PGA Tour veteran Steve Stricker has revealed that he knows some LIV golfers are eager to make a return to PGA Tour action.
Steve Stricker stated that people associated with LIV Golf are aiming to return to the PGA Tour. Since its establishment in 2022, LIV Golf has successfully attracted some of the PGA Tour’s top players to participate in its competition.
Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Jon Rahm all recently left for lucrative opportunities.
Although they have left, it seems that a potential reconciliation is being considered as part of the imminent merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
“The merger discussions have been ongoing for more than a year, ever since PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan surprised the golf community by revealing the agreement.”
Negotiations for the deal, which was originally supposed to be completed by December 2023, have extended into 2024, with April now being considered as the new deadline.
The agreement between the PIF and PGA Tour is anticipated to create opportunities for LIV golfers to rejoin the leading North American circuit, bringing together the top players in the world.
With the potential reconciliation still in the air, 12-time PGA Tour winner Stricker has claimed he knows a few players who are keen for a return to PGA Tour action.
Speaking to the media at last week’s Cologuard Classic, he said:
“I know the guys, some of them on the LIV tour want to come back and play out on the regular Tour.
“I know that for a fact, and so it’s kind of a wait-and-see game, especially for us out here.
Despite Stricker’s optimism, several high-profile players on the breakaway circuit have previously expressed their opinions on the matter, claiming they have no desire to return.
Following the announcement of the framework deal for a merger between the PIF and PGA Tour, Phil Mickelson tweeted:
“Not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour. It would require a public apology and restitution to LIV players for paying millions to clout media to disparage all of us. A better topic is future sanctions for the many players who now come to LIV.”
Echoing the sentiment, 4Aces captain Dustin Johnson made his feelings clear at LIV Valderrama last year.
The two-time major champion said:
“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.”
If a deal were to be struck between the PIF and PGA Tour, it would appear likely that pathways between the two Tours would be opened up.
A reunification would undoubtedly suit golf fans worldwide. However, some of the PGA Tour’s biggest hitters have already claimed there would need to be some sort of punishment for those who defected.
Speaking to the media at the WM Phoenix Open, Justin Thomas made his thoughts clear on the issue.
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.”
His reluctance to give LIV players an easy route back to the PGA Tour is shared by both Scottie Scheffler and Rickie Fowler.