Aside From Jim Nantz’s ‘CW’ Comment, PGA vs. LIV Rivalry Downplayed During Masters

After a week of the PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf rivalry seemingly downplayed all week—the Champions Dinner, practice rounds, par-3 contest, and first three days of the Masters went off with nary a mention of golf’s civil war—we got what we thought might turn the tide on Sunday.

Brooks Kopeka and Jon Rahm in the final pairing. A LIV Golf pro leading the Masters going into the final round and being chased by one of the PGA Tour’s elite.

Perhaps if it was close coming down the stretch, there would have been more tension. Rahm was steady while Koepka struggled, giving the Spaniard a four-shot victory and his first green jacket.

Jon Rahm wins the Green Jacket. #themasters pic.twitter.com/WZ2P2ehDP7

— The Masters (@TheMasters) April 9, 2023

CBS Sports boss Sean McManus said last week that the storyline would be mentioned if it were relevant to what was happening on the course. Otherwise, it wouldn’t be a big factor in the broadcast, and that was the case.

Except for one moment during Sunday morning’s rain-delayed third round. Jim Nantz, with his deadpan golf style and A-plus comedic timing, had this gem when Koepka approached his shot on the 15^th hole.

“And there he his, right on the CW…….the crosswalk”

Jim Nantz with a little troll of Koepka at #theMasters ?

(LIV buys time from the CW network so they can be on linear Tv) pic.twitter.com/tLjFKbtq02

— Chris Chaten (@ChrisChaten) April 9, 2023

Of course, the CW Network airs LIV Golf events. We’ll have to wait and see what Nantz says about this in the future, whether he had this in his back pocket or if it was a world-class ad-lib.

Overall, despite Koepka not holding on to the lead Sunday afternoon, it was a successful tournament for the LIV contingent. Among the top-six finishers, three were from LIV Golf: Koepka and Phil Mickelson tied for runner-up at -8, and Patrick Reed tied for fourth place at -7.

Koepka, who is the only golfer to win two LIV events, said their success shouldn’t be a surprise:

“We’re still the same people. I know if I’m healthy, I know I can compete. I don’t think any of the guys that played this event thought otherwise, either. When Phil plays good, we know he’s going to compete. Reed, the same thing. I think [the narrative is] just manufactured by the media that we can’t compete anymore; that we are washed up.”

Greg Norman, who said last week that all 18 LIV players would celebrate on the 18^th green if one of their own won, was strangely silent on social media after his group performed well.

He did, however, Retweet a post by LIV Golf itself, which was classy in congratulating Rahm on his victory.

Huge congratulations to @JonRahmpga and everyone at @TheMasters. A thrilling week of golf that has set the tone for a great year of Major Championships.

— LIV Golf (@livgolf_league) April 10, 2023

We’ll see the two leagues co-mingle again at the PGA Championship, starting May 18 in Rochester, New York.

Cover Image Via MSN