Justin Thomas believes LIV Golf players should face “consequences” if they ever return to the PGA Tour, but he believes a deal between the competing tours would be for the good of the game.
The two-time PGA Championship winner admits he still feels “anger” from the LIV Golf breakaway in 2022, with the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka accepting huge contract offers from the Saudi Arabia-bankrolled league.
Professional golf has become embroiled in a civil war as a result, and it has taken its toll on fans and – perhaps more worryingly in the short term for the PGA Tour – sponsors. TV audiences have declined this year as viewers grow weary of the politics dominating the narrative, and last week major sponsor the Royal Bank of Canada urged the PGA Tour to find a solution as soon as possible.
The competing tours announced 11 months ago that a framework agreement had been reached between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) to merge, paving the way for the world’s best players to compete against each other more often and heal the divisions in the sport. However, material progress has been minimal since, with numerous deadlines passed as talks continue.
Thomas, who has declared his loyalty to the tour and has not entertained offers from LIV, told The Times that a resolution is needed, but he would not welcome LIV players back with open arms.
“Golf is not necessarily a big enough sport to be able to have competing situations like this,” he said. “If it were to go on too long, people could eventually become bored and not have the same love for watching it. And, as a competitor, all of us want to play against the best in the world.
Thomas admits a deal between the rival tours is necessary.
“Initially, myself and others had a lot of feelings of just anger, they’ve done this, that’s what it is, and that’s still true. I still think there should be some kind of consequences [for LIV players who want to come back to the PGA Tour], if you will.
“But at the end of the day, I do think it is better for the game of golf if we’re all playing together. How and when that’s done, I have absolutely no idea. I’m not the one making those decisions.”
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Thomas’ view was once shared by Rory McIlroy, the tour’s de facto spokesman for much of the LIV Golf saga. However, his stance has softened in recent times, with the Northern Irishman eager for a merger deal to be sealed as soon as possible.
“If people still have eligibility on this tour and they want to come back and play or you want to try and do something, let them come back,” McIlroy said in January. “I think it’s hard to punish people. I don’t think there should be a punishment.”
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