"Feels dirty but I like it" Golf fans react to first LIV Golf broadcast
This is how golf fans reacted to the first broadcast of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series opener at Centurion Club.
The inaugral Saudi-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series broadcast marked an incredible moment in golf history.
Related: PGA Tour boss suspends Saudi rebels
That was because as soon as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and the rest of the LIVers hit their first tee shots the PGA Tour acted.
PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan wrote a lengthy email to the entire membership confirming the Saudi rebels were currently suspended.
Of course, this wasn't mentioned in the broadcast. But LIV Golf issued a fairly swift response, insisting this was "not the last word".
The broadcast of the first day was streamed on the official LIV Golf website, Facebook and YouTube.
All of the 48 players were dropped off to their starting tee for the shotgun start in traditional black cabs.
DJ hit the fairway at No.1 and Mickelson, too, found the short stuff with a baby fade.
From there, the action was thick and fast. A live scoreboard was up on the left hand side of the screen for the viewer.
Golf fans on Twitter didn't take long to voice their opinion. Some loved it, some hated it.
Phil Mickelson got a very warm welcome as he teed off in the inaugural event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series… #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/25OSHi6Jb4
— GolfMagic.com (@GolfMagic) June 9, 2022
More: Bryson DeChambeau confirms LIV Golf intentions
More: Poulter, Westwood involved in awkward exchange
See what they had to say below:
The broadcast team for LIV is going soooo overboard on the compliments and positivity… the golf is very average and that’s going to be a big problem with guaranteed money for the marquee guys @NoLayingUp
— Tyler Ostrovsky (@tostrov) June 9, 2022
So LIV golf is just a crappier version of the PGA tour where the players get paid more? Because I haven’t seen anything exciting on this broadcast.
— Double Bogey (@ill_take_double) June 9, 2022
Seeing a lot more golf shots on the LIV broadcast than I'm used to, kinda an indictment on what the coverage has become with the PGA Tour. Feels dirty but I kinda like it
— Patrick Andrews (@pandrews_2) June 9, 2022
Did NOT expect the LIV Golf broadcast to be this solid, but I am genuinely impressed
— Nick Clarkson (@RealSilverTuna_) June 9, 2022
It being brand new and all is definitely playing a role here, but the LIV Golf broadcast has been pretty great thus far.
Some dumb comments here and there, but that’s the case for every broadcast in the history of broadcasts.— Mark Harris (@itismarkharris) June 9, 2022
Hand up, I am digging the LIV Golf broadcast.
— Riggs (@RiggsBarstool) June 9, 2022
Concept amazing, broadcast fine minus the Nickelodeon style leaderboard #LIVGolf
— Derik Frederiksen Jr (@DFrederiksenJr) June 9, 2022
#LIVGolf broadcast is very so-so. Frankly, I'd rather watch the Korn Ferry tournament over this. No hole flyovers, the commentating is mediocre. Lot's of work to do to get to the #PGATour level.
— TM (@theonlytmac) June 9, 2022
This is...not exactly how you'd expect the official first broadcast of a multibillion-dollar sports league to look. Peep the apparent "Live Golf" typo on the bottom ticker #LIVGolf pic.twitter.com/gi2GKPV1e0
— Derek Saul (@derek_saul) June 9, 2022
The talking heads are making fun of LIV golf but the FACT is they have knocked it out of the park with this broadcast.. of course it's not perfect but you could argue this is better than anything we've seen by the PGA tour this year & it will only get better
— Sports in Five (@sportsinfive) June 9, 2022
The “rules official” for the broadcast is in New Jersey, WTF is that?!?! No one, I mean no one else was available to make the trip across the pond?? #LIVGolf
— Par for the Course (@_Par4theCourse_) June 9, 2022
The #LIVGolf broadcast looks odd and sounds even odder. Lots of people talking over each other and too many 'gags'.
Cut the noises on the scoreboard please and just let the golf provide the entertainment.— Oliver Wilson (@O_J_Wilson) June 9, 2022
Those hoping the inaugural #LIVGolf broadcast would be an embarrassment have been disappointed thus far. The static scoreboard on the left side of the screen is something PGA Tour broadcasts should have adopted years ago.
— Dave Ongie (@DaveOngie) June 9, 2022
Other than the completely indiscernible leaderboard, this LIV Golf broadcast looks and sounds *checks notes* like every other golf broadcast I've ever watched
— James Colgan (@jamescolgan26) June 9, 2022
Every time the scoreboard updates on the #LIVGolf broadcast I think I get an email or text
— nick price (@nickprice91) June 9, 2022
Watching Liv Golf this morning
The broadcast is definitely faster more action packed
More shots per minute no swing analysis or infographics
Very old school Euro Tour feel I very much like— Porter Wiley (@porterwiley) June 9, 2022
Just watching the @LIVGolfInv tournament live on YouTube. Have to say the broadcast is great with no commercials and the shotgun start makes for non-stop action. So far, I’m loving what I see! #golf #pga #youtube #LIVGolf
— Dustin Kersey (@dustin_kersey) June 9, 2022
What did you think of the broadcast? Will you be tuning in to watch more LIV Golf? Let us know on our social media channels.
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Now watch our latest YouTube video:
Next page: We walked the course with Phil Mickelson
Ben joined the GolfMagic team in September 2021, initially as a content executive.
These days, he assumes the position of content manager.
