Golf expert shares new information about what will happen to LIV players if they come back to the PGA Tour
Paul McGinley has shared more thoughts on what might happen with LIV Golf, as there are serious worries about its future. LIV Golf is facing a tough time after reports said Saudi Arabia might stop funding it, just five years after the project started.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East could lead the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) to pull out, and a big announcement is expected at the end of the season. At a recent event in Mexico City, LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil said the current season will go on, but the Saudi support hasn’t been confirmed past August.
He told TNT, “You’re funded through the season, and then you have to work really hard to build a business plan to keep things going.”
LIV Golf has some famous players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm. If LIV collapses, these players would be left without a tour since they left the PGA. Many wonder if they could return to the PGA Tour, but McGinley told Sky Sports that it wouldn’t be easy.
He explained, “Over the past four years, all the spots these 56 players had on the DP World Tour or PGA Tour have been filled. You can’t just walk back into smaller fields than the ones they left. So, getting back in won’t be simple if they are allowed.”
McGinley also said returning players would face suspensions and fines before coming back to the PGA Tour. “There are many obstacles. Suspensions and fines will stay in place to be fair to those who stayed with the main tours over the past four years,” he added.
He said there will need to be lots of talks between the tours and LIV players if LIV ends. “It won’t be easy for LIV players, that’s for sure.”
Despite these concerns, PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp didn’t rule out a comeback for DeChambeau and others during an interview on Wingo’s podcast.
He said, “I want to do whatever makes the PGA Tour better. Fans want to see the best players playing together. I’ve said that since day one. But I don’t know the full details yet. Once things are clear, we’ll figure it out, but we’re not there now.”