Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and the players who have supported the PGA Tour over the Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League
Over the last year rumors have continued to spread about rival golf leagues that may challenge the PGA Tour and change the professional golf landscape as we know it.
Despite the $135 million offer reports and non-disclosure agreements, no players have officially committed to leave the Tour just yet. But on the other hand, players like Tiger Woods, an 82-time winner on Tour, and three-time winner and rising star Max Homa, have been outspoken in their support of the PGA Tour.
So if you’re wondering who may be running for the greener pastures of guaranteed paydays, it’s safe to assume it won’t be one of these Tour players.
So if you’re wondering who may be running for the greener pastures of guaranteed paydays, it’s safe to assume it won’t be one of these Tour players.
Rory McIlroy
“Not so Super League,” McIlroy said when a question about the league was being asked during his news conference ahead of the 2022 Genesis Invitational at Riviera Country Club north of Los Angeles.
“Oh, I’m so sick of it.”
“I guess I’m intrigued who would (join). Certainly for the younger guys, like it just seems a massive risk,” McIlroy said. “I can maybe make sense of it for the guys that are getting to the latter stages of their career, for sure. I don’t think that’s what a rival golf league is really; that’s not what they’re going to want, is it?
“They don’t want some sort of league that’s like a pre‑Champions tour. I don’t know. I understand the financial part of it for guys that are later on in their career. But you look at the people that have already said no. (Jon) Rahm, No. 1 in the world, Collin Morikawa, myself. Like, you’ve got the top players in the world saying no, so that has to tell you something.”
Rory McIlroy speaks at a news conference at the 2022 Genesis Invitational at the Riviera Country Club. (Photo: Robyn Beck / AFP)
Collin Morikawa
“I’m all for the PGA Tour,” he said. “Has it opened up things for us as professional golfers to open up things for the PGA Tour to look at what to do better? Absolutely. We’ve seen a lot of changes, some good, some bad, some that are still going to be amended I’m sure as time goes on.
“Right now you look at the best players that I see and they’re all sticking with the PGA Tour and that’s where I kind of stay and that’s where I belong.”
Collin Morikawa acknowledges the crowd after making his putt on the 13th hole during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Resort. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)
“The only way I can start thinking about other tours, other leagues, whatever you call it, I need concrete evidence. I need to be able to see a sheet in front of me and know what’s out there, right? And as of now, for what I know, I don’t know what’s out there. All I’ve heard are rumors, all I’ve heard is talk and that’s hard to do, right? I’m still open to learning because I want to learn what’s out there.
“I want to know the details, too.”
Tiger Woods
“I’ve decided for myself that I’m supporting the PGA Tour. That’s where my legacy is,” Woods said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have won 82 events on this tour and 15 major championships, and been a part of the World Golf Championships, the start of them and the end of them.”
Tiger Woods at the 2021 PNC Championship at the Ritz Carlton Golf Club Grande Lakes in Orlando. (Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images)
Jon Rahm
“I wanted to take this time to say that this is my official, my one and only time to talk about this, where I am officially declaring my fealty to the PGA Tour,” he said. “I’m a PAC [Player Advisory Council] member and I have a lot of belief in Jay Monahan and the product.
“There’s been a lot of talk and speculation on the Saudi league and it’s just not something that I believe is best for me and my future in golf and I think the best legacy I can accomplish is on the PGA Tour.”
“Everybody’s free to make their own choice, it’s as simple as that. All I can say is from somebody young like myself who has his entire future ahead of him, it doesn’t seem like a smart thing. Again, the only appeal I see is monetary, right? So like I said just earlier on, I think there’s a lot more to be able to play for besides just money on the PGA Tour. There’s history, there’s legacy. At the end of the day, I’m in this to win tournaments, I’m in this to play against the best in the world.”
Jon Rahm competes in the 2022 WM Phoenix Open at TPC Scottsdale. (Photo: Cheryl Evans/The Arizona Republic)
Justin Thomas
“I love it out here on the PGA Tour, and we’re very fortunate to get to go to some unbelievable places and play for a lot of money and have an opportunity to grow our brands and grow the game of golf. I’m very content and very happy with everything how it’s going here.”
-Wednesday, May 5, 2021, at the Wells Fargo Championship
Justin Thomas plays his tee shot on the par-3 16th hole at the 2021 WM Phoenix Open. (Photo: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports)
When Thomas was asked ahead of the 2022 Genesis Invitational if he’d reached the point where he thought players should make up their mind and pick a side – either with the PGA Tour or one of the breakaway leagues – Thomas made his views clear: “I’m way past that,” he said. “I’ve heard way too much talk about a lot of players that are so done with everything, but they keep hanging around, so clearly they’re not too done.”
Source: Golfweek https://ift.tt/fFYHy8P