Rory McIlroy may be ready to bring the LIV golfer back to the PGA Tour, but another star disagrees.
Justin Thomas, who finished tied for sixth at last week’s Pebble Beach Pro-Am, said he’s fine with LIV competitors eventually coming back, but they shouldn’t come without paying some compensation for their defection. Stated.
“I think there are some players on LIV that will make the tour a better place, but I definitely don’t agree that they should be able to come back so easily,” Thomas said two days ago on Tuesday. The WM Phoenix Open begins at TPC Scottsdale in Arizona.
“I think there are many of us who have made sacrifices and sacrificed very much, whether it’s staying true to our words or our beliefs or just not making that decision.” I fully understand that things are changing and things are getting better, but it’s just going to be the way it is — I’m going to have a hard time with it, a lot of people are going to have a hard time with it, and I’m not sure why I I shouldn’t have to convince you that we have a hard time with it.”
The comments from top stars such as Thomas and Rickie Fowler follow the announcement that Strategic Sports Group (SSG) will invest an initial $1.5 billion in the PGA Tour, with an additional $1.5 billion potentially in the future. This is what was put out. .
SSG includes Steve Cohen (Mets), Tom Warner and John Henry (Red Sox), Mark Attanasio (Brewers), Arthur Blank (Falcons), Wyke Grousbeck (Celtics), and Tom Ricketts (Cubs). ) is made up of a group that includes sports owners. ) others.
McIlroy, who has been one of the strongest anti-LIV voices in the past when he was a member of the PGA Tour Policy Committee, said last week that it would be time to welcome LIV golfers back to the PGA Tour if and when a framework is in place. said. An agreement will be reached between both parties because it is best for the game.
“I don’t think there should be a penalty,” McIlroy said. “Obviously, I changed my mind because I looked at the current state of golf and realized that reducing the PGA Tour and reducing the LIV Tour and other events is not good for both parties.”
“It would be much better to stay together for the game and move forward together. That’s my opinion. So for me, it’s easier for everyone to come together early and start playing and start creating the strongest field possible. I think it would be great for golf if we could do that.”
Last week, Fowler and Jordan Spieth said they disagreed with McIlroy’s position on LIV golfers returning to the tour without penalty.
However, both said they would not be opposed to returning to PGA Tour events in the future if an agreement is reached.
“As far as the decision to go elsewhere and just come back, I don’t think that’s a direct path,” Fauer said. “They made a decision. There has to be a reason for it. Small or big, it’s not up to me. Like I said it’s going to be interesting to see what the next few months, year, two years go. It feels like we’re still in that position.”
Spieth also said it was not necessary for the PGA Tour to reach an agreement with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which owns LIV Golf, after reaching a deal with SSG.
“I don’t think that’s necessary,” Spieth said. “We have a strategic partner and the idea is that the PGA Tour can do nothing and borrow options from other investors to move forward with the way we operate today.”
Mr Thomas said on Tuesday that he was “not necessarily in a firm position one way or the other” as to whether the Tour and PIF could reach an agreement.
“I want the best product and the best player,” Thomas said.
