Several big names in the golf world left the PGA Tour in favor of the LIV Golf Invitational Series on Wednesday morning.
Those who stayed around, both at this week’s RBC Canadian Open and others, are not happy about it.
“This is nonsense,” said Justin Thomas. “I mean, I think a lot of us are, I don’t know if irritation or fatigue is the right thing to do. [word]. I mean, it’s just one of those things. “
Bryson De Chambo and Patrick Reed reportedly agreed to join the controversial Saudi-backed golf league at its first stop in the United States in July. Ricky Fowler is also reportedly close to signing with LIV.
These three marked a significant development for LIV Golf, as Dustin Johnson was previously the only golf star who may still be in the prime of his career to give up the PGA Tour. Others such as Phil Mickelson, Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Kevin Na also left the tour.
While DeChambeau and Reed are by no means the most popular boys in the golf world, their presence in the LIV Golf series certainly adds a level of confidence to her.
Rory McIlroy: “It’s a shame”
Those who left for the Greg Norman Golf League, especially Mickelson, were met with much criticism ahead of the first event this week in London.
It’s easy to see why. The new series is a blatant, clear example of Saudi Arabia trying to wash away its crimes and atrocities. The country is reportedly paying these golfers ridiculous amounts of money to play. Both Johnson and Mickelson were reportedly paid more than $ 100 million to join, and the country apparently offered Tiger Woods nearly $ 1 billion – although he refused.
When some were asked to accept money from Saudi Arabia, knowing what the country had done, most players either backed off or shut down. Thaler Guch said “I’m not that smart” when asked directly about it, and Graham McDowell insisted he didn’t have “the ability to lead this conversation.”
Obviously, the money these players receive is a huge draw. Rory McIlroy told the RBC Canadian Open on Wednesday that the money would come with consequences.
The story continues
“Every decision you make in your life that is purely for money is usually not going the right way,” McIlroy said. “Obviously money is the deciding factor in many things in this world, but if it’s pure money, it’s not, it never seems, you know, it never seems to be the way you want it to be.
“I have had this several times in my life and there are other things that are also part of it. But this is a weird time in professional golf and I said it a few weeks ago, we’ll just have to see how it goes this season and if some other guys decide to go in a direction other than the established tours, I guess, and see what, I guess, will see what the consequences are. “
It is unclear what will happen next with the PGA Tour, which has not yet handed out any penalties or answers to several of its members who are leaving. Johnson, Mickelson and others will still be eligible to play in the US Open this month, but the events of the PGA Tour are almost certainly off the table.
With so much going on now, McIlroy said, golf in general is hurt.
“It’s unfortunate that this will ruin the game,” McIlroy said. “I think if there’s one thing we have to do, the professional game is a showcase in golf. If the general public is confused about who is playing where and what tournament this week is … it becomes so confusing.
“I think everything should try to become more cohesive, and I think it was a pretty good trajectory until that happened.”
While Thomas, like McIlroy, said he didn’t think Johnson and the others were bad people, that didn’t mean he wasn’t disappointed with the moves.
“I wish he and the others hadn’t, but that’s their decision,” Thomas said. “I’ve said it all along, as if boys can do whatever they want. If they want to go, they can go, if they want to stay, they can stay.
“I think selfishly and know that the PGA Tour is the best place to play in the world and the solution is theirs and it is what it is, but I just want it to take it or wish it won’t take it from the great storylines and things, which take place on a tour that has existed for a very long time and is one of the best places it has ever been. The bad thing is that these guys won’t be part of it. “
Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy spoke on Wednesday after Bryson DeChambo, Patrick Reed and others joined the LIV Golf series. (Ben Jared / PGA TOUR via Getty Images)
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