'Definitely A Surprise' - Scheffler On Koepka LIV Golf U-Turn

Joining LIV Golf "definitely wasn't what he had in mind" as of last week, according to Scottie Scheffler

Scottie Scheffler pictured
(Image credit: Getty Images)

World No.1 Scottie Scheffler has expressed his surprise at Brooks Koepka's U-turn in joining LIV Golf.

The four-time Major winner was announced as yet another star name for the Saudi-backed series, but Scottie Scheffler says that Koepka gave no inkling of leaving the PGA Tour as late as last week. Scheffler said he was at a function with Koepka and they were "focused on building the PGA Tour." Rory McIlroy also expressed his surprise at Koepka's decision to join LIV Golf after hearing his views both in public and private.

"That was definitely a surprise for me," Scheffler said of Koepka's move to LIV Golf. "I was at a function with him last week and definitely wasn't what he had in mind. We were focused on building the PGA Tour and getting the guys that are staying here together and kind of just having talks and figuring out what how we can help benefit the Tour.

"So to see Brooks leave was definitely a surprise for us. With that being said, he's made his decision. I'm not going to knock him for doing that. He made the decision that's best for him and I'm not going to be one to judge him on that."

Scheffler is one of the many big names who are staying loyal to the PGA Tour along with the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm and Collin Morikawa.

"For me, it's not where I see myself heading anytime soon," he said on LIV. "I grew up wanting to be on the PGA Tour. I grew up of dreaming of playing in these events. I didn't grow up in playing in the Centurion Club in London or whatever it is or in. I grew up wanting to play in the Masters. I grew up wanting to play in Austin. I grew up wanting to play Colonial, the Byron Nelson.

"I wouldn't trade those memories for anything at this moment in time. Those memories, to me, are invaluable. I would never risk going and losing the opportunity to bring, go back to Augusta every year or to do any of it. There's nothing that I would want to do right now that would risk having any sort of affects on the way my life is now."

He also said he still has faith in the Tour and leader Jay Monahan amid the threat of LIV Golf.

"I think most of the guys are still, have a lot of faith in what the Tour is doing," he said. "The Tour is doing everything in their power to make it the best Tour for all the players out here and I think we, getting behind Jay as our leader and just kind of figuring out what's best for the Tour.

"I think we released something today about some new events and new bigger purses and right now the best players in the world are still on the PGA Tour. The guys on top of the leaderboard last week were on the PGA Tour. Canada was one of the coolest events that I've been to and it was my first time up there."

Elliott Heath
News Editor

Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!

Elliott is currently playing:

Driver: Titleist TSR4

3 wood: Titleist TSi2

Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1

Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW

Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58

Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5

Ball: Srixon Z Star XV