Scottie Scheffler: Golf’s ‘splintering’ attributable to LIV defectors

PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. — If golf followers are upset that the most effective gamers on this planet aren’t enjoying in the identical occasions akin to this week’s Gamers Championship, world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler stated they should flip their anger to the aspect that triggered the game to fracture.

“If the followers are upset, then have a look at the blokes that left,” Scheffler stated Tuesday. “We had a tour, we have been all collectively and the people who left are now not right here. On the finish of the day, that is the place the splintering comes from.

“So far as our tour goes, like I stated, we’re doing our greatest to create the most effective product for the followers, and that is actually the place we’re at.”

Whereas Scheffler will attempt to defend his title on the fiftieth Gamers Championship at TPC Sawgrass, reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm and different previous main champions like Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, Cameron Smith and Bryson DeChambeau aren’t within the area as a result of they’re enjoying within the rival LIV Golf League.

The PGA Tour’s flagship occasion, referred to as the “fifth main,” would not boast the identical deep area that it has prior to now.

“If guys wish to go take the cash and depart, then that is their determination,” Scheffler stated. “I am not going to take a seat right here and inform guys to not take lots of of hundreds of thousands of {dollars}. If that is what they suppose is greatest for his or her life, then go do it. I am not going to take a seat right here and power guys to remain on our tour.

“However on the finish of the day, that is the place I wish to be, and we’re persevering with to develop what we’re doing, and what they’re doing will not be actually a priority to me.”

Earlier Tuesday, throughout his first information convention for the reason that Tour Championship in Atlanta in August, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan stated the circuit’s negotiations with Saudi Arabia’s Public Funding Fund had “accelerated.” The perimeters are discussing a possible $3 billion funding from the sovereign wealth fund, which has financed LIV Golf the previous three years.

Monahan and companions from Strategic Sports activities Group, a consortium of billionaire sports activities staff homeowners that has already introduced it should make investments as a lot as $3 billion into the PGA Tour, met with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan in Saudi Arabia in January.

Monahan stated the tour realizes that followers are “bored with listening to about battle, cash and who’s getting what.”

One of many subsequent steps in a possible deal is Al-Rumayyan assembly with participant administrators on the PGA Tour coverage board, together with Tiger Woods and Jordan Spieth. The participant administrators are additionally serving on the board of PGA Tour Enterprises, the for-profit entity created by the tour and SSG.

“I feel it is actually necessary that we’re all rowing in the identical path,” stated Patrick Cantlay, one of many participant administrators. “I feel with this PGA Tour Enterprises board, I feel it is actually thrilling that we do have an opportunity to form of begin with one thing new and all transfer collectively in the correct path.”

Throughout Monahan’s information convention, a reporter requested if he believed he had the board’s full backing as he labored to maneuver the cope with the Saudis ahead. Monahan acknowledged that there is been “quite a lot of good, spirited debate amongst our board” about his future as commissioner.

“, that is a query that you will have to ask for gamers,” Monahan stated. “I am unable to generalize because it pertains to gamers, however clearly given the accountability I have been given by each boards, I’ve the assist of our board, and I’m the correct individual to steer us ahead. I do know that. I imagine that in my coronary heart, and I am decided to do precisely that.”

Xander Schauffele, the sixth-ranked golfer on this planet, stated he stays skeptical that Monahan is the correct man to steer the tour. Schauffele has known as for Monahan’s resignation prior to now.

“Belief is one thing that is fairly tender, so phrases are phrases, and I might say in my ebook he is received a protracted method to go,” Schauffele stated. “I am positive he is received the assist of the [player] board, since they have been with him making a few of these selections, however for me personally he is received fairly a methods to go.”