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Published 11:54 3 Aug 2022 BST
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Bryson DeChambeau of the United States looks on during a practice round prior to the 2022 U.S. Open. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)[/caption]
"I've always been a bit of a trend-setter. Growing up, I always thought I'd do something cool in the game of golf. I didn't know what it would be. Now that I see this [LIV Golf], I know this is going to be a big part of it. "The reason I say that is, I've always thought that golf has to tailor itself to the younger generation, if we want to continue to grow the game. I'm all about growth in the game of golf."Carlson next put it to DeChambeau, somewhat skeptical in his delivery, that LIV Golf was seen as "vulgar" and was going to desecrate the spirit of golf. "Spirit of golf," repeats the 2020 US Open winner, before chuckling. DeChambeau reasoned that golf has always been about innovations and embracing new technologies, but new aspects like the 54-hole format and players being part of a four-man team [with names like Fireballs and High Flyers] is 'enhancing the spirit of the game'. The 28-year-old says the PGA Tour threatening life-time bans for anyone that has jumped ship to LIV 'doesn't make any sense' but he believes the situation 'will get figured out'.
"And I personally know that it will get figured out," he added, "whether that is legally, where they come to the table and work out terms, I definitely think it will all wash itself out in the future, pretty shortly."Then came the LIV Golf/pizza shop analogy that needs to be seen to be be believed, and appreciated. In short, DeChambeau said LIV was like a new pizza shop that paid new customers to try out their food and is 'potentially a little bit better of a pizza'. https://twitter.com/patmccarry/status/1554772541788635137
"At that stage, then, it is just a hobby. I mean, this is our livelihoods. There is a great economic opportunity for golfers to make a lot of money. That's why we grew up, playing golf. Also for the history - to go win majors and win PGA Tour events, initially. Now I'm out here and I want to win LIV events.""Anyone someone invests a billion dollars, let's say," DeChambeau added, "into the game of golf, how is that not going to grow the game?" As Amnesty International has stated, in recent months, the Saudi Public Investment Fund [valued at over $620 billion] is throwing money at the likes of UFC, boxing, F1, soccer and golf in an attempt to "sportswash" the image of the gulf kingdom. And as for the billion dollar-plus investment, a huge, huge chunk of that is going straight into the accounts of the already well-paid pro golfers.
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