This week, the golf world has been in a frenzy following several departures from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series.
Notable names such as Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Patrick Reed, amongst many other big names, have decided to leave the Tour in favor of seemingly bigger financial opportunities in the LIV Golf series.
This is certainly a big blow to the PGA Tour.
While there are still some excellent golfers who seemingly decided to remain on the Tour, for the time being, the landscape of the sport of golf seems to be changing by the day.
One of the most prominent names still on the PGA Tour decided to discuss some of the big additions by LIV Golf.
Justin Thomas spoke on the matter and did not mince words with how he felt about the situation.
“I don’t know if annoyed or tired is the right way, it is just one of those things,” said Thomas. “I have thought a lot about it. People are entitled to choose how they wish. I don’t dislike DJ (Dustin Johnson) now. I don’t think he is a bad dude. I’m not going to treat him any differently. Everyone is entitled to make their own decisions.”
“I’m disappointed, and I wish he and others wouldn’t have done it, but that is their decision. Selfishly, I think and I know that the PGA Tour is the best place to play in the world. It is what it is, but I wish that this didn’t take away from the great storylines that are going on with a Tour that has been going on for a very long time.”
🗣️ "I know the PGA Tour is the best place to play in the world"
Justin Thomas shares his thoughts on players leaving the PGA Tour to join the LIV Golf Series 👇 pic.twitter.com/QZFmJzrRTu
— Sky Sports Golf (@SkySportsGolf) June 8, 2022
Many golf fans appreciated Thomas’s stance on the matter and his acceptance of others’ decisions instead of putting them down for leaving the Tour.
this is great from @JustinThomas34. honest and forthright. what a wild last couple weeks in the golf world. https://t.co/21itX8i6DJ
— Chris Brockman🎙️ (@chrisbrockman) June 8, 2022
I don’t see what the big deal is with all this. We are all entitled to our own opinions and more importantly make our own decisions just as JT said. https://t.co/nfkSbzh2Si
— kano (@kaner_WWFC) June 8, 2022
This. But for golf and all other things in life. https://t.co/SheZN3BgSR
— ✭Besse✭ (@BesseBoy) June 8, 2022
A particularly level headed chap is Mr Thomas. https://t.co/owguXHoN5q
— Craig Burley (@craigburley) June 8, 2022
Up until this point, there has really been no rival to the PGA Tour in terms of exposure in the public eye.
That certainly has the potential to change with the star power that the LIV Golf series has brought in this week, and there may be even more big departures to come.
