LIV Golf’s rise as a potent force in the golfing sphere continues unabated, with the platform recently joining forces with YouTube star Rick Shiels to create engaging content. This unexpected partnership sparked a wave of surprise across the digital golfing populace, given Shiels’ prior criticism of certain elements of LIV. However, the strategic alliance is undoubtedly a financial boon for Shiels and his team.
In a retrospective analysis of Shiels’ past comments about LIV, we find he had several unresolved queries as of 2025. He once revealed a conversation with Sir Nick Faldo on his podcast in 2022, during which they discussed LIV’s impact on the golfing landscape. At that time, Shiels suggested that the arrival of LIV was welcomed by several players, including those belonging to the PGA Tour.
He commented, “From a viewer’s perspective, it provides an alternative option. It’s a four-hour viewing experience with a shotgun start and other features.” However, he also voiced concerns about golf content saturation, stating, “From a viewer’s perspective, it’s challenging to keep track of everything. Whether you’re a fan of PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LIV, LPGA, LET, keeping up with everything requires a multitude of screens running round the clock.”
Amid these concerns, Shiels recognized LIV’s disruptive potential. He noted that many players, even those intending to stay with the PGA Tour, saw LIV’s emergence as timely and beneficial. He observed that the PGA Tour was making more investments and offering increased opportunities in response to LIV. While acknowledging the financial incentives of moving to LIV, Shiels also highlighted the risk it posed, coupled with fewer events and more off-season time.
Discussing the financial prospects of LIV Golf players, Shiels posed a critical question about the importance of legacy versus money. He said, “Some of these big names are already multi-millionaires. It baffles me when they want more, considering how much they can actually spend. What else can they buy—a new yacht or a £50 million house?”
With golfing giants like Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler remaining loyal to the PGA Tour, Shiels’ question seems to have been answered. Nevertheless, the dynamic nature of golf means that the status quo can change rapidly, as we’ve witnessed over the past year.