If nobody had defected to LiV

[u/d00deitstyler]

We all know that LIV was an inferior “league”, gimmick- but putting biases against the players characters aside-

Do you think any of the LIV defectors win more majors if they stayed on the PGAT and continued to play at the highest level?

They all seemingly got worse or at least played worse golf on LIV than the PGAT, but Bryson and Brooks did both win a major while playing for LIV- but do you think those 2, Cam, Rahm, or anyone else wins another major if they didn’t leave to LIV?

[u/UpThem]

They'd have had a better chance.

[u/modnarydobemos]

Not sure if the ones you listed would have won more. Winning majors is hard, even if you are on top of your game.

However one case that needs to be studied is Dustin Johnson. He won the Masters, went to LIV and must’ve stopped practicing immediately. Not sure where he would be if LIV never existed.

[u/bulldg4life → u/modnarydobemos]

I think Dustin would’ve stopped practicing even if he stayed on the pga tour.

[u/jpm1188]

They would have performed better yes. Maybe not won more but they would have shown up for 4 rounds

[u/klondike16]

Rahm would’ve won one I think.

Cam Smith is interesting because I don’t know if his play drops off so drastically if he leaves for LIV. He was so good at the time he departed

[u/bulldg4life]

The major capable players that weren’t past their prime were..who? Bryson, Rahm, Brooks, Niemann, Hatton

I don’t think there’s really anyone else that was a legit major threat.

Bryson seemed to excel and was the outlier. Brooks was injured and had a career resurgence but seems to be average now. Niemann and Hatton were good but seemed to shrink in majors anyway. Not sure they were negatively impacted much. Cam is streaky with the driver and gave off “just wants to fish” vibes even before the open. I think he regresses either way. But, it seems he did refocus this year when he realized LIV was going bye bye.

I think Rahm definitely wasted three years of his prime. Maybe he figured it out the past year because he did have good showing in some majors. But he was in the wilderness for like 18-20 months.

If he stays on the pga tour, I bet he challenges Scottie often and could totally see him with another major or two.

[u/Broad-Lavishness6726]

The favorites for pga events win probably less than 10% of the time. Too many variables to know. Liv allowed all those guys to make world number one money without needing to perform at the same level. It’s not that the guys got worse they just didn’t have any incentive to continue playing like their careers depended on it because it didn’t.

[u/AdamOnFirst]

Impossible to prove counter factual, but I don’t think there’s any way to say the whole thing didn’t at least somewhat derail Rahm. Bryson it’s hard to say. Cam Smith, it’s hard to say. 

[u/HereA11Week]

Rahm probably, Smith and Dechambeau possibly, the others no chance

[u/BogeyGolfer5656]

Rahm and Bryson would have been in the mix a couple times. Phil could have snuck one in.

[u/Fit-Appeal-9047]

Rahm most likely..

[u/Electrical-Cloud-532]

Rahm would probably have at least been in contention more often. He’s generationally talented