LIV Golfers keep Ryder Cup hopes alive

The US PGA Tour has suspended all current or former members of the tour who have opted to play in the rebel series

The golfers who chose the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series are wary of their future as PGA Tour has slapped them with a ban.

European Ryder Cup stars Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer have insisted that they saw no reason why their jump to LIV Golf should rule them out of the trans-Atlantic matchplay showdown.

“Why should it be threatened,” England’s Westwood, who matched a European record with his 11th Ryder Cup appearance last year, said of his future in the biennial event between the United States and Europe.

“As long as you fulfil the criteria to be a European Tour member, then you should still have the opportunity to try and qualify for the Ryder Cup team.”

Westwood, Garcia and Kaymer spoke at Pumpkin Ridge in Oregon, where the second event in the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series began on Thursday.

The US PGA Tour has suspended all current or former members of the tour who have opted to play in the rebel series, which has sparked criticism because of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record.

The DP World Tour fined and banned members who played in the inaugural event outside London — including Westwood and Garcia — and said additional punishments could be meted out over subsequent involvement in the series.

Making a Ryder Cup team depends in part on gaining points on either the US or World tour, making it unclear whether players banned over LIV involvement would be shut out.

“I hope that I still have the possibility, as I’m sure they do, too, to be a part of a few more Ryder Cup teams, but that’s not going to depend on us now,” Spain’s Garcia said. “We’ll just keep our fingers crossed.”

Germany’s Kaymer, a former world number one who hasn’t played in the Ryder Cup since 2016, said that even if he never plays in it again, he doesn’t regret his decision to join the rebel circuit.

“Obviously we didn’t know what the sanctions might become one day, but if you asked me if I would do the same, if I would make the same choice, absolutely, because I do believe in the whole vision that LIV Golf provides for the game of golf and for us players,” Kaymer said.

Connect the dots

While the precise Ryder Cup status of LIV rebels remains unclear, 2023 US team captain Zach Johnson has indicated that the US PGA Tour remained the path to selection.

“In order to play on the Ryder Cup team, whether you’re top six or a (captain’s) pick, you must garner Ryder Cup points through the PGA of America,” Johnson said ahead of the PGA Tour’s John Deere Classic in Ohio.

“In order to garner Ryder Cup points through the PGA of America, you have to be a member of the PGA of America. The way that we’re members of the PGA of America is through the PGA Tour.

“I’ll let you connect the dots from there.”

Johnson will helm the US team next year in Rome as they try to retain the Cup they won with a devastating 19-9 triumph over Europe at Whistling Straits in Wisconsin last September.

That US team captained by Steve Stricker included three players who have so far signed up with LIV Golf: Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.

‘Move on’

Meanwhile, American golfer, Bryson DeChambeau says he understands criticism of the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series over human rights issues, but people need to “move on” from past “bad” Saudi actions.

The 2020 US Open champion spoke ahead of Thursday’s kickoff of the upstart tour’s first US event and second overall at Pumpkin Ridge in North Plains, Oregon.

Asked about concerns over the new circuit’s financial backers, the 28-year-old said people need to look at the good things LIV Golf could bring.

“I understand people’s decisions on their comments and whatnot. But as it relates to me, I have made my own decision,” DeChambeau said.

“Golf is a force for good and I think as time goes on, hopefully, people will see the good they are doing and what they are trying to accomplish rather than looking at the bad that has happened before.

“I think moving on from that is important and going and continuing to move forward in a positive light is something that could be a force for good for the future of the game.”

Saudi money is backing the richest prizes in golf history with $25 million at stake in this week’s 54-hole tournament. It has lured a number of US PGA Tour stars despite bans for those who jump to LIV Golf.

Asked about concerns about Saudi involvement, four-time major winner Brooks Koepka said, “We’re here to play golf. We’re excited about it. We’re going to go out there, put on the best show we can.”

American Pat Perez, also making his LIV debut this week, replied, “I don’t have any concerns. I’m playing golf. This group has provided me with an opportunity to play golf and have a different schedule and that’s my only concern.

“I understand the topics you’re trying to bring up, and they’re horrible events, but I’m here to play golf. That’s my deal.”

Players said a smaller schedule, only eight events this year, and richer purses were major reasons they made the jump to LIV Golf.

“I wanted to spend more time with my children,” said 2018 Masters winner Patrick Reed. “I wanted to be a dad. And to have an opportunity where I can play with some of the top players in the world.

“The reason why we’re able to do that is because our purses are higher.”

‘My opinion changed’

Koepka, who had supported the PGA earlier, said his decision was made last week.

“My opinion changed. That was it,” he said. “We didn’t have the conversation ’til everything was done at the US Open.”

Nagging injuries and recovery times were factors in his choice, citing burnout.

“What I’ve had to go through the last two years on my knees, the pain, the rehab, all this stuff, you realize, I need a little bit more time off,” Koepka said.

It could cost top players their chances to compete in some majors after this year if the tournaments follow the US PGA Tour in banning LIV talent.

“When it comes to the majors, we don’t really know where they all stand,” Reed said. “Having a green jacket, I would think I’d be able to play there for the rest of my life. At the end of the day, that’s going to be up to them.”

Reed also noted PGA plans to boost prize money at some events in 2023 and the launch three new PGA events with big prize money.

“Seeing how miraculously the purses all of a sudden went skyrocketing back up on the PGA Tour — it just shows that they obviously believe that this is not only a true threat, but a great tour as well if they’re going and copying what we’re doing,” Reed said.

Koepka accepts his fate whatever major organizers decide.

“I made a decision,” he said. “I’m happy with it, and whatever comes of it, I’ll live with it.”