Without fully understanding the political/moral decision that this appears to be involving the Saudi's I will stay away from that talk and focus on my perspective as a fan. I don't know enough about Human rights, sportwashing or whatever.
#1 - This is all about the money for the players. Growing the game seems like a bit of a ridiculous statement. It waters down the product and is dividing the worlds best players into two factions.
#2 - I don't blame the players for wanting a secure paycheque. Case in point is Brooks. The guy has been battling injuries. The guaranteed money is too much to pass up, considering his earning potential is shrinking on the PGA tour.
#3 - LIV, regardless of who signs, does NOT interest me in the slightest. I checked out a bit of the first event on Youtube and the broadcast lacked that extra spark you get from watching the PGA tour.
#4 - Sure, the Saudi's have an endless pocket of money, but I do not see this tour surviving unless they make changes to the format. Even if they sign Tiger, Rory, JT, Speith and the rest of Golf's elite, the format will still suck. 54 holes, no cut line, Shotgun start (lol), those ridiculous teams, are all just stupid.
***I know the PGA just announced 8 tournaments with no cut line, but the cut line is essentially the Fedex cup standings...something totally different than the exhibition LIV is putting on*****
#5 - Majors, are going to be a problem for LIV members. If they don't get voted into OWGR system, than many of their players will not earn spots into future Majors. It will perpetuate the meaninglessness of the LIV golf events. They can try to fabricate some history or huge money events, or whatever they want, but golf is a traditionalist sport, and without the tie in to the Majors, LIV will mean much less. Add to that, I really think playing in the format that LIV promotes and the few tournaments a year, will hurt the rhythm of players like DJ and Brooks that have exemptions for the Majors. They will then struggle at Majors, perpetuating the narrative of the pro PGA crowd that the LIV has inferior golfers.
#6 - in order to truly shake any monkey off its back, LIV needs a legitimate superstar to win a Major and get players talking. Maybe that young Thai kid, or Piot can sneak in there and win a Major, become the next big thing. That would be what could get LIV over the top. Phil should be playing the senior circuit, DJ is on the downswing, Bryson is a freakshow long drive hitter, Brooks doesn't particularly care for the sport, Reed is a douchebag, Sergio is too pouty, Poulter wears funny pants, McDowell is a cool guy at the end of his career, Louis, Charl, whatever....not enough to get me fired up.
#7 - I give it two years...in two years, some of the more competitive players will be on the outside looking in at Majors. They will be losing sponsorship money. There will be rumblings of a return to the PGA. Two full years and this thing folds and Greg Norman is fired into the sun.
Those are my 7 cents on the LIV.