‘Retired When He Joined LIV’: Ruthless Golf Fans Taunt Paul Casey Despite His Impressive DP World Tour Return

A move to LIV Golf does not come without its consequences. The most prominent consequence, however, remains finding a balance between your pre-move professional life and your new reality. Paul Casey, for one, is no stranger to the intricacies of life in the LIV Golf universe and associated hurdles in navigating his way in accordance with the present world ranking system.

Thankfully for Casey, his close connection with sponsor Porsche has obtained him a sponsor’s exemption from the European Tour’s 2024 Singapore Classic at the Laguna National Golf & Country Club. Currently placed at T5, the 46-year-old has already made “5 birdies in his last 6.” This means that he has a chance to move into contention going into Sunday’s final round and could possibly win as well, which can be referred to as a “big story developing.” 

Casey had a good start to the event. He shot 68 and 70 on Thursday and Friday, respectively, and sat at six-under before entering the weekend. The former world No. 3 continued to impress everyone in Saturday’s round and carded four-under 68, making his total score equal to 10 under to tie for the fifth spot.

The golfer’s first nine holes saw him shoot two birdies and one eagle. He also had two disappointing bogeys on the seventh and ninth holes. Unfortunately, he carded another bogey at the par-three 11th and one double bogey on the par-three 17th, but he managed to shoot five birdies in his last six holes. His competing at the DPWT event marked his first start in two years.

Casey’s mega-million-dollar deal with the Saudi-backed giant translated to a goodbye to his playing rights on the European Tour. He has a long list of 15 European Tour wins and several Ryder Cup participations for the European squad.

The fans, however, do not seem to agree with the wide acclaim coming Casey’s way. The post on X claiming a bright future for the Arizona State University graduate received widespread criticism online. So what did the fans have to say?

Critical fans express an unfiltered opinion on Casey’s performance

One fan claimed that LIV Golf players were already allowed to play the DP World Tour’s events as far as their knowledge allowed. While Casey is allowed to do so by employing an exemption, that is not ordinarily the norm. There are certain conditions that need to be followed by the defectors to be able to tee it up on the European Tour. This includes having no conflicting events as well as meeting the qualification criteria and membership track record.

The rebuttal to the above reaction was given by a fan who clarified that Paul Casey “retired when he joined LIV.” The golf fan seemed to unbothered by the performances that Casey has had on the Saudi-funded league. Though he has not won any event but has had a couple of notable moments such as finishing sixth in his first LIV Golf tournament, finishing 21st at LIV Golf Invitational Boston and then his team, Crushers GC, winning team event at LIV Golf Mexico.

Another fan pointed out that it might be an exaggeration to assume the aforesaid as the development of a “big story.” This claim possibly finds its ground in the fact that neither is Casey the first LIV Golf player to top the leaderboard of an event outside of the breakaway league, nor is the event akin to something like a Major.

Yet another fan was quick to express their pain at losing the European sensation to LIV Golf 3 years ago. They claimed that Casey has wasted his talents. But that has not been the case! The European golfer’s wasted talents have helped him earn a lot of money, and have good finished on the Saudi league.

The comments section was no short of critiques. They expressed their dismissal of his current position in the golf world. Interestingly enough, LIV Golf players have time and again proven their potential. Joaquin Niemann, for one, has managed to claim an invite the Augusta showdown. Showcasing that LIV Golf also plays real golf, Brooks Koepka won last year’s PGA Championship and became the only LIV golfer to be part of the American Ryder Cup squad.

One more fan posed a question on the praise received by the LIV Golfer. They talked about how an amateur is over the renowned golfer in terms of rankings in the event. This comment was talking about Sam Bairstow who is an amateur currently placed tied at 2nd place on the leaderboard.

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