A day after he achieved a score of 60 and just moments after being crowned the victor of the shortened AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, Wyndham Clark was questioned about the longstanding rumors linking him to LIV Golf. Not only did the reigning U.S. Open champion confirm the rumors, he proceeded to elaborate that he is not opposed to the idea of potentially joining the rival circuit of the PGA Tour, at least for now.
Clark asserted that monetary considerations did not factor into his decision to decline LIV at this time, which was probably made easier by the fact that he earned over $3.5 million for his triumph at Pebble Beach. “Yes, there is definitely some truth to it. I did meet with LIV and engaged in those discussions,” Clark explained. “Ultimately, I decided against joining LIV because I believe I still have much to accomplish on the PGA Tour. I aspire to break records and achieve a high world ranking. My dream is to become one of the top players in the world, if not the very best. Since I was a child, I have always imagined winning PGA Tour events. So, in the end, I prioritized my legacy over LIV, and that’s what it came down to.”
“I am uncertain about what the future holds for my career and the PGA Tour’s relationship with LIV,” he remarked. “However, for this season, I am fully committed to the PGA Tour and I aim to climb as high as possible in the world rankings.”
While his remarks may upset some devoted PGA Tour supporters, it is refreshing to hear Clark honestly express his uncertainty about the future of golf. This is precisely why he is keeping his options open for a potential move to LIV in the future.
(Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
Clark is not the first prominent player to adopt this non-committal stance towards the Tour while still participating in its events. Xander Schauffele recently made similar comments about why he refuses to firmly align himself with the PGA Tour.
“I have endeavored to be as truthful as possible and have evaded the question because I am not inclined to pledge my allegiance to the tour,” Schauffele explained. “I will not declare, ‘I will play here forever’ or ‘I will go there.’ I will simply state that I am currently here, which is a fact.”
The reality in the professional golf world is one that is constantly evolving. Negotiations between the PGA Tour and Saudi PIF are still ongoing, while Rory McIlroy is advocating for a ‘Champions League’ for golf, and LIV is making strides of its own. The sport could continue to undergo significant changes.
Committing one’s loyalty to the Tour under the assumption that it will remain the same a year from now does not appear to be the wisest decision for a player like Clark, or any player who is not among the elite ranks of the Tour.
Mark covers all major sports while closely monitoring the developments in the world of golf. He holds a degree in journalism and online media from the University of Tennessee, although you can form your own opinion about that. When he is not working, there is a high probability that he can be found on the golf course.