Justin Thomaswinner of two Grand Slams, two PGA to be more specific and the last one three weeks ago, and Rory McIlroywinner of four ‘majors’, both number one in the world at the time and therefore two of the most authoritative voices at the moment in the PGA Tourspoke after the dispute in the first round of the Canadian Open about the ‘sanction’ of the 17 ‘rebel’ golfers who have gone to the millionaire Saudi Super League.
“I am happy. Whoever is shocked is that they have not listened to the message that Jay Monahan (executive director of the American circuit) has launched all the time. The players who have gone to LIV Golf decided to take that risk, if they thought it was a risk. As I’ve always said, I have a lot of faith and confidence in the PGA Tour, the path we’re on and we’re going to continue to grow. LIV players are not going to be a part of it,” Thomas said.
McIlroy, for his part, assured that he was going to watch the LIV Golf tournament on television out of curiosity and because he has some friends there. The Northern Irishman also applauded Monahan’s decision. “I think Jay has been pretty transparent. He’s always said that he’s going to act within the rules of the tour and the rules that are put in place to be a member of the PGA Tour. All he’s doing is basically following the book. I think most Of the members that we are here this week and we have not gone to play somewhere else we really appreciate it. So I think he has done the right thing because these guys have broken the rules, they have done things outside the regulations and that has consequences, “he explained. .
Thomas also got wet about what the relationship will be like between the players who stay on the PGA Tour and those who have gone to LIV Golf. “Next week at the US Open is going to be all a bit weird. I saw DJ last week at home, and he was good. I would say a lot of guys, myself included, don’t go to the US Open to socialize. I’m not there. to have a conversation and catch up. I’m sure it will be awkward. When I saw DJ last week, I didn’t know what to say, whether to congratulate him, say goodbye or what. I think we are all adults and we know that with some we can do jokes and others will have to be left alone. In the end, we are all there to win a Grand Slam”.
Justin hopes there will be no more ‘defections’ to the Super League (LIV Golf). “You don’t know. They’re offering so much money to people that it’s very hard to turn down. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you are, everything has a number. It’s clear that they’re reaching that number for some people and I hope they don’t others. I think we have a very strong core on the PGA Tour, very stable and firm, and I hope it continues to be that way.”
