Johnny Phillips: Can a couple of golfers get Leeds out of a hole?
The 18th hole at Royal Liverpool claimed many victims on the first day of The Open Championship in Hoylake.
Jordan Spieth will have been irritated with the bogey six that that marred a great opening round, two under par score. But his great mate Justin Thomas was in altogether different trouble. A quadruple bogey nine left him carding an 11 over par opening round, virtually condemning him to the weekend cut.
If Thomas has time on his hands today and tomorrow, then maybe he could make the trip across country to West Yorkshire and pay a visit to Elland Road. Along with Spieth, he is part of a consortium that has completed the takeover of Leeds United.
The deal brings an end to the colourful period of ownership under Andrea Radrizzani who acquired the club in 2017 and oversaw promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa, before much of the good work was undone with some haphazard managerial appointments in the last two seasons, ultimately leading to relegation in May.
49ers Enterprises is the investment arm of NFL team San Francisco 49ers. It is a fascinating consortium model, comprising of around 10 major investors and a whole host of minority investors which includes many elite sportsmen.
Alongside Spieth and Thomas, others with a stake in 49ers Enterprises include former Olympic swimming legend Michael Phelps, who holds a record 28 Olympic medals. NBA basketball stars Larry Nance Jr, Russell Westbrook and TJ McConnell also have a stake in 49ers Enterprises.
NHL ice hockey players Erik Johnson and Gabriel Landeskog are involved too, along with Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Miles Jack, representing American football.
Some may be silent investors but Spieth has admitted that he is more than just financially motivated in the takeover.
