In partnership with Ladbrokes.com
Ex-European Tour pro John McHenry spoke to us regarding the current state of golf and discussed the ongoing battle between the PGA Tour, the DP World Tour, and the LIV Golf Tour.
McHenry first turned pro in 1987 and is currently doing punditry work for RTE at this week's Irish Open. He has been on the Irish golf scene for decades and is a voice to be listened to when discussing the future of the DP World Tour and the Irish Open.
"There's some big big changes going on at the moment I think one is a money game," says McHenry on this week's episode of The Buildup with Ladbrokes. "I think the strengths of the PGA Tour and the European Tour are relationships. They've got a brand there that is longstanding, they've built up strong relationships with sponsors and the media. They're a product that have been there for a long time, they've consistently delivered, therefore they're very trustworthy for sponsors and so on."
"You've got the new dog on the road which is LIV, throwing money left right and centre. But I'm not surprised to see the PGA Tour now backing the European Tour a lot stronger so that basically the PGA's voice will now become the European Tour's voice, and I think that's very very important for the PGA Tour. I think the stronger the brand is across the board with the PGA Tours across the world including the majors."
15 April 2004; John McHenry watches his drive from the 10th tee box during round 1 of the Irish PGA Championship at St Margaret's Golf and Country Club in Skephubble, Co. Dublin. Photo by Matt Browne/Sportsfile
"And I think there's two big factors here if they can pull the majors on their side and they can pull the world ranking list on their side and I think that they'll just simply see out LIV. And I think at the end of the day LIV has a lot of credibility issues still at this point in time, something that the PGA Tour can exasperate and can absolutely take ownership of. And I think that in terms of the bigger picture, I think the Irish Open has always got a very strong foothold within the PGA Tour and within the European Tour, and it wouldn't surprise me if I see the Irish Open being part of the PGA Tour schedule in the near future."
The first round of the Irish Open kicked off yesterday at Mount Juliet in Kilkenny. The tournament is in its 67th year and the reigning champion is Australia's Lucas Herbert. The second round is currently underway and top of the leaderboard is Spain's Jorge Campillo on 11 under par. Seamus Power is three shots back and is the best placed of the Irish, while Shane Lowry has all but missed the cut with just four holes to play.
SEE ALSO: LIV Golf Boss Greg Norman Throws Serious Shade At Irish Open And PGA Tour
