Donald Trump sets firm request to PGA Tour after LIV Golf news
After Saudi Arabia pulled its funding, leaving the LIV Golf circuit in a tough spot, Donald Trump has spoken out strongly about the PGA Tour welcoming back players who left for LIV Golf — not if, but when.
Trump has been a big supporter of LIV Golf and is even hosting some top players at his Trump National course near Washington next week, even though the New Orleans event in June was postponed. As an avid golfer, Trump’s support of LIV has caused some tension with PGA Tour stars like Rory McIlroy. Still, Trump says he holds no grudges against anyone who criticizes LIV. He posted on X, “I don’t agree with everything my friends or family say or do, but I still play golf with them,” after meeting McIlroy recently.
Now, Trump believes the PGA Tour should welcome back all the golfers who joined LIV for the big paychecks because he wants to see the best players competing together again. Although LIV Golf is searching for new investors to keep going, players like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm have been quick to reach out to PGA about returning.
Fans and players in the PGA might resist, but Trump thinks bringing everyone together is the best move. “I want to see Rory playing Bryson. I want Jon Rahm playing Scottie Scheffler,” he said. “There’s something special about all the players competing together.”
Trump even said this reunion will happen, though he didn’t say if the PGA is fully on board yet. “Now they’ll all be accepted back on tour. It’ll be great,” he added.
It won’t be easy for LIV players to rejoin the PGA Tour. The PGA has a one-time returning member program, which Brooks Koepka used, reportedly giving up $90 million in charitable donations to rejoin. Although Rahm and DeChambeau could have used this option, they stayed with LIV Golf, earning huge sums — around $380 million and $180 million each from prize money and signing bonuses.
If these two stars decide to come back, it’s likely others will follow, but they’ll have to accept a big pay cut to make the switch.