Gary Player is not all that happy with LIV Golf and the fracture that the sport of golf has experienced. He and others have considered it fractured, and it’s hard to define it any other way over the last few years.The gap is shrinking between the two tours, but it’s not closed. This week at the Masters, players from all tours are back together again, and it prompted intense discussion about the state of affairs.
Player said to media including Sportskeeda:
“It’s very simple. Anytime in any business whatsoever, not only in the golf business, there’s confrontation, it’s unhealthy. You’ve got to get together and come to a solution. If you cannot — it’s not good. The public don’t like it, and we as professionals don’t like it, either.”
Player says that everyone is unhappy with the situation in golf, and that conflict is not good for any business or sport. He continued, saying that the issue lies with compensation for those who stayed loyal:
However, it is a significant issue as they convinced numerous players to join the LIV Tour with promises of great wealth, which is difficult to understand. This includes the committed players like three of us and others.
The outcome of this situation relies on the merger enabling LIV Golf members to return to the PGA Tour, a scenario that seems quite feasible currently.
Despite being offered substantial amounts of money, the loyal players chose to remain at home without facing any consequences. Player is among those who think they deserve recognition for their decision. Tom Watson is aiming to bring solidarity back to the world of golf.
He acknowledged the current divide within the sport but highlighted the enjoyable atmosphere at the Champions Dinner hosted by Jon Rahm, where he observed everyone laughing and exchanging stories.
“I’m looking around the room, and I’m seeing just a wonderful experience everybody is having. They are jovial. They are having a great time. They are laughing. I said, “Ain’t it good to be together again?””
Watson added:
“There was kind of an appall from the joviality…. it quieted down, and then Ray Floyd got up and it was time to leave. But I think in this room, I know the three of us want to get together. We want to get together like we were at that Champions Dinner, happy, the best players playing against each other. The bottom line; that’s what we want in professional golf, and right now, we don’t have it.”
Many individuals who have commented on the current situation have echoed Watson’s sentiment in wanting everyone to be able to compete together again.
The intense competition and high level of interest in matches between Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm highlight the sport’s appeal.
This weekend, they, along with others, will showcase unity on the golf course, giving fans a taste of what they have been missing. The potential for continued unity in non-Major tournaments is uncertain for now.