Rick Shiels, the YouTube golf sensation, faced a whirlwind of criticism after his groundbreaking move to sign with LIV Golf. The influencer deal sent shockwaves through the golfing world, with Shiels losing a staggering 20,000 subscribers in the aftermath.
The 2025 season saw LIV Golf taking a different approach by securing Shiels as their marquee signing, deviating from the anticipated big-name PGA Tour player signings. This strategic shift raised eyebrows and speculation about the league’s future prospects.
Despite the backlash, Shiels stood by his decision, expressing surprise at the extent of the criticism he faced. In an interview with Golf Monthly, he revealed his preparations for the negativity, acknowledging the expected kickback but also highlighting his open-mindedness towards LIV’s potential for growth and improvement.
Shiels’ subscriber count took a hit post the LIV announcement but has since shown signs of recovery, currently standing at 2.93 million subscribers, the same as before the deal. His content featuring LIV players garnered mixed reactions from his audience, indicating a divided preference for his pre-LIV style videos.
As Shiels navigates the aftermath of his LIV Golf signing, the golf community awaits to see how this influencer partnership will shape the future landscape of the sport.