LIV Golf pro emphatically rules out PGA Tour return: "I'm not fussed about it"

Thomas Pieters has revealed he has no intention to trying to play on the PGA Tour again should LIV Golf collapse. 

The future of the breakaway league has been plunged into doubt after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced it will withdraw it's multi-billion dollar backing at the end of the season. 

LIV Golf is now searching to find replacement investment under a new board after PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan stepped down as chairman. 

There have been reports that several LIV Golf players have already reached out to the established tours to test the waters about potential returns. 

But Belgium's Pieters has revealed that he won't attempt to play on the North American circuit again if LIV Golf shutters, explaining in an interview with Dan Rapaport of Skratch that he "never liked that life".  

It's more likely, Pieters said, that he will ply his trade on the DP World Tour or he may retire from the sport altogether. 

"I'm definitely never going back to the PGA Tour," Pieters said. "I've never liked that life. And that's not me having a go at the PGA Tour, it's not for me. 

"I tried it and I just wasn't happy there. If (LIV) goes away, I'll probably try and play some on the European Tour or I don't know. I really don't know."

Reports of LIV's financial troubles first emerged before their event in Mexico last month. 

There was even speculation that the $25m tournament wouldn't go ahead after several high-ranking LIV Golf officials attended an emergency meeting in New York. 

The Athletic even reported that some players and staff hadn't been paid. 

Pieters described the atmosphere at Club de Golf Chapultepec as "grim".

"I was ready to retire on Monday if they really pull the plug that quick, and that was okay with me," he said. 

"The atmosphere was really grim. I had enough of it after 3-4 hours, everybody talking about it."

Pieters added: "I'm not fussed about it [the speculation] at this point because I feel like I still have a duty to focus on these next six, seven tournaments on LIV and then we'll see. 

"They're obviously trying to get it together next year. We'll see."

LIV Golf will reportedly hold a players only meeting in Virginia on 5 May. 

Scott O'Neil, LIV's chief executive, will then hold a news conference where he is expected to give an update on the league's future. 

"We are just guessing right now," Pieters said. 

"But if we're playing for five million next year or I could play on the DP World Tour for three million but be close to home that's something I'd have to look at it when it comes. 

"Possibly there's guys going. But I think that's up to Scott and his team to get this thing together and we'll just have to find out.

"I think what ever comes out officially from LIV is what we're getting half a day before it goes out.

"Scott is telling us that he's going to a broader market and trying to fund this for next year. I guess it's a massive challenge. 

"But we just have to wait and see."

Phil Mickelson expected to miss another LIV Golf event

Elsewhere, six-time major champion Phil Mickelson is reportedly set to miss yet another LIV Golf tournament. 

Mickelson has been absent for the majority of the 2026 season owing to an undisclosed, private family health matter. 

He returned to the fairways last month in South Africa but decided not to participate in the 2026 Masters. 

Mickelson's status for next week's PGA Championship is also unclear. 

Dustin Johnson receives invite to PGA Championship

Two-time major champion Dustin Johnson has reportedly received an invitation to participate in next week's PGA Championship at Aronimink Golf Club.

Johnson, currently ranked a lowly 486th in the Official World Golf Ranking, has not missed a major championship for the last 18 years. 

Without exemptions and outside the automatic qualification criteria, Johnson’s place in the field had been uncertain until the PGA of America stepped in with a special invite.

The news was provided by Johnson's 4Aces team on Facebook.