MIAMI – On Thursday afternoon at a press conference, LIV Golf announced a new single-event competition called The “Duels Miami“. Six LIV team captains will be paired with six of YouTube’s most popular content creators in a nine-hole, two-man Scramble format that will be aired on Grant Horvat’s YouTube channel starting Saturday, April 5 at 8 pm Eastern time.
The press conference in the Trump National Doral Media Center was moderated by versatile performer, producer, and “In the Zone” podcaster Jason Zone Fisher. He introduced himself to the media as “the host and emcee, the hype man for LIV Golf.” He also travels with LIV Golf and conducts the trophy ceremony.
He said The Duels Miami consists of “the best golf professionals with the best YouTube creators.” Fisher made the point that all six content creators are “excellent on camera but are serious golfers, too.”
Fisher said, “LIV Golf is always innovating and evolving, and we are bringing the fun with a very first-ever experience: The Duels is a fan-first event for the next-generation golf fan. LIV is always trying to grow the game of golf, and these six YouTube creators are doing the same thing, growing the game, bringing in new fans to the game of golf. Worlds are colliding here where the pros and creators are playing together for the first time ever.”
He then introduced his four-man panel. “On stage we have two-time Masters champion, a fan favorite, and the captain of RangeGoats GC, Bubba Watson. To my left here we’ve got a YouTuber with millions of followers. In fact, he’s the most followed golf creator in the world. He’s partnering with LIV Golf this season playing at all of our courses, the one and only Rick Shiels.
“We’ve got the 2022 Open Champion, the 2022 PLAYERS champion. He’s won three times on LIV thus far, the captain of Ripper GC, Cam Smith. Last but not least, we have a popular golf creator and member of ‘Bob Does Sports’ with a smooth swing, a sharp humor, and a legendary flow. That’s a lot of mullet on that end of the stage weighing us down. It is Fat Perez.”
Fisher then named the six teams: Rick Shiels and Joaquin Niemann, Torque GC; Luke Kwon and Bubba Watson; Fat Perez and Cam Smith; George Bryan and Sergio Garcia, Fireballs GC; Grant Horvat and Phil Mickelson, HyFlyers GC; and Wesley Bryan and Dustin Johnson, 4Aces GC.
Fisher opened the discussion by suggesting that The Duels is a unique competition. Rick Shiels agreed and said, “I think what makes it unique is the combination between creators and professionals. This has never been done before. Creators, we read all about entertainment, making sure it’s fun and engaging. Now, when you throw in the mix of incredible talent, I think the chemistry is going to be electric.”
Bubba joined in by saying, “I’m looking for the fun atmosphere. When you combine the two, athletes and creators, and combine that with some good golf, some bad golf and some hilarious comments, I mean, it’s got to be pretty good for TV or YouTube.”
Cam Smith added to Bubba’s idea. He said, “Yeah, I think we have a similar perspective on the game of golf and growing the game of golf. For me, it’s about getting clubs in kids’ hands, and I’m sure it’s the same for you guys, making the game of golf as best as it can be. It’s just cool to see another side of that. Pairing up today, LIV and YouTube, I think we’ll join forces in years to come and make this as big as we can.”
Bubba had a rejoinder. “This is the most that golf has ever been talked about from the creator side and the LIV side, so golf is growing at a good pace. It’s getting younger, and we’re trying to be the best out there to get that crowd coming in. I know my kids are into the golf scene now because they’ve seen all these YouTube videos.”
The six teams met shortly thereafter on the 10th tee to begin their epic nine-hole Scramble that would finish on the Blue Monster’s iconic 18th hole. Fireworks ushered in the competition, a large contingent lined the tee and the fairway, and all 12 players prepared for their best YouTube shots and zingers. The fun was just beginning.
I won’t tell you who won! You’ll have to watch Grant Horvat’s YouTube channel at 8:00 pm Eastern time on Saturday.
I can tell you that you will not be disappointed with the action, the dialogue, or the winning team. ENJOY!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgUueMmSpcl-aCTt5CuCKQw/videos
PHOTOS: Vicky MacKay
