European LIV Golf pro: I'll be watching the Ryder Cup...without the commentary

England's Paul Casey says it was 'never anyone's intent' for the Ryder Cup to be damaged after Europe's old guard joined LIV Golf.

Ben Smith

24 Aug 2023

European LIV Golf pro: I'll be watching the Ryder Cup...without the commentary — European LIV Golf pro: I'll be watching the Ryder Cup...without the…

LIV Golf player Paul Casey says he'll be watching the forthcoming Ryder Cup but he'll have the sound off.

Casey has given a wide-ranging interview to Golf Digest in which he said it was 'never anyone's intent' for the Ryder Cup to be damaged after a host of European legends bolted for the rival league last June.

At 46 years old, Casey is very much in the 'old guard' category alongside Lee Westwood, Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia, Graeme McDowell and Henrik Stenson.

Perhaps taking to the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club as a player next month would have been one step too far.

Maybe one day all will be forgiven and they can be welcomed back into the fold as captains and vice-captains.

Rory McIlroy posited before the Tour Championship that Europe's side is unaffected by LIV Golf whereas Zach Johnson has a headache after Brooks Koepka was bumped out of the automatics.

Casey told Golf Digest:

"The Ryder Cup is so valuable in terms of what it gives to golf in Europe, not just monetarily. We don't want that to be damaged any more than it has been already. I don't watch a lot of golf outside of the majors.

"But I will certainly watch the Ryder Cup. And I might just have a piece of Euro team clothing on under my top. I won't have the commentary on though."

Casey claimed even DP World Tour chief executive Keith Pelley admitted in private the Ryder Cup situation needs to be resolved.

McIlroy's comments came after PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan provided an update on the negotiations with LIV's Saudi backers, the PIF.

Monahan expressed confidence the 'framework agreement' will be agreed before the 31 December deadline, although it has to be said it will hinge on players' involvement.

Will Brooks Koepka be one of Zach Johnson's six picks in the US Ryder Cup team?
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) August 20, 2023

Casey said there is 'a big mess' to sort out and he wouldn't offer his opinion because there are already 'too many'.

The Englishman, who claimed he was 'in a spiral' before he joined LIV for a reported $20-30m, did say that 'more consideration needs to be given to the fans'.

He said:

"That doesn't get talked about enough. And certainly not enough by those making the big decisions. All of this can't be just about business.

"That frustrates me and probably many others. It doesn't matter whether I am part of the DP World Tour or the PGA Tour or LIV, we are all part of the issue and so the solution.

"But we are not all swimming in the same direction right now. That's my biggest concern. This needs to be about the consumers."

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