Scottie Scheffler blames split in the sport for defectors as PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan expresses hope that agreement could be reached with Saudi backers of rebel LIV Golf Series He pointed out that it was our fault.
Scheffler and several others descended on Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., this week for The Players Championship. The field is devoid of top golfers as Jon Rahm, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau have all decided to leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf. But the defending TPC champion wasn’t here because of the fan frenzy, as the tournament doesn’t exactly feature the best players in the world.
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Scottie Scheffler holds the championship trophy after winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational Golf Tournament on Sunday, March 10, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (AP Photo/John Rau)
“If the fans are upset, look at the players who left,” he told reporters Tuesday via ESPN. “We toured, we were all together, but the people who left are no longer here. At the end of the day, that’s where the division comes from.
“As far as our tour goes, like I said, we’re doing our best to make the best work for our fans, and that’s really where we’re at.”
Scheffler added that he did not mean to disrespect other companies by taking the money provided by LIV. But he’s still trying to build the best product possible with the players he’s on the track with.
Anthony Kim chose LIV Golf instead of the PGA Tour for his long-awaited return, finishing last in his first tournament.
LIV Golf Invitational held at Las Vegas Country Club on February 10, 2024 – Billboards throughout Las Vegas. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
Monaghan expressed confidence that an agreement with the Saudi Public Investment Fund has been reached and that he will be the one to take the sport forward.
He added that negotiations are “accelerating” but details must remain private.
“While there are still some important issues to resolve, there is a shared vision to quiet the noise and unlock golf’s global potential,” he said.
Still, the fourth round of The Players Championship is expected to be played with several key players on the list. Justin Thomas, Will Zalatoris, Shane Lowry, Tony Finau, Windham Clark, Rickie Fowler, Harris English, Hideki Matsuyama, Matt Fitzpatrick, Keegan Bradley, Patrick Cantlay, Jordan Spieth, Tommy Fleetwood, Xander Schauffele, and Rory McIlroy are just some of the big names. Name in field.
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PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan stands on the 18th green after the Tour Championship in Atlanta on August 27, 2023. (AP Photo/John Bazemore, File)
The first round begins Thursday at 7:40 a.m. ET.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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