The fourth and final major of the men’s golf season has officially begun at Royal Liverpool Golf Club. The first day of the tournament was extremely thrilling and absolutely filled with fun! Although, whenever a major tournament has happened this year, the discussion of LIV Golf vs. PGA Tour has always been a hot one. Ever since the LIV golfers got permission to compete in the major tournaments after qualifying, their participation has been somewhat critically scrutinized. 

However, what caught everyone’s eye at the course during the opening round of the $16.5 million Open Championship was the arguably heated discussion that went down between the 2X PGA Tour winner and one of the most successful LIV Golfers, fuming the LIV golfers’ participation in the major tournaments. 

2X PGA Tour Winner and LIV Golf defector engage in tuff on the greens

What shocked the golf world, even more than a LIV golfer winning a major tournament, was the critical $3 billion merger between the former rivals, LIV Golf, and the PGA Tour. According to the merger, PGA Tour will now be sponsored by Saudi PIF and a new entity will be made by amalgamating the three leagues, including the DP World Tour.

Read More: ‘Off the High Horse’: PGA Tour vs LIV Golf Debate Reignites as Rory McIlroy’s Bunker Moment at Open Championship Attracts Controversies

At the opening round of the 151st Open, 2X PGA Tour winner, Padraig Harrington and Talor Gooch were partnered together. Harrington started from the fourth hole and hit a bogey. But afterward, he was distracted by something; not exactly the same thing that interrupted Viktor Hovland’s game, but something kind of similarly bizarre. The Independent reported that after his bogey on the fourth hole, the 51-year-old was distracted by Gooch shuffling his feet. The Independent’s report was then reposted by NUCLR GOLF, a popular golf Twitter page.

However, the distracting interaction between the two did not end there, and what followed the grim was the stern advice that the 2X PGA Tour winner offered the 31-year-old. As they walked off the tee, the golf veteran said firmly, “Watch your feet,” to the celebrated LIV golfer.

The Irish golfer then had to take a penalty drop  and then did well to find that his third shot flew left into the heavy rough. Although, the golfer blamed no one but himself for what happened on the fifth hole. The words exchanged between the two were quickly nullified as the Irish golfer clarified what he actually meant when he asked Gooch to watch his feet. 

Padraig Harrington dismisses the allegations of the words meaning anything more than they did 

Under NUCLR GOLF’s post, Harrington commented that there is “nothing to see here.” He said that it was his fault that he tilted his head and got a wide view of the field. He also commented that Gooch was very apologetic for causing the conundrum and ensured that it did not happen again for the remaining round.

What are your thoughts about Talor Gooch’s and Padraig Harrington’s interaction? Let us know in the comments below!

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