Jaime Diaz insists LIV Golf is a ‘threat’ to PGA Tour

One of the most respected voices in golf believes LIV golfers should be nowhere near the Ryder Cup, as he calls on the PGA Tour to ‘punish’ those after cash.

Jaime Diaz has claimed players breaking away to Greg Norman’s league are a considerable threat to the ‘establishment’.

Before the first round of the PGA Championship got underway, Diaz was speaking live from Oak Hill on Golf Channel.

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He said: “The LIV threat still exists and the deterrent that it has been, you don’t let players have their cake and eat it too – taking the LIV prize money and still come back for the cherry picking of golf’s greatest events, of which the Ryder Cup is.

“You have to punish those who hurt the establishment if they ever want to come back. The Ryder Cup should be hardball just like everything else… if they want to prevent LIV from becoming more powerful.”

🏆🇺🇸🇪🇺 Jaime Diaz says LIV players shouldn’t be able play in the Ryder Cup: “The LIV threat still exists & the deterrent that is, you don’t let players have their cake & eat it too..”. He goes on to say it will “prevent LIV from becoming more powerful”.pic.twitter.com/aLWfKoSbIz

— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) May 18, 2023

Diaz did admit that teammates would want these ‘great players’ to be involved and acknowledged the increased chances of winning, however, he ‘thought the issue is bigger than that’.

As it stands, European Captain Luke Donald and USA Captain Zach Johnson could still select players from LIV Golf for this year’s biennial team event in Rome.

However, the inclusion of golfers battling on the Saudi-backed circuit remains uncertain, albeit slightly clearer for Donald following several DP World Tour resignations recently.

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Diaz, who has strong views on Brooks Koepka and co. not playing their part at Marco Simone this September, pondered how PGA Tour backers would take to their participation.

He added: “Although everybody likes DJ [Dustin Johnson], wants him, and he has not been combative against the tour yet, he represents that threat.

“If you reward him, what about the players who didn’t go to LIV, how are they going to feel?”

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.