Some PGA Tour Pros 'Bitter And Jealous' After Not Getting LIV Golf Offer
Ripper GC player Matt Jones thinks some PGA Tour players are upset they didn't get the chance to join LIV Golf
The LIV Golf League makes its Australian debut at the Grange Golf Club in Adelaide this week, giving locals a rare chance to attend an event featuring some of the world’s best players.
Matt Jones will tee it up with World No.6 Cameron Smith, six-time PGA Tour winner Marc Leishman and Jediah Morgan in the all-Australian Ripper GC team, but before doing that, he told the Sydney Morning Herald he senses some PGA Tour players were upset they didn't get the chance to join the circuit.
The two-time PGA Tour winner was one of the original intake of LIV Golf players, and he admitted the move came about quickly. He said: “It was very last minute. I was first initially in touch with them in May and then I signed the contract on the Monday of the Memorial [tournament] and they announced the field on the Wednesday."
Jones also revealed that, even when he was named among the LIV Golf signings at the tournament, two of the biggest critics of the PGA Tour's rival could understand why he had made the switch. “I was on the tables in the therapy room with Rory [McIlroy] and [Billy] Horschel when my name come out during that tournament," he explained. "They were fine. They understand for a lot of guys, ‘Why wouldn’t you’? I don’t have the money and contracts those guys do. It made sense for me."
Nevertheless, Jones also said that there could have been some disgruntlement among other PGA Tour players that they weren't given a similar opportunity. He said: “Not one person I know was being critical, they might have been a little upset or jealous. I think there’s a lot of that. Maybe they didn’t get contacted or a chance to do it - and then they were bitter and jealous."
Jones then turned his attention to the PGA Tour schedule, and said he's amazed it doesn't have it's own event in Australia. He said: “To have someone fly down here for one week would be tough, knowing Americans and how they don’t like to travel. You would have to have a week off before and after to fit it in.
"But I’m amazed given when you consider we’ve been to China, we’ve been to South Korea, we’ve been to Japan now. The PGA Tour is not dumb. They know where the money is and where the markets are to make money. And that’s what they’re all about.”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
Tickets sales have been strong for a tournament that, as well as the Australians, will feature players including four-time Major winner Brooks Koepka, 2020 US Open champion Bryson DeChambeau and former World No.1 Dustin Johnson.
While that clearly demonstrates an appetite for top-level golf in the country, though, Jones doesn’t see the PGA Tour changing its schedule to accommodate an event there in future. He explained: “I think it’s a shame it hasn’t happened. I know there’s been multiple conversations from certain Aussie players to try to get one down here and I know it’s never happened. I can’t see it happening now.”
Jones also explained why he thinks this week's tournament will be one of the biggest ever seen in Australia. He said: “I think it’s probably one of the best fields, if not the best field, Australia has ever seen. That would even be going back to the Jack [Nicklaus] and Greg days. When you have the list of Major winners and tournament winners out here, it’s pretty impressive.
“Everyone is pumped. I can’t explain how excited everyone is to be coming to Australia - and I’m not just saying that to blow smoke."
Mike has over 25 years of experience in journalism, including writing on a range of sports throughout that time, such as golf, football and cricket. Now a freelance staff writer for Golf Monthly, he is dedicated to covering the game's most newsworthy stories.
He has written hundreds of articles on the game, from features offering insights into how members of the public can play some of the world's most revered courses, to breaking news stories affecting everything from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to developmental Tours and the amateur game.
Mike grew up in East Yorkshire and began his career in journalism in 1997. He then moved to London in 2003 as his career flourished, and nowadays resides in New Brunswick, Canada, where he and his wife raise their young family less than a mile from his local course.
Kevin Cook’s acclaimed 2007 biography, Tommy’s Honour, about golf’s founding father and son, remains one of his all-time favourite sports books.
-
Start Flushing Your Fairway Woods With 3 Super Simple Tips From PGA Pro Peter Finch
Flushing your fairway woods can take your game to the next level, but many amateurs struggle. Peter Finch has three simple tips to utilise these useful clubs
By Peter Finch Published
-
Bubba Watson Makes Hole-In-One To Move In To Contention At Asian Tour Event
Playing the BNI Indonesian Masters for the first time, the two-time Major winner moved firmly into contention on Saturday thanks to an ace at the par 3 11th
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau Expected To Play Asian Tour's India Event: Report
The Crushers GC captain and current US Open champion has been tipped to feature at an International Series tournament in India next season
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The Best Decision Of My Life' - Cameron Smith Insists He Has No Regrets Over Leaving The PGA Tour
The Australian left the PGA Tour shortly after lifting the Claret Jug at St Andrews - and he has no regrets
By Michael Weston Published
-
PGA Tour Pair Clear Favorites As Early Odds Released For 'The Showdown'
Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler have been strongly tipped to triumph in their exhibition match against LIV golfers Brooks Koepka and Bryson DeChambeau
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The Showdown: Date And Course Set For Las Vegas TV Match Featuring McIlroy, Scheffler, DeChambeau And Koepka
More details on the venue and date for the made-for-TV contest featuring Rory McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler, Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka have been released
By Mike Hall Last updated
-
'It's One That I've Always Wanted' - Cameron Smith Commits To Fourth Home Event Of Australian Summer
The LIV golfer will play in his fifth home event this year after signing up for the Australian Open at Kingston Heath Golf Club and The Victoria Golf Club from November 28 to December 1.
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau Overtakes PGA Tour In YouTube Subscribers
The two-time Major winner's YouTube channel has really blown up over the past year, so much so, it has more subscribers than the biggest Tour in golf...
By Matt Cradock Published
-
LIV Golf's Cameron Smith Adds Surprising Home Event To His Schedule For The First Time
LIV Golf's Cameron Smith has signed up to play in the NSW Open Golf Championship later this year - an event Greg Norman has won four times
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Why Is Bryson DeChambeau Not At The Olympics?
The World No.9 won his second US Open in June, yet he did not make the American's Olympic golf squad...
By Jonny Leighfield Published