Phil Mickelson was the very first PGA Tour star to pledge loyalties to the Saudi Golf League – now known as LIV Golf – but his fellow stars were not all on board initially.
The 2022 Genesis Invitational witnessed the dominance of a non-participant, Phil Mickelson, following the release of his explosive interview with Fire Pit Collective regarding Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the game.
Mickelson, a six-time major champion, referred to the Middle Eastern state as ‘scary motherf******’ during the interview, which he later claimed was ‘off the record’. Despite facing backlash and issuing a public apology, Mickelson took a four-month hiatus before making a comeback with the establishment of LIV Golf in June 2022.
Since then, both Mickelson and the league have experienced tremendous success. While some of the PGA Tour’s prominent figures have joined Mickelson in switching to LIV Golf, not all were initially supportive of the move.
Following his initial remarks, several players expressed their unwavering commitment to the PGA Tour, dismissing any possibility of switching. However, after two years, five prominent players, including the winner of that year’s Genesis tournament, have had a change of heart.
Joaquin Niemann
Starting with the 2022 champion at Riviera, Joaquin Niemann, the talented golfer from Chile made a name for himself as one of the most promising players in the sport. His victory at the Genesis tournament marked his impressive entry onto the golf scene. Interestingly, during the same week of his triumph, Niemann made it clear that he had no intention of joining Mickelson at LIV Golf, emphasizing that nothing could compare to the thrill of winning on the PGA Tour.
Back then, he confidently stated, “Everyone’s here to compete against the best players in the world. I’m here to do the same. Winning a PGA Tour event, receiving a trophy, having Tiger Woods present, and all the rich history associated with it, there’s simply nothing that can rival this experience.” Fast forward two years, and the Chilean golfer has become a LIV Golf champion himself, now leading as the captain of Torque GC.
Dustin Johnson
Following his victory in the inaugural LIV event of 2024 in Mexico, Niemann was quickly succeeded by Dustin Johnson in Las Vegas a week later, where he secured his third title on the breakaway circuit. Similar to Niemann, Johnson also dismissed the possibility of joining Mickelson at Riviera in 2022.
Bryson DeChambeau
Following Johnson’s statement, Bryson DeChambeau also expressed his commitment to the PGA Tour amidst the Mickelson controversy. He emphasized, “Despite the speculation surrounding my potential support for another tour, I want to clarify that as long as the top players continue to compete in the PGA Tour, I will remain loyal to it.”
However, circumstances have now evolved. Similar to Johnson, Niemann, and Mickelson, DeChambeau has become one of LIV’s team captains, overseeing the reigning champions of last year’s season, Crushers GC.
Brooks Koepka
In addition to Mickelson, another team captain for LIV also expressed a similar opinion about his bombshell comments from two years ago. Brooks Koepka, an American golfer and five-time major winner, has been candid about his reasons for joining LIV since he signed the contract. However, he wasn’t always in favor of the move.
During the days following the 2022 Genesis tournament, Koepka stated, “I believe [LIV] won’t back down; they can simply double up and find a solution. They will recruit their players. Someone will compromise their principles.” Interestingly, Koepka himself ended up being that “someone” as he made the switch four months later.
The last player on the roster is Jon Rahm, the Masters champion, who is considered LIV Golf’s biggest achievement. Despite initial resistance, Rahm eventually decided to join the Saudi league for the 2024 season, signing a deal worth a reported £450 million in December of last year. However, like many others, Rahm previously stated his loyalty to the Tour in Los Angeles two years ago.
During that moment, he expressed his desire to convey an important message. He emphasized that this particular instance would be the sole opportunity for him to discuss the matter at hand. He officially announced his loyalty to the PGA Tour, stating, “I am officially declaring my fealty to the PGA Tour.” Being a member of the Player Advisory Council (PAC), he expressed his strong belief in Jay Monahan and the overall quality of the PGA Tour.
Considering the ongoing discussions and speculations surrounding the Saudi league, he firmly stated that he does not perceive it as the optimal choice for his personal and professional growth in golf. He firmly believes that his greatest achievements and lasting legacy can be attained by dedicating himself to the PGA Tour.
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