The new and controversial LIV golf group is in its second week and despite its monster payouts it's anybody's guess how long it will last in its present state.

    After 36 holes (out of 54) in the event at Pumpkin Ridge in Portland, Dustin Johnson is tied for the lead with rounds of 68-68-136, 8 under par. Carlos Ortiz is also 8 under with rounds of 67-69-136, followed by Branden Grace at 6 under and Justin Harding (who?) at 5 under. 

    Seminole Books Koepka (70-70-140) is 4 under, tied with Ocala's Louis Oosthuizen (71-69-140) and three others. 

    The LIV site says that today's finale is sold out, but will it continue that way if Sergio Garcia continues to shoot 6 over par, and Phil Mickelson 10 over, as they finished in the first event in London? Phil goes into today's round after a pair of 75s; he's 6 over and tied for 36th.

    It's a major question as to just how long it will take for fans to shrug off the newness of the whole affair when Itthipat Buranatanyarat shoots 79-74, Sadom Kaewkanjana 82-70, Phachara Khongwatmai 77-75 and Jediah Morgan 76-84, to pinpoint just a few? There are plenty more of the cold-shooting no-names among the league of 48.

    Charl Schwartzel won the London event and collected $4 million. Hennie Duplessis, a huge favorite in his own household, was second, worth $2,125,000, and Petr Uihlein's tie for third was worth $1,275, 000 more than his whole career on the PGA Tour. 

    The players making the huge paychecks will continue to support Greg Norman's folly, and why not? But what will happen if the LIV goes under and Phil and Dustin and Louis and Sergio and Bryson all ask to come back to the PGA? Will they be accepted, or will the PGA guys say no dice, traitors! This is a story that won't say 'the end' for a while.    

comments powered by Disqus