Revealed: PGA Tour veteran makes bold claim about LIV Golf star's desires

PGA Tour veteran Steve Stricker has revealed that he knows some LIV golfers are eager to make a return to PGA Tour action.

Johnny Percival

12 Mar 2024

According to Steve Stricker, individuals involved in the LIV Golf setup are seeking a comeback to the PGA Tour.

Since its inception in 2022, LIV Golf has managed to pry away some of the PGA Tour's biggest stars to compete in its league.

The likes of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and, most recently, Jon Rahm all jumped ship for big paydays.

Despite their departures, a proposed reconciliation does appear to be in the pipeline as part of the looming merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund.

Negotiations regarding the merger have been rumbling on for over a year now since PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan shook the golf world when he announced the deal.

Despite a December 2023 deadline having been set for the deal to be completed, negotiations have continued into 2024, with April said to be the new completion date.

Related: Report: PGA Tour and Saudi PIF merger deadline to extend until The Masters

Part of the deal between the PIF and PGA Tour is expected to open pathways for LIV golfers to return to the premier North American circuit, effectively reuniting the best players in the world under one banner.

With the potential reconciliation still in the air, 12-time PGA Tour winner Stricker has claimed he knows a few players who are keen for a return to PGA Tour action.

Speaking to the media at last week's Cologuard Classic, he said:

"I know the guys, some of them on the LIV tour want to come back and play out on the regular Tour.

"I know that for a fact, and so it's kind of a wait-and-see game, especially for us out here."

Despite Stricker's optimism, several high-profile players on the breakaway circuit have previously expressed their opinions on the matter, claiming they have no desire to return.

Following the announcement of the framework deal for a merger between the PIF and PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson tweeted:

"Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to clout media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV."

Echoing the sentiment, 4Aces captain Dustin Johnson made his feelings clear at LIV Valderrama last year.

The two-time major champion said:

"I'm happy exactly where I am, and I'm definitely not looking to play more golf than I'm playing now, that's for sure."

If a deal were to be struck between the PIF and PGA Tour, it would appear likely that pathways between the two Tours would be opened up.

A reunification would undoubtedly suit golf fans worldwide. However, some of the PGA Tour's biggest hitters have already claimed there would need to be some sort of punishment for those who defected.

Speaking to the media at the WM Phoenix Open, Justin Thomas made his thoughts clear on the issue.

He said:

"I would say that there's a handful of players on LIV that would make the tour a better place, but I'm definitely not in the agreement that they should just be able to come back that easily.

"I think there's a lot of us that made sacrifices and were very -- whether it's true to our word or what we believe in or just didn't make that decision, and I totally understand that things are changing and things are getting better, but it just would -- I would have a hard time with it, and I think a lot of guys would have a hard time with it, and I'm sure we don't need to convince you why we would have a hard time with it."

His reluctance to give LIV players an easy route back to the PGA Tour is shared by both Scottie Scheffler and Rickie Fowler.

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