With its inaugural event now in the history books, the controversial LIV Golf Invitational is continuing to dominate the golfing agenda ahead of the 2022 US Open.
While some players have opted to keep their cards close to their chests – most notably Phil Mickelson, who is suddenly a master of PR despite a series of previous out of touch comments – many of the world’s best, both LIV rebels and PGA Tour advocates, have spoken out about the breakaway league during US Open press conferences.
After becoming arguably LIV Golf’s biggest acquisition yet following a sensational U-turn, Bryson DeChambeau has insisted his decision to turn his back on the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf is purely a “business decision”.
“There were a lot of financials to it and a lot of time,” he said. “I get to have a life outside of the game of golf as well. [It’s] a business decision for my family’s future.”
That “business decision” no doubt refers to the reported $100 million fee which DeChambeau will be cashing in on by joining the Saudi-funded series, with the American set to make his debut at the league’s second event in Portland.
Those pledging allegiance to the PGA Tour have then questioned the financially fulled motivation of the likes of DeChambeau, Mickelson and Dustin Johnson, with Jon Rahm saying he has “never played the game of golf for monetary reasons”.
Comments by Rahm means the Spaniard is quickly becoming an important mouthpiece for the PGA Tour, alongside a chorus spearheaded by Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy, who have again both been vocal about LIV Golf in the lead up to to the US Open.
“These [majors] will always be the biggest tournaments in the world, and no amount of money will change that and that’s a great thing.” McIlroy told Sky Sports.
Advertisement
“I’ve always been an advocate of trying to make [the golf world] more cohesive, to try and get people to work together more, and this is ripping that apart.
“The guys that have decided to stay on the PGA Tour feel slighted, or feel like those guys have been selfish because it’s for personal gain.”
In dominating conversation ahead of the third major of the year, two-time US Open winner Brooks Koepka then placed criticism on the media, stating all the talk about LIV Golf has put a “dark cloud” over the tournament. But he still couldn’t resist a little hint that he was heading for pastures new in the future.
Listen to NCG’s Alex Perry discussing the LIV Golf Invitational on the Sky Sports Golf Podcast
Subscribe to NCG
