The Firepit Collective journalist, author, and regular source of controversy, Alan Shipnuck, has this week released his latest book, Liv and Let Die: The Inside Story of the War between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which contains numerous anecdotes, first-hand accounts and anonymous contributions documenting the inception, rise and controversial nature of the Saudi Public Investment Fund backed Golf circuit.
Shipnuck’s previous publishing, PHIL: The Rip-Roaring (and Unauthorized!) Biography of Golf’s Most Colorful Superstar famously almost single-handedly brought down the upstart league before it had even really gotten off the ground with Mickelson’s ill-judged – and in Phil’s claims, off the record – remarks about the Saudi regime.
In a 3,000-word excerpt posted on The Firepit Collective website, Shipnuck makes numerous claims, including that Brooks Koepka, after playing in the J.P. McManus Pro-Am at Adare Manor last year, reportedly said “You think I give a f**k what they [other professional golfers] think? You think I care what people say about me? I just had three surgeries, and I’m supposed to turn down $130 million? I grew up with nothing. After signing that contract, the first person I called was my mom. We both cried.”
Koepka’s mother has since refuted that any such ‘weepy’ phone call took place, saying that the only time she and her son had cried at the same time was post-labour on the day of Brooks’ birth, but nonetheless, the rest of Koepka’s words and likely sentiment would come as a surprise to few should the reporting be accurate.
But the accuracy in general has been called into question by Thomas, following CBS writer Kyle Porter posting one such anonymous contribution from Liv and Let Die on ‘X’ (formerly Twitter) in which an unnamed LIV Golf player reportedly airs his view on Rory McIlroy’s strong defence of the PGA Tour and suggests that Rory’s motives aren’t quite as noble as many have made out.
Thomas, however, in replying to Porter’s ‘Tweet’ appears to be questioning the validity and accuracy of Shipnuck’s sources, and suggests that many of the PGA Tour players have had their fill of the journalist and goes as far as to suggest that the reporting is financially motivated.
I’d like to speak on behalf of a lot of Tour players and say we’re sick of @AlanShipnuck doing what he does. Bring positivity and good stories to help grow the game of golf, not try and make money bashing guys, earning zero trust, with a lot of incorrect information. Ridiculous
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) October 5, 2023
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