For the last few years, shorts during competition has been a heavily debated topic on the PGA Tour. With high temperatures during summer events, especially during the Florida swing, media and fans alike have wondered whether it’s time to allow shorts on Tour during competition — shorts have been allowed during practice rounds since February 2019.
After the first round of LIV Golf Boston at The International in Bolton, Massachusetts, Greg Norman, the CEO of the Saudi-backed league, announced via social media that LIV members will be allowed to wear shorts during competition, starting with the second round in New England.
LIV players had previously been allowed shorts during practice rounds and pro-ams.
SHORTS OFFICIALLY ALLOWED 😎#LIVGolf @SharkGregNorman pic.twitter.com/NMHv62lJFd
— LIV Golf (@LIVGolfInv) September 2, 2022
Count Phil Mickelson among those applauding the move.
“I think this is a long time coming in the game of golf. I think it just takes a disruptor like LIV to get things done,” he said after Saturday’s second round.
“I’ve been wanting to wear shorts playing for a long while,” said Sergio Garcia. “You know, it’s nice. I think it’s just another step forward towards getting more connected with the fans, making the game younger, fresher. I’m glad that we all decided to take this step forward, and it’s fun.”
As for the on-course action Saturday, Matthew Wolff and Talor Gooch hold the first-round lead at 7 under, followed closely by newcomer Cameron Smith, who fired a 6-under 64 in his LIV debut.
Saudi Arabia has been accused of wide-ranging human rights abuses, including politically motivated killings, torture, forced disappearances and inhumane treatment of prisoners. And members of the royal family and Saudi government were accused of involvement in the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist and Washington Post columnist.
[mm-video type=playlist id=01es6rjnsp3c84zkm6 player_id=01evcfxp4q8949fs1e image=https://golfweek.usatoday.com/wp-content/plugins/mm-video/images/playlist-icon.png]