Top level professional golf is currently being dominated by the discussion surrounding the emergence of the LIV Golf Invitational Series. Whereas the PGA and European Tours have long been the established orders in the sport, the Saudi-backed event is now threatening upset the apple cart.
A huge amount of money is on offer to those who take part, although doing so would put their participation in the more traditional events in jeopardy. A large number of players have already had requests to appear in the maiden LIV Golf event next month turned down by their respective tours.
Phil Mickelson has also found himself in hot water over his comments relating to LIV Golf, taking a break from golf and missing the opportunity to defend his PGA Championship this week as a result.
Padraig Harrington has revealed that he was not one of the players invited to take part in the Saudi event.
Speaking to RTÉ, he said he is glad that this is the case as he can understand why it would be a difficult decision to make.
I haven't been offered anything so I don't need to make any decision.
I'm delighted (that) I don't have to make a decision. Put it like this, it would be tough in five or six years' time if I'm sitting there feeling like I've left 50 million on the table...
It's all that's been talked about. I could hear every table at the Champions Tour last week talking about it.
If you're not involved, there's a certain amount of drama isn't it? If you are involved, it's interesting and strange times ahead.
A number of high profile players have been outspoken against the LIV Golf Invitational Series, with Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods voicing their opinions again this week.
While it is one thing for the top earner to shun the advances of the new tour, Harrington believes it is a more complicated decision for those who find themselves in the middle of the pack.
What is going to happen? Where is world golf going to be?
I can understand the European Tour when they turned down the PGL offer originally. They didn't want to rock the boat but that boat is being rocked with pretty rough seas ahead.
I think there will be at least 30 European players who've gone to look for releases and they're going to be playing for 12 and a half times what they're playing for every week.
When you start seeing people turn up who you're better than and they're winning $4 million, that will be hard on other players. I can understand why those 30 individuals in Europe, middle of the road players, have gone, 'this is a life-changing opportunity.
It is certainly an interesting time for golf, with this period have the potential to define how the sport is set up for the next few decades.
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