In an Aggressive Verdict, Prestigious USGA Labeled an ‘Amateur Organization’ by Leading LIV Defector Days After Being Relinquished

There may arguably be anyone better in the sport of golf right now than Talor Gooch for the past two weeks. The LIV Golf star became the first golfer to win back-to-back LIV events, bagging a whopping $8 million. Despite his big triumphs, Gooch’s participation in the US Open remains in jeopardy as he hasn’t signed up for the Major’s Qualifying. Nonetheless, the golfer finally had some words for US Open’s organizers, USGA, and gave the verdict on whether or not he wishes to be at the Los Angeles Country Club in June.

While he may have scored 36 under par in the past six rounds, Talor Gooch didn’t receive any OWGR points for his stunning performance in the past two LIV events. Following the LIV Golf Singapore win, Gooch reached the pinnacle of LIV’s leaderboard at the number one position but his world ranking further plummeted to 60th rank.

As the golfer’s ranking further falls below the 60th mark and outside of US Open’s contention, the United States Golf Association (USGA), which organizes the US Open, had some harsh words for Talor. However, the in-form golfer clapped back at the organizers and its CEO.

Is Talor Gooch participating in the US Open?

Mike Whan, the CEO of USGA, confirmed on Monday during the US Open media day about not making any exemption for Gooch. “I hope [Gooch] gets in but we’re not going to change our criteria and I’m not concerned about the quality of the U.S. Open field,” said the CEO. Whan expects the LIV Golf star to qualify for the third Major of the year through qualifying.

Read More: As Tony Finau Rejoices in His PGA Tour Win, Talor Gooch Irates His LIV Golf Triumph, Thanks to OWGR

Nonetheless, the deadline for signing up for the US Open Qualifiers has closed, which means the only option for Talor Gooch to be on the field for the Major is by earning more OWGR points through the PGA Championship later this month and be among the top 60 ranked golfers. However, the LIV star has further doubled down on not going through the qualifying phase if he doesn’t receive an exemption.

“They (USGA) obviously don’t want me to play or they wouldn’t have altered the criteria to relinquish my best chance of playing”, wrote Gooch on Twitter. He further questioned, “How many of the current top 60 owgr believe I shouldn’t be in the field?”. The 31-year-old ended by taking a jibe at USGA by labeling them as an ‘amateur organization’.

With no exemption for the world number 60, Talor’s last attempt will be to finish higher or win the PGA Championship. Or he will have to compete against more than 800 golfers to make it to the 3rd Major of the season. Though many have asked USGA to grant Talor Gooch an exemption, Mike Whan totally denied the idea. If more LIV Golf stars fail to qualify for the Major, will it not affect the quality of the field?

USGA CEO doesn’t care about the field

Apart from claiming to deny exemption to Gooch, Whan also had stern words for other golfers on Media Day. “I’m not concerned about not having the greatest players in the world”, claimed the USGA CEO. He also added how the US Open provides fewer exemptions than other Majors.

Mike Whan said, “We have fewer exempt spots than the other majors and because of that we take more heat on”. While Gooch was rejected the exemption for US Open, the PGA of America gave him the green light for the PGA Championship as he qualified for the Major by being making it to the Tour Championship last year.

His last resort to compete at the Los Angeles Country Club is by staying in the top 60 rankings by the Major in June. Who do you think is right? USGA or Talor Gooch? Let us know in the comment section below.

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