He's taken a hit in some circles but not all circles. I've watched some youtube videos on LIV, Phil and Greg that have mostly been critical of all 3. But then I'll check out the comments section and have been somewhat surprised at the large number of people defending Phil and attacking the PGA. They use a lot of whataboutisms and regurgitate things Phil and Greg are claiming as if they're true. The other thing I find interesting is they'll say is what is wrong with playing in Saudi Arabia when all the other golfers like Rory will play in the UAE - as if there is no difference between between those 2 governments. Essentially, it's the MAGA crowd golf fans that are still solidly in his corner. I do get the point that we are being selectively outraged at Phil, whereas we're not outraged at Nicklaus for building courses there or at golfers like Harold Varner and Bubba Watson for taking appearance fees for playing there. Hell, I celebrated when Varner hit that 92' putt there a couple months back. Is the difference that taking an appearance fee is like having a couple of beers with the Saudis whereas taking $42mil and drawing up the new by-laws for LIV is climbing in bed with them?
Aside from the selective moral outrage aspect of it, I think the real issue that all the PGA golfers who have opined on the issue and have been critical of Phil is that he is trying to take money out of their pockets by creating a rival league that, if successful, would drive down PGA and DP purses. As 1 of the guys from Live From pointed out last night, while Tiger has had his off-course issues, he's still popular with the other guys on the tour because he's been contrite, and they realize he's the reason their paychecks have been the size that they are. Whereas Phil's apology was solely to LIV, and now he wants to drive down the paychecks for tour members.
As for the viability of the LIV tour, to me it looks like you could call it the Has Been tour with guys like Phil, Garrigus (who?), Westwood, Poulter and Scott being the type of guys who are going to bolt for it. Maybe Webb too given his comments. And it sounds like all of the young guns and guys in their prime are sticking with the PGA and DP. I'm hopeful that means it won't be successful and that its ratings will not affect the PGA and DP. I wonder who will televise the LIV, probably Fox Sports, and how much TGC will end up covering it v. boycotting it. I plan on not watching any of the LIV, and I'm hoping a general lack of enthusiasm for it causes it to be a cash drain for the Saudis that they give up on after a couple of years or so.