Why Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and others want to stay with LIV Tour
There was a historic agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf just over a month ago, but many LIV players are looking to stay put.
Thing have settled in the golf world, or at least that’s what it seemed after the DP World Tour, the PGA Tour and LIV Golf all came to a settlement on a merger. After months of turbulence in a sport that is know for it’s peace and serenity, it appears things are as bumpy as ever with LIV golfers pledging their allegiance to the Saudi-backed golf league.
McIlory, Woods hot over merger
The merger didn’t sit well with those who remained loyal to the PGA Tour. Guys like Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm stuck with the organization they have been a part of and helped build over the last decades, only to feel betrayed by it’s bosses who paired up with the former “enemy,” LIV Golf.
Those who made the switch to LIV got fat pay days, signed on to a tour that has a shorter schedule and three day tournaments. For Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and others the move was a no brainer. Less golf for more money, and they can still compete in PGA Tour majors.
Now that a merger has been agreed to, it seems like the PGA loyalists are outraged at the decision, while the LIV players are just fine with the status quo. The PGA has promised compensation to those who stayed with the tour in their time of desperation. When that compensation is coming, to who and how much are still questions that remain to be answered.
Koepka setting LIV standard
For a lot LIV guys, they seems to be just fine with the way things were, and currently are. It would appear that they have no interest in playing in year round tournaments. “I’m excited for the future,” Dustin Johnson said of playing LIV Golf. “I think with this agreement, the only thing that’s going to happen is LIV is going to get even better than what it is now, which it’s already great. 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.”
Brooks Koepka made the switch to LIV last June, and since then he has won the LIV Golf Orland even, finished second in the Masters, won the PGA Championship, and finished in 17th at the U.S. Open. He has been the poster boy for LIV and those who made the switch.
“I think you can see the way the schedule has played out how everyone has played in majors,” Brooks Koepka said of playing LIV’s limited 14-tournament schedule. “Phil second, I got second at the Masters. Good showing by a bunch of LIV guys at the PGA, and then the U.S. Open, as well. I think the schedule has been fantastic. It’s definitely helped us in the preparation for the majors, as well.”
There is still a lot to work out as the agreement for the merger now must be put into action. The PGA players are unhappy with how things worked out and if the LIV players are able to continue to play their shortened season and still make big bucks while competing in major championships that will only infuriate the PGA guys more. At the moment things seems more complicated than ever before for the PGA Tour.