PGA Tour officials and LIV leaders hailed the announcement on Tuesday that their competing golf series would be joining forces, but players were split on the news. Here’s what they were saying:
“After two years of disruption and distraction, this is a historic day for the game we all know and love.” — PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan, who is expected to be the chief executive of the new entity.
“There is no question that the LIV model has been positively transformative for golf. We believe there are opportunities for the game to evolve while also maintaining its storied history and tradition.” — The Public Investment Fund governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan, who will become chairman of the board of the merged tour.
“Awesome day today.” — Phil Mickelson, who left the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf.
“Nothing like finding out through Twitter that we’re merging with a tour that we said we’d never do that with.” — Mackenzie Hughes, PGA Tour player.
“Very curious how many people knew this deal was happening. About 5-7 people? Player run organization right?” — Michael Kim, PGA Tour player.
“This is one of the saddest days in the history of professional golf. I do believe that the governing bodies, the entities, the professional entities, have sacrificed their principles for profits.” — Brandel Chamblee, a Golf Channel analyst who has been sharply critical of the LIV Tour.
“Welfare check on Chamblee.” — LIV golfer Brooks Koepka, referring to Chamblee, who last week declared that “any yielding to or agreement with them is a deal with a murderous dictator.”
“Now that we’re all friends, is it too late for us to workshop some of these team names?” — Max Homa, PGA Tour player, referring to LIV teams like Crushers, Iron Heads and Majesticks.
Source: Golf - nytimes.com
