Gary Player against tour return for LIV golfers

Gary Player believes that players who have joined LIV Golf should not be allowed to return to the tours they have abandoned.  

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the nine-time major champion explained that, whilst he understands why the likes of Cam Smith and Dustin Johnson joined the Saudi-funded enterprise, he believes they shouldn’t be able to compete in PGA Tour or DP World Tour events.  

“I don’t blame those who went,” said Player. “Most who left do not believe they can win on the regular tour any more. 

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“Louis Oosthuizen is probably the finest gentleman I’ve met in golf and he’s never won a tournament in America, so of course he’s going to take their money. Dustin Johnson and Cameron Smith, I was surprised they took the money but that’s their choice. 

“But I believe once you’ve decided that’s your tour, you should not be allowed to come back and play regular tournaments. 

“I don’t like 54-hole tournaments, nor the team side of it. Personally, I think you shouldn’t be allowed to dress in shorts either but the freedom to choose is important.  

“The thing that irks me is it’s become a damn war. Can’t stand it.’ 

For that, Player believes the blame lies with LIV Golf’s CEO and commissioner Greg Norman.  

The former world No.1 had long been a proponent of a world golf tour and came close to creating that back in 1994, only to be foiled by the PGA Tour.  

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That, says Player, has made the Aussie even more determined to crush the US-based circuit now. 

“Greg has basically had a vendetta against the PGA Tour for a long time,” he added. 

“He wanted to start a world tour [in the nineties] and was deprived of it. He’s been a bit bitter about that. I get on very well with Greg but I think he has let it creep into some of these decisions, which I think is a pity.” 

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor