Story By: Erin Zollars
Photos By: Sol Tucker
Lowes Island, VA–
The LIV Tour wrapped up their week of play in Virginia with a solid Sunday by Lucas Herbert at 24 under holding off Sergio Garcia at 20 under in what could be the last time the tour sees the Trump National Golf Course.
While many of the players commented on their thoughts about moving on should the LIV Tour cease at the end of the season, most seemed hopeful that that something would be worked out including Garcia who takes home $2.25 million for his second-place individual finish.
While this weekend might have been one of the more successful weekends since the tournament came to Virginia, the final day taking place on Mother’s Day could have lessened what the crowd could have been, because clearly the Saturday crowd was strong due to the after-play concert by Bailey Zimmerman and those who stuck around to President Trump inside of the Club 54 18th Green.
Many have criticized LIV hosting tournaments at the Presidents courses, but while the role most likely doesn’t have anything to do with the current tensions but has become a hot topic of Trump hosting these golf tournaments at his properties because there is little transparency around how much financial compensation his family is obtaining. The president’s assets are in a trust managed by his children, and Trump has said he wouldn’t be involved in running his business during his time in office.
The Trip to LIV on Saturday evening was the second straight weekend Trump has visited one of his courses hosting a tournament. Last weekend the President took a visit to Doral in Miami, which hosted the Cadillac Championship. Just like that tournament as here at LIV, people have questioned the crowd size and whether people are just not attending due to the course, or the lack of players present at each weekend stop.
The biggest names of the weekend for LIV in DeChambeau and Jon Rahm seemed to draw a decent gallery for most of the weekend but it was Herbert that might have had the best payday of the weekend when he finished his round, getting a shot to play in the U.S Open. Some victories on the LIV tour are bigger than the $4 million paycheck.
“My first major ever was at Shinnecock (in 2018),” Herbert said. “Nice to go back and see what I’ve learned since then. Can’t wait to get there and try to play like I did this week.”
For quite a few people that we talked to, they hoped it would not be the last time we see LIV. The younger crowd seems to like the concerts and the music along the way and upbeat party vibe at times. Either way, we need a pro event in DC and bringing back the old Kemper Open vibes, would be nice too. So, while we wait and see what’s next, check out some of what’s left of LIV, it’s still great golf to check out.
