Rickie Fowler, the well-liked American celebrity, remained faithful to the PGA Tour in spite of strong rumors connecting him with the Saudi-backed LIV Tour.
When talking about his decision to decline a transfer to the lucrative LIV Golf League, Rickie Fowler did not hold back.
In the second episode of his popular golf series Full Swing on Netflix, which focused on his quest to win a major at the 2023 U.S. Open, Fowler, 35, talked about the subject.
The well-known American had been frequently associated with the league supported by Saudi Arabia, but he disclosed that playing against the world’s top players on the PGA Tour was his top priority every week.
The six-time PGA Tour winner told the show:
“I play to compete with the world’s best players, not to get paid, and I think the Tour is the best place to be,” the player stated. I would prefer for things to stay that way.”
In an interview with Golfweek earlier this year, Fowler addressed speculation about his future and possible transfer to LIV, citing Jordan Spieth, Tiger Woods, and Patrick Cantlay as major influences in his decision to stay on the PGA Tour.
He said:
“These guys are devoting a significant amount of time and energy to it.”While I was on the PAC [Player Advisory Council] last year, I have made an effort to keep out of the way because I have faith in the guys that are on it. I simply have faith that Jordan, Cantlay, Tiger, and the other guys will all wind up in good places, and I have no plans to move.”
Although Fowler has never publicly criticized the LIV league, he recently stated that he thinks defectors shouldn’t have an easy path back to the American circuit in the event of a merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Justin Thomas, Scottie Scheffler, and other former LIV critics support him in this regard, but Rory McIlroy, who completely reversed his previous opinions about the breakaway league, went on record as saying it would be difficult to punish those who wish to return.
Speaking about the potential return for LIV golfers, Fowler stated:
“I think Rory has had a bit of a rollercoaster ride, so [I’m] probably not in the same spot that he is—maybe we started in a similar area.”
In terms of choosing to go somewhere else and then simply [be] welcomed[back], I don’t think there’s a clear path.
“I mean, they made decisions and there’s — there has to be something for it.
“Whether how small or big, that’s not up to me.”
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