier system on their own tour (with one tier without cuts for the elite players and another tier for the rest). The Valero Texas Open last week had like 2 top 50 golfers even playing.
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Since 2016 - 12 of 27*, 44.4%

Since 2017 - 10 of 23*, 43.5%

*no Open Championship in 2020 due to Covid

Those work better for you? Because they work even better for me and the point I'm making. :-)
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That has existed for decades. Tiger's career was defined by playing the majors, the Players', WGC events Jack's and Arnold's events, and some Buick events per his endorsement contract.

Tons of low level players got their cards winning events like the Barbasol Invitational or the Disney. That's how Tiger got his in 1996.
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Yes, when you go back in history, the guys that used to be elite have better results.

I'll tell you what: we can make a wager. There will be 20 majors over the next 5 years. LIV guys will win O/U 7.5 while they are on LIV. I'll take the under.
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Not to this extent. The WGC events were a response to another Greg Norman endeavor 30 years ago, but making over a dozen mandatory cut less tournaments for the top 50 in the world has not ever existed before. It had to be done, though, so they didn't lose any more elite players.
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LIV members won't be allowed to play in 5 of those 20 majors.
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Nice bounce back by Rahmbo. -5 on the 8 holes after his 4-jack on the 1st.

These guys are freaking wizards. I practice A LOT and it's amazing what an entirely different level they're on.
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1. They don't throw away shots trying to do the impossible like amateurs do.
2. They take their punishment when they hit a bad shot and move on.
3. They know you can't overcome a double or triple bogey on 1 hole and just chip away.
4. They spend most of their time practicing on the green, sandtraps and chipping since that is where most strokes are gained/lost.
5. They can shape shots, amateurs rarely can.
6. They know when to pin hunt and when to go to center of green.

When amateurs finish a round and start reflecting on every shot, they are amazed at all the wasted shots, especially 3 or 4 putts. Add in shanked chips or getting stuck in a sandtrap and most have an easy 8-10 shots they can improve on.
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Tiger finally gets a putt to fall.
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I'm around 15-17 handicap and this is my biggest issue. Wasted shots. I'll play decent over 14 holes and look back and realize that I gave up 8+ shots over those 4 holes. Kills my score.

Bladed my chip over the green; chipped back short; 2 putt. Instead of 5 at worst, I'm carding a 7.
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I carried about a 15-17 handicap for a long time living in NJ. When I moved to CA in 1996 and started to play 3 days a week, I spent a LOT of time practicing my chipping and sand trap shots. I also also worked on eliminating 3 putts.

By the time I left CA in early 2002, I was a 7.8 handicap and I rarely tossed away shots. My biggest weakness to this day has been my 3,4,5 irons. I have a bad habit of reverse pivoting that creates hitting the ball fat. I am NOT a natural golfer and only got good due to massive amounts of practice and muscle memory.

I rarely play any golf even though I live in golf haven here in AZ but I am going to get back to playing this summer after I drop all the weight I've gained the last 2 1/2 years.

I bet I am a 25+ handicap today if I stepped on a course. :-)
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Imagine being that amateur and being 4-under on the first day of the Masters.

That's gonna be me someday...


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Went to the practice rounds on Monday and Tuesday. Really awesome experience. Got to see pretty much all the golfers that have a chance to win. Followed Justin Thomas and Tiger on Tuesday. Also the LIV guys as well. Watching them skip the water on 16 was a trip. Amazing how close some of those guys came to holing it. 10/10. Would recommend.
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