Rickie Fowler reveals why he turned down big LIV money

Despite heavy rumours linking Rickie Fowler with the Saudi-backed LIV Tour, the popular American star stayed loyal to the PGA Tour.

Johnny Percival

08 Mar 2024

Rickie Fowler pulled no punches when discussing why he opted out of a move to the lucrative LIV Golf League.

Fowler, 35, discussed the topic during episode two of Netflix's hit golf show Full Swing, which was centred on his efforts to win a maiden major at the 2023 U.S. Open.

The popular American had been linked with the Saudi-backed league on numerous occasions, but he revealed that his priority was always to play week to week against the best players in the world, and the place to do that was the PGA Tour.

The six-time PGA Tour winner told the show:

"I'm not out there playing for a pay cheque, I'm out there playing to compete with the best players in the world and I believe the Tour is the best place to be. I'd like to see it continue to be like that."

Earlier in the year, Fowler addressed rumours surrounding his future and a potential move to LIV when speaking to Golfweek and sighted the efforts of Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods, and Patrick Cantlay as a key factor in his decision to remain on the PGA Tour.

He said:

"These guys are pouring a lot of time and effort into it.

"I was on the PAC [Player Advisory Council] last year but have tried to stay out of the way because the guys that are in there, I trust. With Jordan, Cantlay, Tiger and the other guys, I've just trusted that we're all going to end up in a good spot and I have zero plans to go anywhere."

While Fowler has never been openly critical of the LIV league, he recently highlighted that he believes if a merger were to happen between the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the PGA Tour, there shouldn't be an easy route back to the American circuit for defectors.

His stance is shared by the likes of Justin Thomas and Scottie Scheffler but is at odds with former LIV critic Rory McIlroy, who went on record to claim it would be hard to punish those who want to return, having completed a complete U-turn on his thoughts regarding the breakaway league.

Discussing the idea of a return for LIV golfers, Fowler said:

"[I'm] probably not in the same spot that Rory -- maybe we started in a similar area, but I think there's been a little rollercoaster ride on his part.

"As far as decisions to go elsewhere and just [be] welcome[d] back, I don't think it's a direct road.

"I mean, they made decisions and there's -- there has to be something for it.

"Whether how small or big, that's not up to me."

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