LIV Golf's Thomas Pieters: Angry PGA Tour tweet "NOTHING" to do with $10m deal

New LIV Golf signing Thomas Pieters has insisted his decision to join the breakaway tour had nothing to do with his angry tweet over his PGA Tour snub.

Ben Smith's picture
Thu, 23 Feb 2023
LIV Golf's Thomas Pieters: Angry PGA Tour tweet "NOTHING" to do with $10m deal

New LIV Golf signing Thomas Pieters has insisted his angry tweet over not being asked to play the PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods had nothing to do with his decision to join the breakaway tour. 

Speaking to Golf Digest's Evin Priest on the eve of the second LIV Golf campaign, the 31-year-old Belgian said it was Hudson Swafford's injury that prompted a last-minute offer. 

Swafford confirmed earlier in the week that to fix a persistent hip injury he needed to go under the knife, meaning he's likely out for six months. 

Pieters has joined Bubba Watson's RangeGoats GC side. 

He told Priest:

"Hudson got injured, and I had a call saying do you want the spot. You don't wish ill on anyone, and I hope Hudson recovers soon. As a professional you have to take opportunities when they arise. It has been a whirlwind since then, really, sorting everything out and getting everything ready over the weekend."

Asked about the message he posted about not being invited to Riviera, Pieters said he was chatting about the elevated event with his pals. 

He became angry and sent the message. It was just a case of bad timing, he said. 

"Honestly, I know how it must have looked, but it had nothing to do with it.
"I was talking to my friends, and they were saying 'Hey, we can't wait to watch that pairing with Tiger and Rory and JT,' and I just became a bit angry that I wasn't playing as World No. 34. [The tweet] was just bad timing, I guess."

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Pieters is said to have signed a $10m contract with LIV, according to The Telegraph's Jamie Corrigan

His decision means that he might not be able to participate in the Ryder Cup.

Given that the Belgian has had a resurgence in form over the last 18 months, it's not unreasonable to suggest he would have likely commanded a berth in Luke Donald's European side. 

We won't know European LIV players' Ryder Cup fate until we learn the outcome of the DP World Tour v. LIV Golf hearing

Pieters added: 

"Yeah, we [he and Donald] exchanged texts. He's in a difficult decision, isn't he?
"I haven't given up on playing in it again, including this year even. We will have to see the result of the hearing. I could still qualify. I'm in all the majors this year … well, I hope the U.S. Open.
"Maybe I can play so well it’ll make it very difficult not to pick me. I don't know. We will have to see, and like said, I accept whatever comes." 

Pieters previously expressed unhappiness playing on the PGA Tour full time. 

He said the LIV schedule works better for him. 

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