Significant: Eugenio Chacarra. One of the best players in college golf last season has bolted for LIV. The Spanish star had vowed to come back for his senior season with Oklahoma State, going so far as to remove himself from consideration for the PGA Tour University program that would have given him Korn Ferry Tour status this summer. Instead, Chacarra (who counts LIV member Sergio Garcia as one of his mentors) bypassed that circuit altogether to sign a multi-year agreement with the rival tour. Though it’s not as important as keeping the superstars happy in the short term, Monahan has an interesting long-term decision to make regarding elite up-and-comers like Chacarra. He’s the No. 2-ranked amateur in the world and a player whose macho game translates well to the pro ranks. Is the Tour really going to risk banning a top young player (who hadn’t even owned a Tour card) just to prove a point? The kids are watching, closely.
Anotha One: Matthew Wolff. The former teen phenom is bolting for LIV Golf, with an official unveiling (along with Chacarra and Carlos Ortiz) set for today. It’s been a wild three-year run for Wolff, who splashed onto the scene by winning in his third start as a pro and then posted top-5 finishes in his first two majors. Wolff has been open about his mental-health issues but, just 23, he’s also shown signs of immaturity and indifference. His long-term playing future (if there even is one) has never been more uncertain.
Connecting the Dots: GSE. Golf insiders have pointed to one player agency as having consistently funneled Tour players into the breakaway league. GSE has already helped broker the deals of Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen and Abe Ancer, among others, with plenty more lesser-names rumored to go soon. Given that connection, keep an eye on the biggest star in that stable, Sam Burns, who – for now – has resisted overtures to leave.
Anotha One: Matthew Wolff. The former teen phenom is bolting for LIV Golf, with an official unveiling (along with Chacarra and Carlos Ortiz) set for today. It’s been a wild three-year run for Wolff, who splashed onto the scene by winning in his third start as a pro and then posted top-5 finishes in his first two majors. Wolff has been open about his mental-health issues but, just 23, he’s also shown signs of immaturity and indifference. His long-term playing future (if there even is one) has never been more uncertain.
Connecting the Dots: GSE. Golf insiders have pointed to one player agency as having consistently funneled Tour players into the breakaway league. GSE has already helped broker the deals of Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia, Louis Oosthuizen and Abe Ancer, among others, with plenty more lesser-names rumored to go soon. Given that connection, keep an eye on the biggest star in that stable, Sam Burns, who – for now – has resisted overtures to leave.
