PGA Tour chief speaks out on LIV Golf shutdown and if DeChambeau and co. could return
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp has offered his thoughts on rumours that LIV Golf could shut down and whether the likes of Bryson DeChambeau could return.
The future of LIV Golf is completely up in the air at the minute, with several reports claiming the league's days are now numbered just five years after it was first revealed.
It has been reported that LIV Golf officials are preparing to make a “seismic” announcement in the near future, while rumours have suggested that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) may pull their backing.
Since then, several players have spoken out to state that they have not heard anything to suggest that the future of LIV is in doubt, while CEO Scott O'Neil released a statement saying they will continue with their plans, operating at 'full throttle'.
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Despite this, rumours regarding LIV's uncertain future continue to circulate, prompting a response from Rolapp, the CEO of the PGA Tour.
Speaking on Wingo’s podcast, Rolapp said: "I’m like everybody else, I’m just reading things as they come across. I don’t know what’s going on. It would be premature for me to speculate, so I don’t have a lot to say.
"I just see the same stories everybody else sees. As I’ve said, we’re pretty focused on what we’re doing here and how we’re making the PGA Tour better, so that’s clearly where my focus is."
What would happen to LIV Golf players if the league shuts down?
If LIV Golf was to shut down, it would leave the 57 players competing in the Saudi-backed league without a place to play throughout the year, potentially leaving the PGA Tour with the opportunity to bring back some of the biggest names in the sport.
DeChambeau and Jon Rahm are among those competing in LIV Golf, but them being welcomed back into the PGA Tour ranks would no doubt frustrate some of their fellow players and fans after the pair declined the chance to return through the Returning Member Program earlier this year.
However, although he admitted the same offer may not be available to the pair if they were to ask to return, Rolapp refused to rule out having DeChambeau, Rahm or any other LIV player back on the PGA Tour.
“I’ve always said on this subject I’m interested in doing whatever makes the PGA Tour better. Fans want the best players playing together.
"I’ve always said that from day one when I took the job. Having said that, I don’t know what the circumstances are. Once there’s clarity we’ll cross that bridge, but we’re clearly not there yet."
Topics: Golf
Ben McCrum