James Piot
As many Michigan golfers know, Canton’s James Piot signed on to the LIV golf tour nearly two years ago after a highly successful amateur golf career, highlighted by winning the 2021 U.S. Amateur at Oakmont CC. He was the first Michigander to capture the prestigious amateur title, allowing him to play in the ’22 Masters. Reportedly, he received several million dollars from LIV, joining a host of top players leaving the PGA Tour for the circuit financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Unlike most of those stars, Piot had no status on the PGA Tour, and his options there were limited.
In the last two years, Piot, a former Michigan State University standout and dominant Golf Association of Michigan (GAM) competitor, earned over $3.6 million on LIV. After a promising first year, Piot’s performance fell off this past season, finishing 47th in earnings. As a result, he was “relegated” or dropped from the LIV Tour but with a chance to regain his status in ’24. Ever polite and affable with a good sense of humor, Piot is an easy player to like. In fact, I’ve not only covered him as a golf writer but have officiated some of his GAM matches. Throughout, he conducted himself as a gentleman with no airs, pretensions, or entitlements.
I recently caught up with Piot by phone at his winter home in Jupiter, Florida where he’ll stay until the start of the LIV Promotions tournament (its version of Q School) in Abu Dhabi on December 8-10. —Terry Moore
TM: I see that you had a good tournament last time (Nov. 16-19) at the Indonesian Masters.
Piot: Yes, I finished 24th after putting together rounds of 71, 68, 71, and 65. It’s always a good feeling to go six-under on Sunday. I haven’t had a lot of low rounds like that recently so it was a nice way to finish.
TM: Talk about your path back to the LIV Tour. What’s the format for the LIV Promotions tournament in Abu Dhabi?
Piot: It’s a little complicated. It’s a 54-hole event but after each day your score is cleared and you begin anew. For the first round, there’ll be 80-100 guys competing for 20 spots. But as someone just coming off LIV, I’m guaranteed to play the second round. So, I’ll play 18 on day two for 20 spots. If I do well, I’ll play 36 holes against 19 other players for three spots to regain my LIV card for 2024.
TM: Over the last two years, I’ve heard few if any negative comments about your decision to sign with LIV. Most people, especially those from Michigan, understand the tremendous incentives and opportunities that were placed in front of you. That reaction must make you pleased.
Piot. Very much so. Nearly everyone I know supported my decision and knew it was something I couldn’t pass up. Besides the financial rewards, I was able to play with some world-class players like Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson. Getting to know someone like Phil, who captained our LIV team (HyFlyers), has been particularly rewarding.
TM: Please talk more about Phil and your relationship.
Piot: He’s been a mentor. I’ve been fortunate to be at his house in California on several occasions. One time I was out there for five days and we worked on my short game. I came to the house and he showed me his personal short game area. We spent hours there and he shared so much, not only about certain shots but also how he thought about them. I thought I was pretty good with flop shots, but Phil’s skill with them is amazing. Compared to him, my flops are a work in progress (laughing.)
TM: Mickelson is famous for his hinge-and-hold chipping methodology. Was that technique something you used?
Piot: Actually, I was pretty far away from that. I was pretty neutral in terms of how my clubface came into the ball. But what I took away from our time together was how to hit the bump-and-run shots. Phil’s mastery of lower shots was an eye-opener. A lot of it has to do with eye and hand coordination. He also shared how important it is on tight lies to hit the back of the ball cleanly.
TM: In your opinion, are there any misunderstood aspects of LIV? It certainly has been controversial, especially on social media.
Piot: I’m not into social media so I don’t get caught up with that. I look at all the positives about LIV and how they have made me a better player. I’m playing golf as a career so I stay focused on that; I don’t get into the politics and business stuff.
TM: Would you share some more comments about your fellow LIV players?
Piot: There’s a lot of camaraderie. All the players hang out together. Besides Phil, Harold Varner (III) is a close friend and mentor. I’ve been to his home in Charlotte (NC) and he’s down here quite a bit in Jupiter. In fact, Harold and I co-own a house in Jupiter. He’s a great guy.
TM: Do you look at and study your LIV stats?
Piot: I do but not constantly and not after a round because a player knows where he did well and where he came up short. My caddie and coach Dan Ellis is a numbers guy and he keeps better track of that stuff. There are definitely areas I need to work on. But this past season, I was pleased with my birdie average. Out of 47 players, I was ranked 26th with a birdie average of 3.9. (Dustin Johnson led the LIV with 5.0) That shows me I can compete out there and need to make fewer mistakes. I know I’m capable.
TM: I know LIV doesn’t have the detailed data like with the PGA Tour’s Shotlink program. Do you use something else?
Piot: We use an app called Circles and it’s very helpful. It not only tracks GIR (Greens in Regulation) but also proximity to the hole. Dan usually inputs the data after every round.
TM: Besides Dan Ellis, who makes up Team Piot?
Piot: It’s pretty similar to what I had at Michigan State. I still rely on teacher Brian Cairns (Fox Hills), MSU coach Casey Lubahn, and Graham Polakoff from Omnikinetics (Birmingham, MI.) When I’m on the road, I also consult with fitness trainer Kolby Wayne who works with a number of Tour players, including Tiger Woods.
TM: Finally, do you have any insight on a resolution to the ongoing and lengthy negotiations between LIV and the PGA Tour?
Piot: I really don’t. Obviously, I’m hopeful but it’s out of my hands. I’ll just keep my head down and head to Abu Dhabi with positive thoughts.
image courtesy of LIV
