Since its inception in 2021, LIV Golf has faced criticism from players, media, and fans. 

However, the debate moved beyond general criticism when Par and Paddock responded to a column by Eamon Lynch, co-host of Golf Today on Golf Channel and a columnist for Golfweek/USA Today. 

After Anthony Kim’s return following a 12-year absence, Lynch shared his column on X and wrote, “Anthony Kim, Gary Player are both outliers. Only one of them is a positive.”

The column drew a public response from Par and Paddock, which challenged Eamon Lynch’s characterization of Anthony Kim and LIV Golf. 

The confrontation initiated by Par and Paddock also drew a response from Ian Poulter, who serves as co-captain and player for Majesticks GC in the LIV Golf League. 

Reacting to the post on X, Poulter wrote, “Well said 👊🏻,” expressing support for the criticism directed at Eamon Lynch’s column.

In a post on X, the account argued that Lynch’s column relied on opinion rather than verifiable evidence and accused him of applying different standards when evaluating LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.

It wrote, “Your sweeping claims need receipts, not rhetoric. ‘More than 90%… by invitation.’ ‘Contractually protected.’ ‘Ejected based solely on national origin.’ Those are allegations misrepresented and half-truths, with no context and no written rules cited.”

Par and Paddock  argued that the PGA Tour operates under similar conditions, noting that it is, “The PGA Tour is also in parts a closed shop in practice: sponsor exemptions, medical extensions, major-category protections, reshuffles, and a system that has always mixed merit with status, money, and relationships.”

Par and Paddock also pointed to Kim’s competitive path as a counterexample, noting that he was relegated after the 2025 season, returned through the LIV Golf Promotions event, and later secured a win at Adelaide. 

But what did veteran golf journalist Eamon Lynch really say that led to such a response?

What Eamon Lynch wrote about Anthony Kim and LIV Golf that prompted the public response

Anthony Kim returned to the winner’s circle with a victory at LIV Golf Adelaide on February 15, at The Grange Golf Club. The win was his first professional title since the 2010 Shell Houston Open, ending a gap of nearly 16 years.

Soon after the win, a column by Eamon Lynch examined Anthony Kim’s comeback and his position within LIV Golf.

In his Golfweek column, Lynch described Anthony Kim and Gary Player as outliers, but drew a distinction between their roles in the sport. 

He noted that Kim was relegated after the 2025 season and later regained his place for 2026 through the LIV Golf Promotions event. 

Lynch further stated that LIV Golf operates largely through invitations and contracts rather than open qualification, and that Kim represented “the exception who proves the rule.”

What is your opinion on Anthony Kim's LIV Golf Adelaide win? Read more at Daily Club Golf!

Written by

Aditi Singh

Edited by

Oajaswini Prabhu