television coverage through the American network CW, a twist to the team competition, which will now function as franchises with their own sponsors, merchandising and image, more tournaments, more signings… It is the second episode of the challenge of the liv to the establishment golf course, which starts this Friday at El Camaleón de Mayakoba, in the exotic area of Playa del Carmen (Mexico).
Still no points for the world ranking, but with the battle for the majors won (all have already announced their qualification criteria for this year, with no special restrictions for players enrolled in the Saudi super league)the wheel turns again once the initial pulse, that of survival, has been overcome.
The circuit, backed by the near-infinite manna of PIF, Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund, invested 740 million euros last year almost non-refundable, because the return, without big sponsorships neither television distribution (and small audiences compared to the PGA in its webcasts), it was scarce.
| Tournament | dates |
|---|---|
| mayakoba | February 24-26 |
| Tucson | March 17-19 |
| Orlando | March 31-April 2 |
| adelaide | April 21-23 |
| Singapore | April 28-30 |
| tulsa | May 12-14 |
| Washington D.C. | May 26-28 |
| Valderrama | June 30-July 2 |
| London | July 7-9 |
| greenbrier | August 4-6 |
| Bedminster | August 11-13 |
| Chicago | September 22-24 |
| Miami | 20-22 October |
| jeddah | November 3-5 |
Even so, the bet has been doubled with a calendar extended to 24 appointments, with stops ‘stolen’ from its competitors such as this inaugural (until last year on the PGA agenda) or the jewel of Spain, Valderrama (ex European Tour), and new signings. Petrodollars have convinced the Colombian Sebastián Muñoz, the Belgian Thomas Pieters (another potential member of the European team for the Ryder), the South African Dean Burmester, the New Zealand Danny Lee, the Chilean Mito Pereira and the American Brendan Steele.
Three Spaniards continue on the payroll: David Puig, enrolled in the Torque team, with a Latin flavor, completed by the Chilean Joaquín Niemann, captain, and the aforementioned Muñoz and Pereira; and Eugenio Chacarra and Sergio Garcia, both in the fireballs, commanded by him Castellón.
He has seen how this week adidas decided not to renew the contract who has joined their paths to those of the firm, who has also split pears with Dustin Johnson, for most of his career. A harsh reality has also been found: to play the British Open he will have to go to the previous one and the paths to the US Open and the PGA have been complicated for him. He is only guaranteed the Masters. But it will compete every week for bags of more than 20 ‘kilos’. Question of priorities, all legitimate.
