DORAL — Donald Trump is advocating for the PGA Tour to accept LIV Golf players back as the Saudi-backed league is on the verge of collapse.
Speaking from the Oval Office on the day Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund — which owns LIV Golf — confirmed it would no longer fund LIV beyond 2026, the president said he wants to see LIV golfers back on the PGA Tour.
“I do believe that all of the golfers should be playing – the great golfers – should be playing against each other,” Trump said. “I want to see Rory (McIlroy) playing Bryson DeChambeau. I want to see ‘Big’ Jon Rahm playing Scottie (Scheffler). They’re great players. There’s something nice about all of the players playing together.
“Now they’ll all be accepted by the tour … they’ll all be back on tour and it’ll be great.”
This is the man who, during the early days of LIV, called the PGA Tour “stupid” and “disloyal,” and urged PGA Tour players to “take the money” and join LIV Golf.
Now, he has completely flipped allegiances, especially now since this week the PGA Tour is holding one of its signature events — the Cadillac Championship — at his course in Doral.
“The Tour wants to have the best players,” he said. “You can’t have the best players if they’re boycotting.”
Donald Trump supported LIV in early days
Trump was LIV’s most notable advocate when the league started, much of that having to do with the fact they brought him business, including four times holding a tournament at his course in Doral plus events at two other Trump courses.
LIV has a tournament scheduled for Trump’s course in Virginia May 7-10. As of now it will be played.
“I don’t know what’s happening with LIV, I’m not sure what’s happening with LIV,” Trump said. “But they are playing at my course in two weeks on the Potomac, beautiful course.”
LIV officially postponed its tournament scheduled for June 25-28 outside of New Orleans. And PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan is resigning as LIV’s chairman. Al-Rumayyan helped create LIV because of his desire to have a seat at the PGA Tour table.
PGA Tour members would like to see LIV players return, but believe there should be sanctions for those who left for more money.
Brian Harman said there was “bad blood and resentment” toward players who left the Tour, although it has subsided in recent years after lawsuits were dropped and LIV started its downfall.
“I think there should be something,” Harman said about possible penalties following his first round at the Cadillac Championship.
“I will never begrudge anybody for making a decision for the betterment of their career, their life, whatever that may be,” Tequesta’s Lucas Glover said. “But do I think they should abide by the pathways back and pay the same penalties that the previous people have paid. Absolutely.”
Jupiter’s Brooks Koepka has returned to the PGA Tour after four years on LIV, but was slapped with restrictions that include him being ineligible for signature events such as the Cadillac Championship. Koepka must work his way into the signature events.
Patrick Reed is playing in the DP World Tour while serving a one-year suspension from PGA Tour.
“It’s almost like people want to see that,” Trump said about the best players on one tour. “That’s why the Masters was so good. You saw everybody together. Patrick Reed played great. They all did. They’re great players. I play with them. They’re very good. When I think I’m a good player then I play with them, then I don’t think I’m that good.”
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Donald Trump changes tune on LIV Golf players, PGA Tour return
Reporting by Tom D’Angelo, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
