USA Today via Reuters
January 6, 2022; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Cameron Smith acknowledges after making his putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
January 6, 2022; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Cameron Smith acknowledges after making his putt on the 18th hole during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
THE PLAYERS Championship is right around the corner and has started creating a buzz. The event will occur on the Players Stadium Course from March 9-12. However, the latest update about the event did not bring cheer among fans. The update about the field of the PGA Tour event was the center of discussion. It separated the golf world into two halves and stirred up debates.
Why is the golf world disappointed with THE PLAYERS Championship field ?
A golf fan’s Twitter account, Flushing It, posted an update about a promotional video of THE PLAYERS Championship. The tweet complained about the claims made by the promotional video. The tweet read, “Sky showing a promo for The Players without mentioning the defending champ and then calling it “the best field in golf,” when this year it clearly isn’t, is laughable.” They added the reason behind their distress and said, “The top 3 from the 2022 event won’t be there, and even the Scottish Open will probably be stronger this season!“
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Some fans believed that was the viable way to promote it. “What should they say then, given they’re televising it? They can’t say much else surely?” Whereas some golf fans pointed out the absence of the golfers from the 2023 field. “The golfers you say won’t be there because they sold out for cash and became employees of Saudi regime.” However, the fan account clarified their viewpoint and explained why they did not like the promotional approach and the choice of words.
For reference, at a quick count, 28 players from last years field, including the top 3 and 5 of the top 10, aren’t playing this year.
It’s not an argument about people’s opinion on why players left, it’s about whether the event is the “best field in golf”. This year, it isn’t.
— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) February 26, 2023
According to an update, the greatest golfer, Tiger Woods, will probably play in THE PLAYERS Championship. That will be excellent news for his fans. But right now, the golf world is busy scrutinizing the LIV Golf League because the players missing from the field this year are the ones who joined the Saudi-backed circuit. The comment section also raised a few honest questions about the field and compared it with the Masters field. One user deacribed golf as being a question of history and ‘legacy’ rather than money. Take a look at a few of the reactions from the golf world.
100% agreed. The Players should call themselves "The best field without the sell-outs." 😄
LIV Golf can counter with the slogan: "Where the RICH golfers play." 😆
— Queens Fort (@Bellyhungry) February 26, 2023
LIV golf is not golf. Never will be. No matter who or how many take the money. Golf is where the history is. Where the legacy is. Where the aspiration is. If these guys want money then become hedge fund managers.
— Paul Nihill (@nugser) February 26, 2023
Besides the Scottish open field “probably” being stronger, which tournament’s field actually IS stronger? Honest question, not rhetorical.
— Chopper (@m_nikolaison) February 26, 2023
Apart from the majors, obviously, what is the best field in golf? It’d be hard to argue any LIV field is better than an elevated event. Saying that the top finishers from last season is irrelevant imo because certain players have elevated their game since last year and vice versa
— Brad’s Army (@largestpotato) February 27, 2023
It IS the best field in golf. What's better than their field? This one in Mayakoba?
They didn't say this is the best collection possible so they're not lying. The only one that is arugably better is the PGA Championship, but it's pretty close.
— SportsFanNoypi (@DeyAlcalde) February 26, 2023
Next week should provide a good comparison to the mickey mouse tour, think we will find there a bit quiet in coming forward this time..
— Ian Macfarlane (@IMac_50) February 26, 2023
Pretty sure they would love to give up some of that Saudi cash to play in the Players. Oh well. So sad. Few events can even come close to the Players. Hoping the feeling Cam Smith had when he hoisted that trophy happens again in a major. Clearly won’t where he is now. Who cares
— LT (@LarryTerreri) February 26, 2023
Top to bottom, I bet it is still the strongest field in golf. Master, PGA, and both Opens have a few players at the bottom of the field that bring that down. But it won't be as good as it was last year.
— Robert Windon (@robertwindon) February 26, 2023
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There are only 3 LIV golfers who would be realistic contenders at @TPCSawgrass– Cam Smith, Dustin Johnson, and Niemann. Everyone else is too old or broken down or total long shot. Stop treating their field like it’s still 2018.
— Rich Polin (@raphor) February 27, 2023
Overall, the reactions were not in favor of the claims made for the promotion by Sky. However, only time will tell if calling it the best field is right or wrong. We will have to wait and watch, then decide. Only two weeks to go to fight for $25,000,000 prize money.
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Do you agree with the tweet? Or do you believe it was right to call it the best field? Please share your views with us in the comments.
