Less than half an hour was the duration of the Fireballs’ appearance before the Spanish media this Monday via videoconference. It was a kind of coming-out, although the most curious thing is that it is not even known for sure right now if in less than a month, when LIV Golf begins in Saudi Arabia, they will still be called Fireballs or will have changed to something, for example, related to bulls, as has been speculated in recent weeks. Captain Sergio García did not shed much light. “It is something that we are currently studying carefully and we want to do it right. We are evaluating different possibilities for both a name and image change, with the aim of identifying it more with Spain, but we have not yet decided.” We must wait.
Where the player from Borriol has been much more forceful is with the issue of the DP World Tour fines to the member players who are in LIV Golf, as well as with the changes being introduced in the competition format with the aim of receiving world ranking points as soon as possible. Regarding the fines, García is confident that “little by little they will disappear. I am especially hurt for the younger players, like the ones we have here,” he pointed out in reference to David Puig, Josele Ballester, and Luis Masaveu, his teammates. “I don’t particularly enjoy having to pay 1.5 million dollars in fines, but more or less, at a given moment, I can afford it. For them, it’s a very big problem. I hope they end up removing them.” He preferred not to comment, however, on the specific case of Jon Rahm. He didn’t even talk about his case and that of Tyrrell Hatton.
Regarding the changes in the format, Sergio was in favour of playing 72 holes. He is convinced, as are Puig, Ballester, and Masaveu, that it will end up rewarding the one who plays best that week. Josele even added that it could be a point in favour of the younger players, due to physical fitness. Obviously, they all hope that in the short or medium term these changes will serve to obtain world ranking points. More in the short term than the medium term.
However, there is a modification on the table that could come to light in the coming weeks that does not entirely convince Sergio. It involves playing the last round starting from the 1st tee in the traditional way. In LIV, this variant is being seriously considered for the fourth and final round, while in the first three rounds it would continue to be played shotgun style. “I hope they don’t change the shotgun start. I think it’s something unique to LIV Golf and identifies the circuit. Besides, it helps to maintain a high pace of play. I, for one, wouldn’t change it,” he assured.
However, we will have to see what happens if the field of LIV Golf is finally expanded further, the main idea now in the circuit. If a figure exceeding 70 players is reached, shotgun starts would be much more complicated and chaotic, not to mention impossible. Then, classic starts from the 1st tee would have to be used.
Regarding Brooks Koepka’s departure, Sergio commented that he has not had the opportunity to speak with him, but he does not delve into his decision. “Everyone is free to decide what they believe is best for their career and future. Time will tell if he was right or wrong.”
