"DISGUSTED" PGA Tour pro hits out over LIV Golf merger: "They told us nothing!"
DP World Tour pro Joost Luiten tells GolfMagic "money" is the only reason for the shock merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.
PGA Tour and DP World Tour players have revealed their state of shock at both circuits now merging with the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League, with one player telling GolfMagic "money" was the only factor in their sudden change of heart.
After more than 12 months of spats, rants, bans, hefty fines and court battles, incredible news emerged today that all three of golf's biggest global Tours - LIV Golf, PGA Tour and DP World Tour - are now going to join as one.
According to the Financial Times, the framework for the agreement that was reached between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf came after two months of meetings across the US, Europe and the Middle East.
Big question among many big questions today is what, if any, role the DOJ investigations played in this? Could it be possible that the feds sniffed around the PGA Tour, didn’t like what they saw, and this was the path of least resistance? Would explain a total 180 in position. https://t.co/uT8MLgUyl8
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 6, 2023
Players tore up their memberships as a result of the wedge that LIV created in the game, with high-profile names such as Dustin Johnson leaving the PGA Tour and the likes of Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter walking out of the DP World Tour.
Sergio Garcia left both.
That saw them all - at least at the time - ruled out of the Ryder Cup both as a future player or captain.
Henrik Stenson was immediately sacked as Ryder Cup captain following his involvement with LIV Golf.
He would later join Westwood, Poulter and Garcia in leaving the DP World Tour.
| According to the Financial Times, the framework for the agreement that was reached between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf came after two months of meetings across the US, Europe and the Middle East. pic.twitter.com/C8yIA235Zf
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 6, 2023
How the hell is this real?! https://t.co/xIskBKtMV2
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 6, 2023
But after today's blockbuster news, everything is once again up in the air!
DP World Tour CEO Keith Pelley was asked by Sky Sports' Jamie Weir as to what happens with the Ryder Cup futures of Westwood, Garcia, Stenson and Poulter, and this was his response: "They're non-members. They would have to be re-instated, maybe they will request re-instatement but we'll have to see."
The world of golf is currently in a state of shock, but especially the players on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour.
Many of them were not even informed of the radical decision by PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan or Pelley.
One PGA Tour pro told Barstool Sports' Dan Rapaport he found out the news when everyone else did: "Disgusted. They didn't tell us anything."
Six-time DP World Tour winner Joost Luiten told GolfMagic this afternoon:
"It sounds very strange and I wonder what has changed in the last couple of months or so, it must be money!"
— Andy Roberts (@AndyRobertsGolf) June 6, 2023
PGA Tour didn’t communicate this to players at all. They found out same time we did.
“Shocked and confused.”
“Disgusted. They didn’t tell us anything.”
— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 6, 2023
PGA Tour pro and two-time major champion Collin Morikawa echoed something similar: "I love finding out morning news on Twitter."
I love finding out morning news on Twitter
— Collin Morikawa (@collin_morikawa) June 6, 2023
Other PGA Tour players did at least see the funny side of it all.
Joel Dahmen tweeted: "I’ve grown up being a fan of the 4 Aces. Maybe one day I get to play for them on the PGA Tour!"
I’ve grown up being a fan of the 4 Aces. Maybe one day I get to play for them on the PGA Tour!
— Joel Dahmen (@Joel_Dahmen) June 6, 2023
Max Homa then tweeted: "Now that we're all friends, is it too late for us to workshop some of these team names? 'WTF is a Cleek?'"
LIV Golf's Graeme McDowell replied: "If you find out let me know brother."
If you find out let me know brother https://t.co/KdBNbHlowD
— Graeme McDowell (@Graeme_McDowell) June 6, 2023
Two-time US PGA champion Justin Thomas says his phone was off the hook:
Was having quite the nice practice session this morning too pic.twitter.com/qWBKuM2yHO
— Justin Thomas (@JustinThomas34) June 6, 2023
What have you made of the shock news between a LIV Golf, PGA Tour and DP World Tour merger? Share your thoughts on the GolfMagic social media channels.
