“That’s such a funny idea…” – LIV Golf player says 12 golfers would prefer to retire instead of going back to the PGA Tour
One of the longest-standing players in LIV Golf has said that around 12 players would rather quit golf completely than return to the PGA Tour. The future of LIV Golf is uncertain because Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund plans to stop funding it by the end of 2026. The tour is still trying to find new backers, but many players are unsure about what to do next in their careers.
Jon Rahm will be allowed to play on the DP World Tour again and take part in the 2027 Ryder Cup after a long dispute. Meanwhile, Bryson DeChambeau has said he might focus on creating content full-time if LIV Golf shuts down. On the other hand, some players really want to go back to the PGA Tour, which they left to join LIV Golf. Anirban Lahiri, a teammate of DeChambeau, says he knows several players who would rather leave golf than “fall over backwards” to return to the PGA Tour.
He told The Times, “That’s the biggest joke ever. I won’t name names, but I know at least a dozen players who’d rather stop playing golf than go back to the PGA Tour. I respect that others think differently, but saying everyone is eager to return is just more of the same kind of propaganda we’ve heard for four years.”
Lahiri has played for LIV Golf for almost four years and earned around $35 million (£25.7 million) from 50 events. He also believes the PGA Tour won’t be welcoming players back with open arms after they left for LIV Golf. The 38-year-old said, “I don’t have a spot on the DP World Tour, and I’m sure the PGA Tour won’t roll out the red carpet for us. If I need to find a way forward, I’ll figure it out, but I’m not worried about it right now.”
Two-time Masters winner Rory McIlroy sees things differently. He’s glad Rahm can play in the Ryder Cup again because it makes the team stronger. McIlroy also thinks players who left should be allowed back on the PGA Tour. On the show Stick To Football, he said, “They’ve made their money but paid the price in reputation and what they lost by going over there. If having Bryson DeChambeau and others back makes the tour stronger, I’m okay with it. But it’s not just my call — the PGA Tour members as a whole would have to decide.”