In 2021, James Piot’s victory at the U.S. Amateur at Oakmont seemed to set the stage perfectly for a promising professional career. He chose to join LIV in 2022 with a two-year guaranteed deal and the chance to play alongside stars like Phil Mickelson. But after struggling through the season and the next, Piot was relegated from LIV. Yet, despite the setback, he continues to speak positively about his experience, displaying an uncommon perspective on LIV.

On a recent episode of Monday Q Info, host Ryan French asked Piot about that pivotal decision, probing the motivations behind joining LIV, despite having a promising future on the PGA Tour.“Yeah, I mean, honestly, in the moment, it was a pretty easy one,” Piot mentioned on Monday Q info. For Piot, being offered “the ability to sign for status for two years” on a tour straight after college at Michigan State was one of the biggest motivators to join LIV. He even emphasized that, despite the notion that players join LIV for money, it has offered him so much more.

“And I think, you know, everyone talks about the money. Obviously, that is one of the factors, but for me, outside of that, I mean just being in that environment where it felt like college golf, but instead I’m playing with the first year I had Bubba as a captain, I had Sergio for a bit, the second year I had Phil,” Piot added. Since he joined LIV in 2022, he has been a part of the HyFlyers GC team. “So, like to be able to learn from you know guys who have won majors, I think is the coolest thing for me, and that was one of the most positive impacts LIV had on me, as far as you know my decision. And then being there too, just in that team environment, was phenomenal for me and growing and becoming a better player,” he continued. His words underscored more than just the financial lure.

Piot spoke passionately about the unique team atmosphere and mentorship opportunities that LIV Golf offered, providing a fresh perspective on the otherwise negative connotation LIV has traditionally carried. Despite his struggles on LIV, Piot never finished inside the top 20 in any of the 14 events and scored only 1 point in the 2023 season. Piot was then relegated to the Asian Tour, but he made limited appearances there in 2024 due to a shoulder injury.

But things turned around for him in 2025, as in June, Piot became the first former LIV player to earn a sponsor’s exemption back onto the PGA Tour at the Rocket Classic. It was an opportunity many thought unlikely, given his struggles overseas. But luck was on Piot’s side, and a wave of last-minute withdrawals at the Rocket Classic helped Piot earn a last-minute spot. For Piot, the moment was surreal.

James Piot made history at the Rocket Classic

James Piot made a bit of history at this year’s Rocket Mortgage Classic, becoming the first former LIV Golf player to tee it up in a PGA Tour event via an unrestricted sponsor exemption. Just days before the event, the Michigan native was sitting in a parking lot, preparing for a Monday qualifier, when he got the call. “I was in the parking lot of a Monday qualifier, hoping to play my way into the tournament when I received the news. For it to actually happen is the coolest thing in the world. It’s awesome. Just the fact I finally get to play in the Rocket Classic is a dream come true. Ever since the event was created on the schedule, I wanted to be a part of it,” Piot said when he learnt of the news.

The exemption came despite the PGA Tour’s 2022 rule barring players from Tour events for a year if they had competed in an unauthorized tournament, like those on the LIV circuit. But as that eligibility window passed and Piot remained inactive in LIV events since 2023, the door quietly reopened. And for someone coming off a rusty form, Piot played fairly well, making the cut and finishing tied for 73rd after a 7-under-par performance over four days.

Though far from a top finish, it was a respectable showing for a player who hadn’t been in a PGA Tour field before—and one coming off a difficult stretch of limited starts and recovery from injury. A former Rocket Mortgage ambassador and the first Michigan-born U.S. Amateur champion, Piot’s appearance carried extra meaning in his home state. With just one prior start in 2025 (a missed cut at the LECOM Suncoast Classic), this was a welcome momentum shift and a clear signal he’s not done chasing his place in the game.