There's nothing quite like a lazy weekend spent on the couch, binge-watching your favourite shows. And what better way to relax and unwind than by pairing your Netflix marathon with a few hours of live golf coverage?
Tiger Woods at Genesis Invitational
Genesis Invitational is on this weekend and, of course, all eyes are on Tiger Woods, who marked his return to competitive golf with three successive birdies and a score of 69.
Tiger Woods has a long history of playing at the Genesis Invitational dating back to the early days of his career. He first played at the event in 1992 as a 16-year-old amateur and has since gone on to win the tournament twice, in 1999 and 2007.
Woods' victory in 1999 was especially significant, as it was his first win on the PGA Tour in over a year. The win helped define his status as one of the top golfers in the world and marked the beginning of a new era of dominance for Woods.
The Genesis Invitational is one of the most prestigious events on the PGA tour and Wood’s presence will undoubtedly be a major draw for fans and spectators this weekend. Even as he nears the end of his career, Woods remains one of the most compelling figures in the world of golf, and his performance at the tournament will be closely watched by all golf lovers.
Photo Credits: GOLF.COM / GETTY IMAGES
Full Swing on Netflix
I’ve mentioned in one of my previous posts, the anticipation for the new immersive documentary series on Netflix, Full Swing, which follows a diverse group of professional golfers on and off the course during a restless season of competition.
Now that I’ve watched a few episodes, I can say that what sets Full Swing apart from other golf shows is the level of talent showcased. With a roster of some of the biggest names in the game, including several major champions, the competition is fierce and the stakes are high. It’s interesting to see how they brought the players’ stories together in the midst of the tense 2022 PGA Tour Season, which adds a fascinating layer to the viewing experience.
Overall, while Full Swing offers an entertaining viewing experience with excellent coverage of the evolving landscape of golf, impressive cinematography, and engaging behind-the-scenes footage, it leaves much to be desired in terms of in-depth exploration of the game, missing several opportunities to delve deeper into the world of golf.
Would it be enough to get people more involved in the game?
Ladies European Tour
The Saudi Ladies International is also taking place this weekend at the Royal Greens Golf and Country Club.
Lydia Ko has kicked off the 2023 season with a strong start, taking an early lead in Saudi Arabia, after taking a 12-week break from tournaments. After her last appearance at the LPGA's season-ending CME Tour Championship back in November, the top-ranked women's player has made a fantastic comeback, shooting an impressive eight-under 64.
She is now sharing the lead in the first round of the Saudi Ladies International and will be interesting to see how the tournament unfolds over the weekend.
Photo Credits: Photosport
Looking ahead
The second season of the controversial LIV Golf is starting next week. Throughout the season, there will be fourteen 54-hole tournaments, featuring twelve teams and 48 players, and a team championship event at the end of the season in November.
Unlike the format of the 2022 Invitational Series, where some players switched teams repeatedly, the 2023 season is set to have players sign with a single team and stay with the same team for the entire season.
LIV Golf has successfully recruited numerous elite players, among them Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson, and Cameron Smith, all of whom are major champions. However, notable players like Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have opted not to participate in the league.
In the United States, The CW Network will broadcast LIV tournaments under a multi-year deal that has been recently signed. Here in the UK, the tournaments will be streamed on LIV’s Youtube channel and Facebook page, with no major TV broadcaster having picked up the tournament yet.
Enjoy the weekend!
Andy
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