ST. SIMONS ISLAND, Ga. — The setting of the RSM Classic, the PGA Tour’s final fall event, has a serenity that can almost dissolve all cares.
The Sea Island Club Seaside Course, with spectacular views of the St. Simons Sound and weaving its way in and out of marshes, sea grass, sand dunes and centuries-old trees has been a balm to a golfer’s soul since the 1920s. Allow it, and the best players in the world can fall into a trance between shots, just as 20-handicappers do.
Golf’s current conflict, which has raged between the Tour and LIV Golf, seemed far away. It was all about a tee, a ball and the clubs, amid the best nature can offer.
Long-time St. Simons Island resident Zach Johnson called it “a perfect synergy between the Tour, Sea Island, RSM, Davis [Love III] and his foundation.”
But a peaceful setting didn’t necessarily lend itself to thoughts of a peaceful resolution to the PGA Tour vs. LIV war.
“I’m not optimistic,” said PGA Tour Policy Board member Charley Hoffman when asked if the upcoming break in golf could give both sides a chance to breathe deep and reflect on any possibility for conciliation. “I don’t see how you partner with them at this point in time. They don’t have a sustainable product.”
Kevin Kisner, who will end his current term on the Policy Board at the end of the year, was even more blunt.
“No … I don’t think that’s the future,” he said.
The LIV Golf logo at the 2022 LIV Golf Miami event at Trump National Doral in Miami. (Photo: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports)
Both tours on extended break
The conclusion of the RSM Classic two weeks ago started a 46-day hiatus from official-money tournament golf on the Tour, with the qualifiers for the Sentry Tournament of Champions gathering in Kapalua, Hawaii Jan. 5-8.
That’s six weeks and four days with a chance to recharge the mind or retool the swing or both, with the exception of three unofficial events in The Bahamas (the Hero World Challenge), Naples (the QBE Shootout) and Orlando (the PNC Championship).
Also on break is LIV Golf, which launched last June and conducted eight tournaments in the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, Saudi Arabia and Thailand.
It’s bankrolled by the Saudi Public Investment Fund and run by World Golf Hall of Fame member Greg Norman. LIV Golf has showered stars such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith, Sergio Garcia, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed with guaranteed contracts (rumored to be in excess of $100…
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