Rory McIlroy recently created a stir by reversing his stance on LIV Golf, advocating for their return to the Tour. Despite this change of heart from a prominent figure like McIlroy, not all players share the same sentiment, and Rickie Fowler is among those who maintain a different perspective.
Fowler has generally kept his distance from the LIV Golf discussions, and following his bogey-free 67 on SpyGlass Hill on Thursday, he expressed his viewpoint. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy emphasized that decisions to go elsewhere and the subsequent return should not be straightforward.
Fowler acknowledged the choices made by certain players and highlighted the need for consequences, whether big or small. He has consistently mentioned his curiosity about the unfolding events in the coming months or years and reiterated the current ongoing situation.
While Fowler understands the players’ decisions to explore other opportunities, he also values the idea of competing against the best in the world.
Emphasizing the importance of having top players face each other regularly, he pointed out that such matchups predominantly occur during major tournaments due to a handful of players participating in LIV Golf.
This week, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am boasts an exceptionally stacked field of top-tier talent, attributed to its Signature Event status and a substantial $20 million purse.
The PGA Tour recently secured a significant deal with Strategic Sports Group, garnering up to $3 billion in investments from a consortium of professional team owners. This financial development might influence the Tour’s stance on potential collaboration with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
Jordan Spieth, a member of the PGA Tour’s policy board, firmly stated that, in his opinion, the Tour does not currently require the involvement of the PIF. The question remains: will this stance evolve, and can the existing divide in golf be reconciled?
At present, the division persists, and if Fowler has his way, any player looking to return to the Tour will have to face some form of penance.
Savannah Leigh Richardson, a golf staff writer for SB Nation’s Playing Through, provides golf enthusiasts with comprehensive coverage.
