Xander Schauffele explains reason for ‘not pledging’ to PGA Tour

Xander Schauffele will play the Genesis Invitational at Riviera next month. But after that, who knows?

Well, the American isn’t sure either.

The event, hosted by Tiger in California, will follow turnouts at the Farmers Insurance Open, Pebble Beach and the Waste Management Phoenix Open, but beyond that the 30-year-old makes no guarantees.

A constant in LIV Golf rumours, Schauffele has perennially dodged speculation, admitting he won’t pledge to the PGA Tour.

And speaking to the Fore Play podcast, he has now outlined why.

“I’ve just tried to be as honest as possible and I’ve just dodged the question because I’m not going to pledge to the tour,” Schauffele explained.

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“I’m not going to say, ‘I’m going to play here forever’ or ‘I’m going to go there’, I’ll just say I’m here right now which is a fact.

“As soon as I hear someone say they’re for sure staying, I’m like ‘you’re gone’, and you just end up lying.

“If you’re not thinking sharp or someone puts some heat on you, then you might say the wrong thing and it will come back and bite you when your mind changes.”

Meanwhile, Schauffele – who lives in Jupiter, Florida – argued the established American circuit betrayed its players last June.

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Fans know the seven-time PGA Tour winner as one of the more private players on tour, but Schauffele has remained staunch on his criticism of its leadership.

At last year’s Genesis Scottish Open, he admitted to trusting PGA Tour chief Jay Monahan ‘a lot less’ after striking an agreement with the Saudi-backed circuit.

A deal could still come to fruition between Schauffele and LIV Golf, as he added his loyalty to the PGA Tour is a result of ‘being safe’.

“I just try to be as truthful as possible… I’m here now and I’m enjoying playing here now,” he said.

Schauffele has started 2024 with two top-ten finishes.