Donald Trump has urged the PGA Tour to reintegrate golfers who defected to the breakaway LIV Golf series, following the announcement that Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) is withdrawing its financial backing. Speaking in the Oval Office, the US president expressed a desire to see top players from both circuits compete against each other, highlighting matchups such as Rory McIlroy versus Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm versus Scottie Scheffler.
Trump stated, 'I'd love to see LIV. But I do believe that all of the golfers should be playing – the great golfers – should be playing against each other.' He added that the returning players would be accepted by the tour, saying, 'Now they'll all be back on tour and it'll be great.'
LIV Golf has postponed its June tournament in New Orleans, with officials hoping to reschedule later this year. The next event is scheduled for 7-10 May at Trump National Golf Club near Washington, D.C. Trump noted, 'I'm not sure what's happening with LIV, but they are playing at my course in two weeks.'
However, some PGA Tour loyalists remain cautious. Brian Harman, the 2023 Open champion, said returning LIV players should face consequences, citing 'bad blood and resentment' from the 2022 antitrust lawsuit filed by 11 golfers, including Phil Mickelson. 'I think there has to be something,' Harman said, though he acknowledged it was too early to predict the exact terms.
Jordan Spieth, a three-time major winner, expressed relief at not being involved in the decision-making process. 'I know olive branches were given out a couple months ago. Brooks [Koepka] took them up on it. So I'm not sure what would now change,' he said. Spieth added that the loss of Saudi funding does not necessarily mean LIV will cease operations, as it could secure alternative funding.
