LIV Golf has been making headlines this week, even with the PGA Tour hosting its prestigious event, the Waste Management Phoenix Open. During the WM Phoenix Open, Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler shared their thoughts on the possibility of LIV golfers returning to the PGA Tour.
While Justin Thomas expressed that he doesn’t have a strong stance on whether LIV golfers should have a path back to the PGA Tour, he had a lengthy conversation with Patrick McDonald of CBS Sports. Thomas mentioned that he wants the best players and the best product for the Tour. He acknowledged that there are a few players in LIV who could enhance the Tour, but he doesn’t believe they should be allowed to return without any difficulty.
Thomas further explained that many players, including himself, made sacrifices and stayed loyal to their decisions. He understands that things are changing and improving, but he personally would have a hard time accepting the return of LIV golfers. He believes that many other players share this sentiment and that there might be a scenario in the future where some players can come back, but the specifics are uncertain.
Scottie Scheffler also shared his perspective on the potential return of LIV golfers. He mentioned that there are different types of players who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. Some even sued the Tour, which Scheffler found distasteful. He holds no ill will towards those who left, but he believes that if they were to come back, it shouldn’t be a seamless process. He thinks there should be a pathway for their return, but they should contribute to the Tour in some way.
There seems to be a consensus among top PGA Tour players that LIV golfers should have a chance to return, but it should come with certain challenges. It’s unclear what exactly those challenges would be, as none of the players who support their return have proposed specific ideas. Additionally, it was reported this week that bankers and lawyers involved in the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger probe have been threatened by the Saudis with imprisonment if they cooperate with Congress. On a lighter note, LIV Golf introduced a “party hole” to rival the Waste Management Open’s popular hole.
According to the Source brobible.com