LIV Golf Rebel Takes a Dig at PGA Tour Over Unfair Treatment of Caddies

The LIV Golf series has been under scrutiny for a number of weeks. Since its inception, players and fans alike have exhibited mixed reactions. While some back the new format of shotgun starts and team events, others have shown no support by criticizing its links to the Saudi-backed government. However, despite all the controversies, a glowing positive from the series was revealed during the third event of the LIV series being played at the Bedminster by Carlos Ortiz.

Carlos Ortiz talks about Caddie’s treatment

During the flash interview at the end of Day 2 with Dustin Johnson and Carlos Ortiz, the latter reserved high praise for the conduction of the whole event, especially the treatment of caddies. “The way we get treated, the way the caddies get treated, they get treated like persons, like normal people,” he said.

Read more: LIV Golf Rebel Says the New League Is More Competitive Than a Normal PGA Tour Event

“They can eat with us and get in the locker room, where in the other tour they couldn’t. I think those things are great, and the staff has been unbelievable. They do anything for you. The setups, people are loving it,” Ortiz further added.

The simple revelation has disclosed a telling environment in former golf tournaments. While caddies accompany the golfer throughout the course, their restrictions behind the scenes are upsetting. These sentiments were further upheld by Craig Connelly, a seven-time Ryder Cup caddy and one of the most experienced ones among the current crop.

Experiences from Caddies

“This is as good an event as I have ever seen, from a caddie’s point of view,” he said. “At the Ryder Cup you are made to feel special. You arrive at the hotel and everything is laid on, there’s no need for a credit card at the front desk, there are no expenses.”

He further added that the event was as good as the Ryder Cup event, where he mentioned hospitality and travel expenses were taken care of, irrespective of players or caddies.

Colin Byrne, who is caddying South African golfer Louis Oosthuizen, saw this as the equivalent of hitting a ‘jackpot’. He mentioned the LIV event outclassed the Sun City event in South Africa in terms of organizing for the caddies.

Byrne, who also writes as a contributor to The Irish Times, mentioned chats with Greg Norman, CEO of the LIV series, have helped maintain a healthy relationship. “Having talked to Greg [Norman] and others on the organizing team, it has been ‘what can we do for you’ all week. We’ve been pampered and had nothing but a red-carpet treatment.”

While the PGA and DP Tour are busy re-evaluating their structure and the purse to reach on-par with the rebel series, their disapproving treatment toward caddies definitely causes concerns. Perhaps the existing governing bodies have something to take note of, from the rebel series.

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