PGA Tour was rocked following the introduction of LIV Golf in 2022 and at the beginning of a new year the controversial Saudi-backed circuit is showing no signs of slowing down.
PGA Tour board member Webb Simpson has expressed his disapproval of Dustin Johnson and the other players who made the decision to join LIV Golf.
Ever since LIV emerged in 2022, it has been making waves and posing a challenge to the PGA’s dominance in the sport. Some of the top players in the game, including Dustin Johnson, left the PGA to be a part of LIV. In the summer of 2022, Dustin Johnson, a two-time major winner, joined the Saudi-backed circuit and even became the LIV individual Champion. Additionally, his team, 4Aces GC, achieved great success by winning four regular-season events and the Team Championship.
In 2023, the 39-year-old golfer managed to secure just one LIV title. It was an exhilarating playoff victory in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Johnson appears to have found his place in LIV, but he has faced criticism from Simpson. Simpson is still disappointed that his friend and other golfers decided to switch from the PGA to their rivals.
“I have a great fondness for Dustin (Johnson), he’s a close friend of mine,” Simpson shared with Golfweek. “However, he had the chance to be remembered as one of the top 10 greatest players ever. Unfortunately, once he signed with LIV, we’ll never truly know.”
“It won’t be recognized in the record books. It’s a bit disheartening. But I’m not criticizing the guys for their decision. I just think these young players have a different perspective,” Simpson added.
LIV offers enticing financial rewards and a more manageable schedule, both physically and mentally, which are some of its most appealing aspects for the players.
The historical significance and legacy of the PGA will continue to make it superior to LIV for the foreseeable future, which is something that Simpson values greatly. He also expressed his concerns about the greed within the sport, suggesting that more sponsors could be enticed by the PGA’s financial offerings and negotiate sponsorship opportunities. Simpson clarified that he does not believe all players who join LIV are driven by greed, but rather that this generation may prioritize different aspects of the game compared to previous generations.
He emphasized the importance of achievements such as the Hall of Fame, number of wins on the PGA Tour, and contending in major championships, while acknowledging that money is a topic frequently discussed.
Johnson’s decision to move to LIV came as a surprise, especially considering his previous commitment to the PGA Tour just four months prior. When asked about the sudden change, Johnson explained that he believed it was the best decision for himself and his family, leading him to resign his membership from the PGA Tour. He acknowledged that he cannot predict the consequences of his move and how the Tour will handle it.
As for the majors, Johnson expressed his hope that he would still be allowed to participate, as he is exempt from qualifying. However, he acknowledged that he would follow any instructions or updates provided by the relevant authorities.
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