Justin Thomas has echoed the sentiment held by Rickie Fowler regarding a potential return to the PGA Tour for LIV golfers.
Justin Thomas doesn’t believe golfers who left the PGA Tour for LIV should be able to easily return to the PGA Tour.
Speaking to the media ahead of the Phoenix Open World Cup, Thomas explained his opinion on a possible merger between the two leagues and echoed Rickie Fowler’s belief that players should not be given an easy return .
His comments come just weeks after Rory McIlroy made a complete U-turn on the issue after claiming players should be allowed to return and it was “difficult to punish people”.Related: Rory McIlroy’s LIV Golf U-Turn Is Officially Over: ‘
Let Them Come Back’ With the looming prospect of a proposed merger by the Saudi Public Investment Fund with the PGA Tour, the future of a joint tour that could bring together the world’s best players is uncertain.
The recent $3 billion deal between the PGA Tour and SSG, a consortium of U.S.-based investors promising $1.3 billion in immediate and future equity for PGA Tour players, further distorts the picture .
It is currently unclear whether the PIF’s involvement will continue to be necessary for the PGA Tour to operate.In this ambiguous landscape, the fate of a potential unification between the LIV and PGA Tour remains up in the air.
However, Justin Thomas didn’t hold back from giving his opinion on what should happen to players who wish to re-enter the North American circuit.
He said:“I would say there are a handful of players on LIV who would make the tour a better place, but I strongly disagree that they should be able to return so easily.
“I think a lot of us have made sacrifices and a lot, whether it’s being true to our word or what we believe, or just not having made that decision, and I totally understand that things change and get better, but not that’s how it is.” it would just…
I would have a hard time doing it, and I think a lot of guys would have a hard time doing it, and I’m sure we don’t have to convince you why we would have a hard time doing it.”
While Thomas seems reluctant to give LIV golfers an easy path back to the PGA Tour, he hasn’t ruled out the idea of a full return. “I think there’s a storyline somewhere, whatever it is, along the way for some guys to come back, but when and what, I have no idea.”
When asked about SSG’s new partnership with the PGA Tour and the cash infusion received as part of the deal,
Thomas seemed unsure of the impact it would have, but remained optimistic that it would benefit to both players and fans, and added:”I really don’t know. Like you said, you can’t be who they are and you don’t spend that much money to have fun just because you like golf.
Obviously that’s something which they view as an investment and an opportunity to grow it, which is exciting for a player, but also for a golf lover, because for it to continue to grow and improve, our product gets better, and it will also be more fan-friendly to watch.
“Everything should continue to be better and better watched and more entertaining, and people should just want to be golf fans. This part is exciting for me, both as a player and as a fan.
