{"id":537480,"date":"2026-04-18T08:51:26","date_gmt":"2026-04-18T08:51:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/537480\/"},"modified":"2026-04-18T08:51:26","modified_gmt":"2026-04-18T08:51:26","slug":"was-liv-good-for-golf-plus-vintage-warriors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/537480\/","title":{"rendered":"Was LIV good for golf? Plus, vintage Warriors"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Pulse Newsletter \ud83d\udce3 | This is The Athletic\u2019s daily sports newsletter. Sign up here<\/a> to receive The Pulse directly in your inbox.<\/p>\n

Good morning! Sign a supermax today. Inside:\u00a0<\/p>\n

While You Were Sleeping: Steph, man<\/p>\n

The NBA Play-In games continue to be great, led last night by one of the best players we\u2019ve ever seen. Quickly:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Words run out when describing Steph Curry, who poured a vintage glass of his own shooting and served it to the Clippers<\/a> last night in Golden State\u2019s heart-pounding 126-121 win. The Clips led for most of this game, and then the Warriors \u2014 Curry, along with Draymond Green \u2014 looked 28 again as they went on a run in the game\u2019s final minutes. Just look at this go-ahead 3-pointer:<\/p>\n

STEPH CURRY GIVES THE WARRIORS THE LEAD!<\/p>\n

GSW 120
LAC 117<\/p>\n

50.4 TO PLAY IN A MUST-WIN GAME \ud83c\udf7f pic.twitter.com\/HgYTHtLlOp<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 NBA (@NBA) April 16, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

Goodness. It\u2019s jarring to see that and then realize this was a matchup of the ninth and 10th seeds in the Western Conference. Golden State has to play Phoenix just to make it to a playoff series. L.A. is done.
Meanwhile, Tyrese Maxey led the 76ers into the full playoffs with 31 points in Philly\u2019s 109-97 win<\/a> in the early game, including seven straight late in the fourth quarter to put the game away. The Sixers advance to play the Celtics, and while we shouldn\u2019t expect an upset, don\u2019t forget Zach Harper\u2019s point to us a week ago about a healthy Philadelphia team having a shot.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Moving on to a more serious matter:<\/p>\n

Sagas: RIP, LIV?<\/p>\n

Looking back, it is hard to believe LIV is just four years old. The renegade golf league upended the sport, bending tradition and throwing around money like it was water. Angst exploded from all corners of the golf world. The reasons were layered and political.\u00a0<\/p>\n

And then yesterday, The Athletic reported<\/a> the disruptor outfit could be shuttered in a matter of days. Saudi Arabia\u2019s Public Investment Fund is mulling pulling its funding of the league. The timing of this \u2014 LIV is supposed to host a tournament in Mexico City this week \u2014 is shocking, while the outcome is less so.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Two points:\u00a0<\/p>\n

LIV\u2019s entire ethos has been obscene amounts of money. It began by throwing hundreds of millions of dollars at every notable golfer on the planet. Some bit, notably including Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and eventually Jon Rahm. The new league promised a better product than the PGA Tour offered: three-round tournaments, splashy parties, private planes. Luxury and excess replaced tradition.
It never stuck, and my lingering memory of the company \u2014 should it indeed fold \u2014 is how it tore the sport apart<\/a>. The term \u201csportwashing\u201d has never been more relevant, as detractors accused the Saudi-backed league of papering over humanitarian disasters with golf money. And on a more boring note \u2026 nobody watched the actual golf.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Just look at this stat from our story: \u201cLIV lost $590.1 million in its United Kingdom-based entity alone in 2024.\u201d The league is burning cash with little return.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Eric Espada \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

There is a thought I can\u2019t get out of my head in all this, though, and I want your opinion on it: Is golf in a better place now, partially, thanks to LIV? Two sides of my brain:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yes, the PGA has won here emphatically, but don\u2019t forget the many changes the tradition-steeped league has made to its financial reward structure. Purses are up across the board in response to the LIV threat. Rory McIlroy won $4.5 million at the Masters last weekend, more than double what Hideki Matsuyama won in 2021 ($2.07 million).
But man, remember how mad everybody was? Still is? I truly wonder if the sport lost any fans during this time. Maybe this new reality makes everything better, but I\u2019m not sure.\u00a0<\/p>\n

So, is golf better now? Email me thoughts at thepulse@theathletic.com<\/a>, and make sure you\u2019re subscribed to see poll results in tomorrow\u2019s newsletter.<\/p>\n

News to Know\"\"<\/p>\n

\n Christian Petersen \/ Getty Images<\/p>\n

A\u2019ja Wilson, supermax player
The most decorated player in WNBA history signed the league\u2019s richest contract yesterday, a three-year, $4.4 million deal with Las Vegas that could reach $4.7 million with incentives. Wilson was a free agent this offseason, which coincided with the league\u2019s historic new collective bargaining agreement, but zero people expected the 29-year-old to leave the Aces. This all comes after she made $200,000 last year. Wild. She\u2019s quite deserving<\/a>.<\/p>\n

McGonigle joins rich prospect ranks
Tigers rookie sensation Kevin McGonigle agreed to an eight-year, $150 million contract yesterday, becoming the latest first-year big leaguer to get big money early. He has been awesome in the early going this year, hitting .313 with a .905 OPS for a Detroit team that figures to contend. Cody Stavenhagen\u2019s story from an emotional Detroit day will make you root for the 21-year-old<\/a>.<\/p>\n

NFL onboards replacement refs
In what we can all hope merely amounts to a negotiating tactic, the NFL has begun onboarding possible replacement referees in case the league and the referees\u2019 union are unable to ratify a collective bargaining agreement by May 31. If we do see replacement refs this season, is another Fail Mary in store? A botched tush push call? I shudder. Read our full update here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

More news:<\/p>\n

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Barcelona Open with injuries to his right wrist and forearm. It doesn\u2019t sound great<\/a>.
\nNBA ratings are up, even with the wide array of broadcasters. See the numbers<\/a>.
\nRed Sox star Jarren Duran said he flipped off a fan Tuesday in Minneapolis because the fan told the outfielder to kill himself. The Twins are conducting an investigation<\/a>.
\nA former executive sued Adidas and claimed the company fired her for reporting gender discrimination. Read the full story<\/a>.
\nThe woman who accused Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua of biting her withdrew her restraining order request yesterday. More here<\/a>.
\nThe Swiss men\u2019s national hockey team fired its head coach after learning he forged a COVID-19 vaccination card<\/a> in 2022.
\nLehigh\u2019s baseball team set an NCAA record by scoring 20 runs in the first inning of a game Tuesday. Final score: 38-6<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcf0\u00a0Find more news here 24\/7<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Watch Guide<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa NHL: Blues at Mammoth
7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
This is the final day of the NHL regular season, and Utah is a playoff team for the first time since relocating from Arizona. The Mammoth are also locked into a first-round matchup with the Golden Knights, and while Las Vegas will be favored, Utah should be thankful it avoided the second wild-card spot and a date with the Avalanche. Anyway, this game should be a celebration. <\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa MLB: Mariners at Padres
8:40 p.m. ET on MLB Network
What\u2019s up with Seattle, our preseason pick to win the World Series? As our Power Rankings detailed, Cal Raleigh just hasn\u2019t been good yet<\/a>, and the M\u2019s are 8-11 in the early going. San Diego (12-6) has been great. Good game. <\/p>\n

Get tickets to games like these here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Pulse Picks<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Here is the definitive story inside the Toronto Maple Leafs\u2019 stunning failure this season. There is chaos, dysfunction and a special appearance from AI. What a read<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Another must-read today: Sam Blum on the One Riot, One Ranger statue that was deemed too controversial to display at a Dallas airport. So why did the Texas Rangers give it a home?<\/a><\/p>\n

The past two years, the Timberwolves have been the NBA\u2019s next big thing, a group of big talents poised to become a legit title threat. The talk has cooled despite a good season. The \u201cthree-headed goat\u201d is still hungry, though<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Have you seen the MLB \u201cSimpsons\u201d hats? They rule, and the league is planning on more<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Many NFL teams worried about George Kittle during the draft process in 2017 because, well, Kittle liked to party. Then he put on the workout of his life while hungover<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most-clicked in the newsletter yesterday: Our story on Dianna Russini\u2019s departure<\/a> from The Athletic.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most-read on the website yesterday: Dane Brugler\u2019s seven-round mock draft<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udceb That\u2019s all for now! Say hello at thepulse@theathletic.com<\/a>, and check out our other newsletters<\/a>.<\/p>\n