Rickie Fowler: There’s no ‘direct road’ back for LIV golfers

Following Rory McIlroy’s LIV Golf U-turn, six-time PGA Tour winner Rickie Fowler isn’t buying in.

Retracting on his strong stance, McIlroy insisted those looking for a way back to the PGA Tour should face no punishment.

Speaking ahead of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the four-time major champ argued it’s ‘hard to punish people’, calling for the world’s top players to re-unite.

One man who isn’t in ‘the same spot’ is Fowler, who argued McIlroy has been on a “rollercoaster ride” since changing his tune.

“Well, the good thing is the decision’s not up to me,” Fowler said. “Maybe we started in a similar area, but I think there’s been a little rollercoaster ride on his part.

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“I feel like I’ve kind of maintained middle ground as far as learning about LIV when it was first coming about, and my belief in the Tour and that was always my dream to play the Tour.

“Yeah, as far as decisions to go elsewhere and just welcome back, I don’t think it’s a direct road. I mean, they made decisions and there has to be something for it.

“Whether how small or big, that’s not up to me.”

As recently as June, McIlroy had advocated for punishments for those who jumped ship, insisting “there still has to be consequences”.

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The change comes after Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton – two of McIlroy’s Ryder Cup teammates – made the move ahead of the 2024 season.

Both McIlroy and Fowler are teeing it up in the second of the PGA Tour’s eight ‘Signature Events’ this week, a tournament designed to fend off LIV Golf threat.

“For the game of golf and having the best players playing against each other more often, that’s ultimately what we’re trying to do with signature or elevated events,” Fowler added.

“Right now, with the handful of those guys being at LIV, that really only happens when it comes to the majors.”

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.