15 May 2023 , 15:56
1299
0
The past 12 months has been a year like no other in professional golf, with the emergence of the LIV Golf Series seemingly tearing the sport into two rivalling sides.
Since its inception last summer, LIV has certainly ruffled the feathers of golf's traditionalists - more specifically those at the PGA Tour. In a bid to thwart off the threat of their new-found rivals, PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan issued suspensions to any golfer making the switch to the Saudi-funded series.
With their battle lines instantly drawn, the relationship between the American-based circuit and LIV Golf began sourly, and with neither seemingly keen to settle their differences things have only worsened.
As well as the powers that be, players on either side of the rivalry have also taken aim at their rivals. The PGA Tour's Rory McIlroy has arguably been the most vocal in criticising the breakaway league, whilst LIV poster boy Phil Mickelson has returned the favour.
Amid all the animosity though, it seems relationships are not as broken as first seemed. When discussing potential fallouts, Billy Foster - caddie of US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick - talking to Boyle Sports about Golf Betting - said: "I don’t think that’s the case at all.
Bubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut
Billy Foster caddies for US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick (Getty Images)"When you see Dustin Johnson at the Masters and everyone giving him a big hug and saying ‘Hi DJ, missing you.’ There's no animosity.”
Augusta National provided the perfect venue for a temporary truce between the two rival tours, and the hope with many is that this will be replicated at Oak Hill this week, as 17 LIV golfers return for the second major of the year at the PGA Championship.
For Foster, he will no doubt be pleased to see a number of his fellow caddies who have made the move to Saudi-backed circuit with his players. And after speaking to a number of them, it seems they are more than happy with the decision their player has made.
"I have got a few good mates on LIV and they say it’s incredible and absolutely brilliant. They are loving it," he added.
What are your thoughts on LIV Golf? Let us know in the comments section below.
A number of LIV players returned for last month's Masters (Getty Images)“The atmosphere, the vibe, the shotgun starts, everyone out at the same time. Free beer, free hotels, free flights, it’s great money whether you played good or bad. I mean what's not to like about it as a caddie?! You are working less and getting paid more.”
Three of the biggest names to make the Saudi switch were European trio Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia. Their move brought a sad end to three of Europe's most coveted Ryder Cup stars, with the trio no longer eligible to play for or captain their contitnent due to their LIV allegiances.
Foster - who has worked with both Westwood and Garcia - believes it is a 'travesty' that the defectors will never be able to lead Europe into a Ryder Cup. The caddie commented: "I think it's an absolute travesty that those players, two of whom I caddied for, are not going to be Ryder Cup captains. I think that's incredibly sad for what they've done for the European tour and for what they've done over the years."