Tom Hobbs retweeted
I think Eddie, and some other DP World Tour players, have missed the point on this. It’s not about giving players a soft landing, being fair, or even trying to sell more tickets. Guy Kinnings and the DP World Tour are welcoming LIV Players if they don’t sign up to the new league with one goal in mind, to kill a competitor.
Seeing others speculate on the topic, I had to throw my hat into the ring. I couldn't help myself.
Free to read this one..
thechippingforecast.substack…
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Court filings from LIV Golf’s bankruptcy reveal that CEO Scott O’Neil received a $6.375 million “Retention Payment” on 24th June 2026. This figure is 2.3 times his annual pay base.
At the same time, vendors were going unpaid and a few weeks before the payment LIV Golf had postponed their inaugural event in New Orleans.
LIV Golf filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September with $15 million in cash. They had large numbers of unpaid creditors, including players, and announced layoffs to the majority of their staff. They also cancelled their Team Championship in Michigan a few weeks prior.
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Per recently filed court documents, LIV Golf executives were paid out nearly $15 million in retention payments in the months leading up to the bankruptcy filing. These payments are intended to retain key employees throughout the restructuring period.
A lot of the ugly side of bankruptcy is generally written off as "ugly, but commonplace". Things like unpaid leases, payment lapses in contracts, things like that. It's all ugly, but not out of the norm for companies going through this process.
But for that to be happening while executives were taking 6, and in many instances 7 figure payments in addition to their regular salary, is concerning. For small businesses to go unpaid, for fan-forward features to be turned off, for concerts that people had paid for to be cancelled, that's all problematic.
And for all of that to happen while the outward messaging is one of understanding, of building a sustainable business, of wanting to make these small businesses whole so that they can continue working with them in the future.
I fully understand the need for some of this. If you lose the CEO, CFO, or president during a restructuring period, it could be an insurmountable setback. But some of the amounts are excessive, and some of the employees non-essential. In fact, there are employees that received large retention payments that I have on multiple occasions specifically named as people that hold LIV back from being as good as it could be.
LIV is great because it was fan-forward, it was different, they had a certain energy about them. That's what needs to come back out of this restructuring, if anything. Passionate employees working nonstop to build the best possible product for the fans, for the players, and for the game. Not this. This is Jay Monahan cutting tour cards while taking millions in bonuses and making "donations" to his own kids ritzy private school type stuff.
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Northern Irishman Tom McKibbin has also announced he is leaving LIV Golf to play full time on the DP World Tour in 2027
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Personally, I think the amount of LIV players returning to the DP World Tour in 2027 is a great thing for the future of the circuit. It will inevitably draw more eyeballs as recognised names try to rebuild their careers in the established eco system. Especially some of the young guys who will join the many incredibly talented players already out there.
Competition for dual PGA Tour cards in 2027 is going to be the most competitive it’s ever been and I can’t wait to watch it play out.
Lucas Herbert, an integral member of the all Australian Ripper GC on LIV Golf, has confirmed to me he is leaving the league to play on the DP World Tour in 2027.
Lucas won twice on the LIV Golf League this season and shot an historic 62 at Royal Birkdale on his way to a T6 at The Open. He is also the third highest ranked Australian in the world and will be a huge asset to the DP World Tour next season.
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Lucas Herbert, an integral member of the all Australian Ripper GC on LIV Golf, has confirmed to me he is leaving the league to play on the DP World Tour in 2027.
Lucas won twice on the LIV Golf League this season and shot an historic 62 at Royal Birkdale on his way to a T6 at The Open. He is also the third highest ranked Australian in the world and will be a huge asset to the DP World Tour next season.
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Branden Grace has told Supersport SA that he is joining his captain Louis Oosthuizen and leaving LIV Golf. Branden was a member of the all South African Southern Guards GC and plans to return to the DP World Tour in 2027.
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Former world long drive champion Martin Borgmeier made an ace on the famous par 5 6th hole at Bay Hill in a simulator recently while using a fairway wood. He didn’t even seem to like the shot so it must have been a mishit.
What do you even call a hole in one on a par 5?
Kyle Berkshire broke his own world record for the longest drive in history recently with a 588.3 yard bomb, beating the previous record of 579.6 yards.
Kyle posted on Instagram to say:
“This is one of the biggest accomplishments of my career: I pushed my world record drive from 579.6 yards to 588.3 yards.
“The amount of work and training it took to push the bar another 9 yards is hard to put into words, but it was worth all the pain, sweat, and tears to get it done.
“I have so many amazing people in my corner pushing me to be at my best, and I feel so fortunate to be in a position to show what's possible in a sport I love.
“I have spent the last decade pushing the limits of what's physically possible with a golf club, and I don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
“600 yards, here we come!”
Link to full video: youtu.be/-bi72dj2C9c?si=JWcS…
Tom Hobbs retweeted
JJ Spaun is a massive fan of the TV show Clarkson’s farm. His wife was even wearing a Jeremy Clarkson mask when he won the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in September.
JJ has now posted on Instagram a photo with his family at Diddly Squat Farm and has also announced he has donated a portion of his winnings to the Addington Fund, who help farming families in times of need through housing and emergency relief.
JJ delivered a fantastic press conference after his victory at the DP World Tour’s flagship event and he’s proving to be a fitting champion.
@ClarksonsFarm1 @DPWorldTour
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Louis Oosthuizen, captain of the all South African Southern Guards GC on the LIV Golf League has announced he will not commit to LIV Golf 2.0
Speaking to the South China Morning Post ahead of the Link Hong Kong Open, Louis said:
“It’s time to move on… It’s a lot of international travel for single events.”
He then went on to talk about getting himself ready to compete at St Andrews next year for The Open:
“I’ve had some success at majors, but you work and play to have a sniff of that again. I’m at a different stage of my golfing life (from when he won The Open) but it’s pretty sweet when you still get called the Open Champion.
“I hope to get my body and my game in a place next year (to be able to compete in majors)… the Open is at a course I love and where I’ve won. The goal is to get my game as sharp as possible, to have myself ready, then see how it goes.”
League sources have told me Southern Guards GC was one franchise where the leadership were originally expecting all players to commit to the new enterprise if it happens, so this will be a huge blow if Louis does move on.
Image courtesy of @asiantourgolf
Tom Hobbs retweeted
4 LIV players have entered DP World Tour Second Stage Q School on October 29 - Nov 1.
Jose Luis Ballester - Fontanals GC
Luis Masaveu - Golf Las Pinaillas
Sam Horsfield - Isla Canela Links
Michael La Sasso - Desert Springs Resort
Notably, Michael La Sasso also has a sponsor exemption into the Mauritius Open on the DP World Tour in December.
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Eugenio Chacarra was the first player I ever interviewed for Flushing It. He’d only been a pro for a few months, but was already talking about wanting to be number 1 in the world and how hard he was going to work to get there.
I’ve interviewed him several times since, but most notably in 2024 when I saw him in Macau for an Asian Tour event that was opposite the Players Championship. He made a bee line for me during his round, and, even though he was under contract with LIV Golf, he made it clear that he wanted to be at Sawgrass on the PGA Tour, and he was going to work as hard as possible to get there.
The end of the 2025 season he left LIV Golf with no status on the DP World Tour. But he again explained that his goal was to earn a PGA Tour card as soon as possible because it was his childhood dream. A few weeks after that interview, while playing on a sponsor exemption at the Indian Open, he won on the DP World Tour and earned full status through the 2027 season.
This year, he’s now won 3 times, is top of the Race to Dubai standings and more importantly for his goals, he’s well inside the top 50 in the world that will qualify him for his first Masters in 2027. He’s also in position to win the number 1 PGA Tour card on offer via the DP World Tour standings that will qualify him for the Players Championship and the early season Signature Events.
After the victory today at the DP World India Championship, Eugenio once again shared his desire to be the best:
“I know what I'm capable of, I was one of the best amateurs in the world and I wanted to be one of the best professional players in the world. I work really hard, I've got a great team surrounding me, they're always trying to make me better and I think we've been doing a great job. Great hard work and it's paying off and I'm really thankful for it.”
Eugenio Chacarra is exactly what we need more of in the professional game. He’s very open about his lofty goals, has incredible self belief and work ethic, and he wears his heart on his sleeve.
He may not be the world number 1 yet, but leading the Race to Dubai having only played in 1 major this year shows just how good he is. He’s going to be a real problem on the PGA Tour next year and I can’t wait to watch how he gets on.
@Eugeniochacarra @DPWorldTour
26 year old Spaniard Eugenio Chacarra wins the DP World India Championship by 2 shots over Daniel Hillier. It’s his 6th worldwide win, 4th DP World Tour win, 3rd win of the season and the victory puts him top of the Race to Dubai standings.
@Eugeniochacarra @DPWorldTour
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Wang Wei-hsuan from Taiwan eagled the last to make a playoff, then birdied the first playoff hole to beat Sungjae Im and win the Macau Open on the Asian Tour.
Clutch from Wang 🏆
@asiantourgolf
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Despite being one of the most consistent players and ball strikers in the world, Sungjae Im hasn’t won anywhere on any tour since 2024. But after rounds of 64, 63 and 69, he co-leads the Macau Open on the Asian Tour heading into the final round. Can he finally get it across the line?
@asiantourgolf
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Justin Rose has a refreshing opinion on welcoming LIV Golfer back on the DP World Tour and PGA Tours. Speaking to Sam Frost of the Mirror, Justin once again showed his class:
“Rahm's departure is good for the established tours, whether that be the DP World Tour in the short term or the PGA Tour in the long term.
“Obviously, Jon's not the only one. There's a lot of other great players in situations that he's found himself in. It’s been an experiment; a whirlwind four or five years.”
He went on to say:
“No hard feelings from my point of view. Everyone is welcome back. It’s great for golf for players to be able to play against the best players in the world as often as we can.
“That's what we've always talked about and always wanted. And I think the disruption of it all, the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, have had to become better versions of themselves. I think basically pretty much every player in the game has benefited one way or another, and hopefully it can now settle and we can find a really good balance.”
Justin has the opportunity to join LIV Golf in 2022 for a huge signing on fee and rejected the opportunity. Since then, he’s won 3 times on the PGA Tour, had 6 top 10s in majors including 2 runner ups, played on back to back winning Ryder Cup sides, and returned to the top 10 in the world earlier this year. He’d have every right to be bitter, but he once again showed his class with this answer.
Shout out to Sam for another great exclusive from his trip to India. Give him a follow @FrostyGolf
@JustinRose99
Full article: themirror.com/sport/golf/jus…
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Joost Luiten went off on LIV players returning to the DP World Tour earlier this week. A few days later and he’s tied for the lead with 2 LIV players heading into the weekend of the India Championship. Golf has a funny way of delivering these storylines.
I spoke with Joost Luiten, who has plenty of thoughts on LIV players returning to the DP World Tour.
"Four years ago they didn't give a shit about the DPWT. If they think they're that good, go show it at Q School."
Interview @TheTodaysGolfer: todays-golfer.com/news-and-e…
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Eddie Pepperell is currently 100th on the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai and needing a good week in India to secure his card for 2027.
Today he just shot a 6 under par 66, to climb to tied 5th heading into the weekend. He’s well in contention to potentially win his first title since the 2018 British Masters.
Huge couple of days ahead for the Englishman.
Tom Hobbs retweeted
Thomas Pieters from Belgium has confirmed to me he will not be signing up to LIV Golf 2.0. He was a member of Dustin Johnson’s 4 Aces for the last 2 seasons, but plans to play on the DP World Tour next year.
Thomas has won 6 times on the DP World Tour, including a Rolex Series event in 2022. He also competed on the 2016 European Ryder Cup side with a 4-1-0 record at Hazeltine.
It would be great to see him make a run at potentially qualifying for the team for Adare Manor 🇪🇺 🇧🇪
