[Photo: Orlando Ramirez]
Multiple representatives for LIV Golf members have reached out to the PGA Tour about a possible return amid LIV’s uncertain future, as Golf Digest reported in the past week. How, exactly, that transition comes to pass is a tricky proposition, and as several tour players articulated at the PGA Tour’s Cadillac Championship, one they don’t necessarily have the answers for.
“I’m not sure if it should be the same for everyone. I know olive branches were given out a couple months ago. Brooks took ’em up on it. So I’m not sure what would now change,” Jordan Spieth said. “And I don’t even know – that doesn’t necessarily mean that LIV’s not going to still move on, too. There’s just too many unknowns for me to have a good gauge on what would happen there. But if there’s a system for Brooks and a system for Patrick Reed, does that stay the same for guys in the same category as those two coming back, or does it change now? Does it change for guys who sued and dropped their membership? There’s just a lot of different things that happened over the past four years. I’m kind of glad I’m not in that room, and I trust the guys that are in that room to make the right decision.”
Added former Open champion Brian Harman: “There’s been guys that are going to come back. I can’t speak individually to each of them. Seems like they’re treating them all on a case-by-case basis. I would think that the fans want everyone to be playing together, and time heals all wounds. There’s still some sentiment out here, especially with all the lawsuit stuff – that stuff’s going to be tough to get past. We play with all those guys in the majors, so, yeah, I think there should be a path back.”
OPINION: LIV Golf is dying. It’s damage is permanent
As Golf Digest noted, there will probably not be a general pathway for those leaving the Saudi-backed circuit. Instead, returns will be broken down into categories. As Spieth and Harman alluded, hard feelings remain towards the 11 golfers who sued the PGA Tour – most notably Bryson DeChambeau, Ian Poulter, Talor Gooch and Phil Mickelson – and they will probably face tough discipline. Moreover, the major exemption Koepka received, which had also been offered to DeChambeau, Jon Rahm and Cam Smith, is no more. The Athletic reported last month that DeChambeau’s manager reached out to the tour to see DeChambeau’s options, as the two-time US Open winner is about to become a free agent.
Complicating the decision further: Koepka was held in relatively good standing compared to other defectors.
“I think having Brooks back has been great,” Cameron Young said. “But honestly it’s not for me to decide. I don’t know what any of those guys are thinking about doing. I don’t know what’s going to happen with LIV.”
The decision will ultimately reside with PGA Tour chief executive Brian Rolapp, though he’s expected to take input from the policy board. Incoming Player Advisory Council chairman Lucas Glover seemed open to welcoming players back.
“I will never begrudge anybody for making a decision for the betterment of their career, their life, whatever that may be,” Glover said. “But do I think they should abide by the pathways back and pay the same penalties that the previous people have paid? Absolutely.”
After postponing a New Orleans tournament just days ago, LIV Golf is expected to host an event outside Washington DC this week. In an announcement stating that PIF has pulled its funding and chairman/LIV boss Yasir Al-Rumayyan has stepped down, LIV Golf stated it is seeking new investment for the future. LIV Golf chief executive Scott O’Neil said the league is only funded through the rest of the season during a LIV telecast; LIV proceeded to take the interview down from social media, before putting a new video up with the remarks erased.
