PGA pro doubles down after slamming LIV Golf players who gave 'finger to the Tour'

Erik van Rooyen has defended his call for former LIV Golf players to return to qualifying school to regain PGA Tour status after making a good start to the Austin Championship. 

The South African, 36, made two eagles in a bogey-free first round 8-under 64 and sits two shots behind early leader Trace Crowe. 

It comes a week after he attracted attention for suggesting players who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf should have to earn their way back through the traditional qualifying system.

Van Rooyen reiterated that position on Thursday, insisting to reporters his comments were not personal.

"I have nothing against players that went to LIV, nothing personal at all, but that's just how things work, right? So shouldn't we just follow the rules?" he said.

He acknowledged that the requirements should depend on a player's existing status, pointing to two-time major champion Jon Rahm as an example of someone who would not need to return to qualifying school.

Van Rooyen said a player in his own position would lose their PGA Tour playing rights after spending two years competing on the Sunshine Tour and would have to qualify again.

The comments follow LIV Golf's announcement that it would shut down and liquidate its remaining assets after BC Partners withdrew from a proposed $300m investment.

Speaking at last week's World Wide Technology Championship in Mexico, Van Rooyen had criticised players who left the PGA Tour and DP World Tour to join the breakaway circuit.

"We were told initially that if you played LIV, you would be banned from the PGA Tour, and the story just kept changing," he said.

"They gave the finger to the Tour. If you're that good, go get it done."

Van Rooyen is also facing uncertainty over his own future, with the final event of the 2026 season a significant opportunity to secure his playing status for next year.

His campaign began with nine successive missed cuts, but he believes his form is improving.

"When you miss nine in a row, it sucks because this is where I want to play, this is where I believe I can compete," he said.

The former PGA Tour winner admitted he would welcome a victory in Austin to settle his immediate future, but is prepared to return to the Korn Ferry Tour if necessary.

"I'd love to get a win here and just be settled," he added. "But if that means Korn Ferry next year, that means Korn Ferry and I'll claw my way back to where I know I belong."

Van Rooyen hit 13 of 14 fairways in his opening round and will look to build on his impressive start as he targets a first victory of the season.