DropXander Schauffele had previously opened up on the offer he received from LIV Golf, but it appears the American star is remaining loyal to the PGA Tour for now
Xander Schauffele appears to have put any chance of him joining LIV Golf to bed, after the Olympic champion committed to playing in the PGA Tour’s 2024 AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am next month.
Schauffele’s name is one that has been connected to the breakaway circuit on the rear of its initiation the previous summer. Some of the PGA Visit’s greatest names have picked to do the Saudi switch since last June, including Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Creeks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau.
When it comes to Schauffele though, it appears the American star is opting to stay with the PGA Tour for now, with the 30-year-old kicking off his 2024 campaign at one of the circuit’s most historic events.
The seven-time PGA Tour winner was one of a number of stars to receive an offer from the LIV setup, but opted to turn it down. And despite their being a lucrative amount of money on the table for the American, he has no regrets over turning
Schauffele told Today’s Golfer last month: “I haven’t really thought a whole lot about it [LIV Golf offer],” he added. “I don’t sit here and think, oh gosh, I should have pursued that more or anything of that nature. I’m pretty content with where I’m at and what I’ve done.
Despite pledging his allegiance to the PGA Tour, Schauffele is one of a number of players who have shared their discontent with the circuit’s leadership, following their decision to join forces with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF). The proposed deal will see the Tour work in unison with their LIV rivals, after being involved in a year-long feud with the breakaway league.
The American initially claimed he felt a sense of ‘betrayal’ when it came to the Tour’s Saudi U-turn, and in the months following has called on the likes of commissioner Jay Monahan to be replaced from their roles. “I wouldn’t mind seeing some new leadership take place on our circuit,” Schauffele added.
“I would be lying if I said that I have a whole lot of trust after what happened. That’s definitely the consensus that I get when I talk to a lot of guys. It’s a bit contradictory when they call it ‘our Tour’ and things can happen without us even knowing.
It’s hard. I’m certain there are purposes behind what occurred, and yet, it places us in a truly hard spot to believe the authority that did some stuff in obscurity and should have our wellbeing on the most fundamental level.” With regards to the following month outing to Rock Ocean side, the 30-year-old will join various individual huge names.
As well as Schauffele, six European Ryder Cup stars in Rory McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Matt Fitzpatrick, Viktor Hovland, Tyrrell Hatton and Justin Rose will all tee it up. The 30-year-old will likewise be joined by two of his U.S. partners, with Jordan Spieth and Wyndham Clark in the field.
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