Scottie Scheffler Says LIV Golfers Coming Back ‘Like Nothing Ever Happened’ Would Be Unpopular Move

While Jon Rahm said he had the most fun he ever had at a professional golf tournament in the LIV Golf season opener in Mexico last week, he admitted this week that he had some sadness leaving his adopted hometown of Phoenix to go play in the LIV event in Las Vegas.

That’s because the WM Phoenix Open is taking place this weekend at TPC Scottsdale, which is typically one of the most interesting non-majors of the year.

Rahm said:

“I truly hope that things can come together. I’m just hoping that we get to a point where it’s coherent and there is coexistence and there’s a path for people to enjoy the same perks that you have the tours.”

Jon Rahm, Just Months Removed from PGA Tour, Hopes for Way Back In

While most PGA Tour players would like to see Rahm and other big names in their events, many believe that there should be some sort of caveat before they are allowed to do so.

Included in that camp is Scottie Scheffler, two-time defending champ of the WM Phoenix Open and the No. 1 golfer in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Scheffler said via (NBC Sports):

“I have no bad blood toward the guys that left. But a path toward coming back, it wouldn’t be a very popular decision, I think, if they just came back like nothing ever happened. They did kind of leave and – they left our Tour, that’s just part of it. There should be a pathway back for them, but they definitely shouldn’t be able to come back without any sort of contribution to the Tour.”

“I have no bad blood towards the guys that left… There should be a pathway back for them, but they definitely shouldn’t be able to come back without any sort of contribution to the TOUR.” – Scottie Scheffler gives his thoughts on LIV players who left the PGA TOUR. pic.twitter.com/qy5x0NTPVE

— Golf Today (@GCGolfToday) February 7, 2024

Scheffler was asked what he meant by a contribution, but he didn’t elaborate.

However, Justin Thomas agreed by saying:

“There’s a lot of us that made sacrifices … I would have a hard time with it (LIV golfers coming back without a penalty).”

As part of the PGA Tour’s new financial agreement with Strategic Sports Group (SSG), players will be given a share in the new for-profit entity, PGA Tour Enterprises. Many believe that golfers who went to LIV should be ineligible for that program, but Scheffler didn’t comment on that possibility specifically.

Cover Image via Sky Sports