Golf

Scottie Scheffler sad about the impact of LIV Golf

Scottie Scheffler sad about the impact of LIV Golf

Masters champion, Scottie Scheffler, has admitted that he is sad about the impact that the controversial LIV Golf Tour has had on the sport. Many of the world’s best players have left the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed breakaway tour and the impact of such moves is still being felt across the whole of golf. 

Scheffler, who was talking at the Tournament of Champions, has said that there is a strange feeling in the air with a busy year of golf ahead. 

“In the world of golf, I think it’s definitely a little sad what’s happening. It’s kind of weird this week. I get to my locker, and my locker’s next to Cam Smith’s locker, because he’s a past champ here, and he’s not here. So it’s a little strange, but golf will move on. I think this stuff just takes time. Things will heal and we’ll see what happens. 

All that stuff is not really for me. I can only show up and just try and play good golf, and I’m not going to LIV anytime soon and so it’s not of a concern for me at the moment.”

While Scheffler is relatively measured on his feelings towards the LIV tour and the players who have joined it, other players haven’t been quite as polite. World number one, Rory Mcilroy, has gone on record in the past to say that he feels “betrayed” by some of his ex-Ryder Cup teammates who have joined the breakaway tour. 

scheffler wins masters

A truce ahead of the masters

Scheffler won his first major tournament last April at Augusta at the masters, beating Mcilroy by three shots to get win the famous green jacket. As he prepares to defend his title in three months’ time, he is hopeful that the occasion can help to ease the tension between the two tours. 

“I think there’s so much history with the game and the PGA Tour and Augusta. I think for a few weeks a year we can put all that aside, especially with Augusta National being such a special place and with the history of the game and whatnot.

I think we can put all our stuff aside and just get together for a fun meal, all in a room together and just kind of celebrate the game of golf and Augusta National and just hang out.”

One tradition of Masters week is the Champions Dinner where all previous winners of the tournament convene to have dinner on Tuesday before the competition begins. Earlier this week, John Rahm admitted that the meal could “get awkward” and Scheffler admits he has been winding up some of his friends on the LIV Tour about it. 

“I saw Bubba on vacation this year, and I told him that I was just going to have a separate table for him in the corner by himself, only kidding, obviously.”

Improvements to the PGA Tour

To try and prevent more players from leaving the PGA Tour for the LIV Tour, there is a recognition that improvements will have to be made. Although Scheffler sees himself more of a “listener” in such discussions he does want to be part of an exciting future. 

“I just want the Tour to be the best thing possible. The best product, best for the fans and the best tournaments. So I believe the more often we can get the best player together playing against each other the better and it’s going to be a lot of fun.


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