Nick Faldo’s take on LIV Golf’s 3rd season: “They haven’t made much impact”

Nick Faldo launched a new broadside against LIV Golf, questioning not only its relevance but also its ability to attract and retain the public’s attention.

In Nick Faldo’s words, LIV Golf failed to move the needle in terms of viewership, a fact that he believes underscores the league’s decline compared to other forms of entertainment. The implications of these statements are significant, as they reflect a growing divide in the world of professional golf, where loyalties and economic interests are increasingly at stake.

Nick Faldo reiterated his position about the Saudi-backed league, saying it should refrain from engaging with the established tours:

“I think they [LIV] are an island and go and do their own thing. That’s absolutely fine with me, go and play their tour. And I think we are now seeing that, wow, they’ve had three seasons, and they haven’t made much impact on the [viewing] numbers. Quite amusingly, pickleball was bigger than their two stars [Brooks Koepka and Jon Rahm] in a play-off”.

Faldo’s position is that the alternative circuit is not beneficial to the sport of golf. He believes that it has caused a rift within the golf community, with players who have joined the league and those who remain loyal to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. While his stance is controversial, it reflects a deep concern for the future of golf as a globally unified sport.

Social Media Reaction to Nick Faldo’s words

Nick Faldo’s views have generated significant engagement on social media, with a range of reactions to his comments. Since his statements were made public, the golf community on platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) has demonstrated a combination of support and disagreement with his stance.

A tweet highlighting Faldo’s comments on Bunkered Golf’s X account generated a variety of responses. One user, Dave_Sn5 @sportsinfive, commented:

“I’m guessing Faldo wouldn’t call Rahm a liar to his face lmfao”, This was in reference to Jon Rahm’s recent statements that he is happy at LIV Golf. 

Andrew Kirby @AndrewKirbyGolf made a wry reference to “Sir Nick doubles down, Sheesh give it a rest.  At his prime Nick wanted to play less and focus on majors He loves and needs $ He would have been on LIV in a jiffy”. 

Nick Faldo and His Relationship with LIV Golf

Nick Faldo has a history of controversial situations within the golf industry, particularly those related to LIV Golf. Since the league’s inception, Faldo has been one of its most vocal critics, citing concerns about its disruptive model.

In previous interviews, he has openly expressed his disapproval of what he views as a mercantilist approach that prioritizes financial gain over the legacy and integrity of the sport.

Nick Faldo has repeatedly questioned the long-term sustainability of LIV Golf, suggesting that its economic model, which relies on significant financial incentives to attract top players, is not viable. In his view, LIV Golf’s failure to capture a significant audience is evidence that the circuit has failed to deliver on its ambitious promises to “supercharge” golf.

The Debate on the Future of Golf

Despite criticism, LIV Golf has demonstrated resilience, continuing to expand and attracting some of the most prominent figures in international golf. However, Faldo’s statements prompt a crucial inquiry: Can LIV Golf truly coexist with the traditional tours, or is it destined to be a fleeting experiment that will eventually be integrated into existing frameworks?

The answer to this question will have significant implications not only for players and organizations, but also for the millions of fans who follow the sport with great enthusiasm.