Justin Thomas doubles down on Rickie Fowler claim

Justin Thomas has echoed the sentiment held by Rickie Fowler regarding a potential return to the PGA Tour for LIV golfers.

Johnny Percival

07 Feb 2024

Justin Thomas doesn't believe golfers who ditched the PGA Tour in favour of LIV should be allowed an easy return to the PGA Tour.

Speaking to the media ahead of the WM Phoenix Open, Thomas clarified his opinion on a potential merger between the two leagues, echoing Rickie Fowler's belief that players shouldn't be granted an easy return.

His comments come only weeks after Rory McIlroy completed a full U-turn on the issue after he claimed that players should be allowed back and that 'it's hard to punish people'.

Amidst the looming prospect of the Saudi Public Investment Fund's proposed merger with the PGA Tour, the future of a joint tour that could reunite the world's top players hangs in uncertainty.

The recent $3b deal between the PGA Tour and SSG, a consortium of US-based investors pledging $1.3 billion in immediate and future equity for PGA Tour players, further muddles the picture.

It's now unclear if the involvement of PIF will remain necessary for the PGA Tour's progression.

In this ambiguous landscape, the fate of a potential unification between LIV and the PGA Tour remains up in the air. However, Justin Thomas hasn't held back from expressing his views on what should happen to players seeking to rejoin the North American circuit.

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."

While Thomas appears reluctant to give LIV golfers an easy path back onto the PGA Tour, he hasn't ruled out the idea of them returning entirely.

"I think there's a scenario somewhere, whatever it is, down the road of some kind of version of some guys being back, but when and what that is, I have no idea."

Questioned about the SSG's new partnership with the PGA Tour and the cash injection received as part of the deal, Thomas seemed uncertain of what kind of impact it would have, but remained optimistic that it would benefit both the players and the fans, he added:

"I really don't know. Like you said, you don't get to be who they are and you also don't invest that much money for fun just because you love the game of golf. Clearly this is something that they view as an investment, and to be able to have it grow, which is exciting as a player but also as a fan of golf because for that to continue to grow and get better, then our product is going to get better, which is going to be more fan friendly to watch.

"Everything about it should continue to get better and more and more watchable and enjoyable and just people wanting to be fans of golf. That part of it is exciting to me, both as a player and as a fan."

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