Matt Fitzpatrick is taking no prisoners when it comes to LIV players returning to the PGA Tour
With whispers circulating about the prospect of LIV stars returning to the PGA Tour, the US Open champion made his feelings very clear on the matter
There have been rumours swirling that some of the LIV Golf players want back in to the PGA Tour, but Matt Fitzpatrick has told any potential returnees that they have made their bed.
The PGA Tour’s new designated event schedule with elevated purses in 2024 has reignited the rumour mill, and the Englishman made his feelings very clear.
“My personal view is you can’t have your cake and eat it,” he told Sky Sports. “Don’t get me wrong, they could turn around and say, ‘You can come and play LIV if you want.’ But I don’t want to do that.
“I want to stay here and play on the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour. I would not let people come back if they’ve gone to LIV. I just wouldn’t.
“It would be incredibly unfair for the PGA Tour to do that. I’d be staggered if they did allow them. I think if you spoke to Tiger Woods, he’d probably have the same stance.
“I don’t know what other guys would have, but you’ve left a tour that you’ve probably been on – I’m [talking about] the top players who have been on here and done so well and now you’ve left for something that you think is better, but maybe it’s not. It’s not always greener.”
Ahead of the Players Championship, PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan appeared confused when asked if there was a potential pathway back for LIV Golf players who have now been suspended.
Monahan made it clear back in August that they won’t be allowed to return, and he reiterated this at TPC Sawgrass where the Tour’s flagship event is held.
“For some reason, I’ve been hearing that a lot lately, and I’m not certain where that’s coming from,” Monahan said. “I mean, players that have, the players that are playing on that Tour are contractually obligated to play on that Tour.
“So any hypotheticals at this point really aren’t relevant, and I think you know me well enough to know I’m not a big fan of hypotheticals. But our position has not changed.”
When it comes to the Ryder Cup, the US Open shares similar thoughts to his European team-mate Jon Rahm who believes LIV Golf players should be allowed to play in September.
Rahm has previously stated the Ryder Cup is explicitly Europe vs the USA, eliminating the relevance of which tour each competitor plays on.
Fitzpatrick featured heavily in Full Swing, the new Netflix PGA Tour series which will return for a second series in 2024, and he was seen in one part sharing a house with Thomas Pieters.
The Belgian was arguably Greg Norman’s biggest recruit in 2023, but this could mean Pieters won’t qualify, or might not be eligible, for the Ryder Cup in Italy this year.
Fitzpatrick is virtually certain to make his third appearance under the captaincy of Luke Donald, and like Rahm, he hopes each team fields the best teams possible at Marco Simone in Rome.
“Obviously, they can play on the DP World Tour, but the Ryder Cup is a completely different case,” he added. “For me, I’d want the 12 best players on the team. Hopefully, I’m one of those and to try and win – that’s what the goal should be to try and win and not be nice about who’s playing.”
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Matt Chivers
Now on the wrong side of 25, Matt has been playing golf since the age of 13 and was largely inspired to take up the game by countless family members who played golf during his childhood.
Matt is a member at Royal Cinque Ports in Deal playing off a 5 handicap, just a pitching wedge away from his hometown of Dover where he went to school and grew up. He has previously been a member at Etchinghill and Walmer and Kingsdown in Kent.
Having studied history at the University of Liverpool, Matt went on to pass his NCTJ Exams in Manchester a year later to fulfil his lifelong ambition of becoming a journalist. He picked up work experience along the way at places such as the Racing Post, the Independent, Sportsbeat and the Lancashire Evening Post.
Matt joined NCG in February 2023 and is the website’s main source of tour news, features and opinion. He has reported live from events such as The Open, the Ryder Cup and The Players Championship, having also interviewed and spent time with some of the biggest names in the sport.
Consuming tour golf on what is a 24/7 basis, you can come to Matt for informed views on the game and the latest updates on the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, LPGA Tour, Ladies European Tour and LIV Golf.
What’s in Matt’s bag: Cobra LTDx LS driver, Cobra LTDx 3-wood, TaylorMade P7MC irons, Ping Glide 4.0 wedges, Odyssey putter.
