Dollar bills: one of the main reasons why golfers defected from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf. Despite the likes of Jon Rahm and others citing other legacy-related reasons for defecting, the golf world’s focus has remained primarily on the financial benefits of the PIF-funded circuit. However, Xander Schauffele seems to have a different mindset.
The professional was asked about the return of the defectors to the PGA Tour without any penalty in an interview ahead of the Valspar Championship. While answering the question, he made sure to express his firm stance on the money aspect, all the while expressing his desire to play together with the professionals who jumped ship!
Xander Schauffele comes out candid on the LIV golfers’ return
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“I think that goes into the accept boat for me if we’re going to run that sort of scheme on your question here,” answered the 30-year-old when asked about his stance on LIV Golf Pros returning while keeping all their LIV money. Besides, he was quick to express his belief on the matter as he said, “I have to accept sort of any decision I was going to make a long time ago regarding to what you just mentioned with money and moving and them coming back and stuff of that nature.”
Adding on, Schauffele said, “I’m very content with where I sit right now, and I would have chosen otherwise,” as he alluded to the idea of staying on the PGA Tour as opposed to shifting to the breakaway league for the dollar bills. Moreover, the golfer also mentioned how he doesn’t have any regrets about the choices he made, indicating that he is sleeping just fine at night.
Meanwhile, he was also asked about the future of golf in three years. Responding to the same, the 7-time PGA Tour champ predicted a united golf world. “My guess would be that we would all be playing together again,” conveyed the professional as he mentioned how this is what the fans and TV would want. What’s more, he went ahead to take shelter in history as he said, “Just like all sports, when they have been fractured, they have always come back together. “So I’m just going to lean on the side of history.”
Interestingly, the athlete himself has had his fair share of rumors circulated regarding his shift to the Saudi-backed league. The reason? Well, he has never explicitly expressed his loyalty to the PGA Tour or his intention to jump to LIV Golf.
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Schauffele’s response to the speculation
In an episode of the Foreplay Podcast, the 2022 Genesis Scottish Open champ expressed his desire to be equidistant from both positions of the debate. “I’m not saying I’m going to go there, said the pro before adding just as quickly, “I just say I’m here right now.” Moreover, he also elaborated on his opinion: “There’s maybe a handful of guys who’ve done this, but, like, I’m not like, I’m going to play here forever.”
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Besides, Xander Schauffele didn’t shy away from pointing out how funny it was that the players who committed themselves to the Tour were the first to leave. “I mean, the funniest thing is that everyone that says they’re going to stay [are the ones to leave],” said the American Pro before continuing with a chuckle, “as soon as I hear someone saying, ‘I’m for sure staying, I’m pledging’ I’m like, you’re gone.” Well, regardless of his previous stances, it appears the golfer is currently content with his situation on the PGA Tour, especially after a T2 finish at the PLAYERS Championship.
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