LIV Golf’s Thomas Pieters On What He Misses About The DP World Tour And Why No More Majors Is ‘Fine By Me’
Despite plying his trade on the LIV Golf League, it appears that there are still aspects the Belgian misses about his former employer, the DP World Tour
After a 2024 filled with mixed results, LIV Golf's Thomas Pieters is in a positive frame of mind as he begins his 2025 season.
Plying his trade on the LIV Golf League, the Belgian star is set to be one of six LIV players to tee it up at the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour and, after a year that saw him finish 30th in the individual LIV Golf standings, Pieters is hoping to make a strong start to his year.
“I still have one year of my exemption (on the DP World Tour) left and if I want to play my way into form, and get some reps in, then my only thought was how do I get into Dubai?" stated Pieters in an interview with Golf Monthly.
"I’m playing two weeks in a row in Dubai, which has great weather and competition. I get to play in Belgium and, when the LIV season is over, I hopefully get to play Wentworth and those tournaments."
Despite claiming back in March of last year that the standard of play in the LIV Golf League is "10 times better" than that of the DP World Tour, Pieters still holds the circuit to high regard, even revealing that "I have missed those (DP World Tour events) a little bit."
Speaking about his time on the circuit, the former Ryder Cupper explained that: “I miss just playing in Europe. You go to the cool towns like Paris, London and places like that. I’ve never been a fan of playing in America because, when your round is finished, what do you do?
"To me, it’s very different when you play in Prague, or Madrid, or wherever. That’s what I love about my job, so I’ve missed that but, as I said, I’m going to be playing five or six events in Europe, which will be nice."
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.
A post shared by 4Aces Golf Club (@4acesgc)
A photo posted by on
Despite Pieters' "biggest heartbreak" coming at the Soudal Open in his home country of Belgium in 2024, where he narrowly missed out on victory, the 32-year-old rallied with some fine results at the end of the year, picking up top 15 finishes at the International Series Qatar and Saudi International.
However, the new 4Aces player didn't feature in any Major championships, missing out on all four of men's golf's biggest events in 2024.
A number of LIV players, including Kevin Na, have called for exemptions into the Major events and, with regard to Pieters, he also hopes for something to be done but, in terms of his path to the top four tournaments, he seems content with his decision.
“If you’re in the top 10 of LIV you’re a fantastic golf player and you should be playing at the Majors. Obviously, it is up to all these governing bodies to come together and figure it out but, personally, it’s something that I haven’t really thought about.
"I made the decision, there’s no Majors for me and that’s fine by me. If I happen to play another Major then it would be amazing, obviously, but it’s not on my schedule."
Matt joined Golf Monthly in February 2021 covering weekend news, before also transitioning to equipment and testing. After freelancing for Golf Monthly and The PGA for 18 months, he was offered a full-time position at the company in October 2022 and continues to cover weekend news and social media, as well as help look after Golf Monthly’s many buyers’ guides and equipment reviews.
Taking up the game when he was just seven years of age, Matt made it into his county squad just a year later and continues to play the game at a high standard, with a handicap of around 2-4. To date, his best round came in 2016, where he shot a six-under-par 66 having been seven-under through nine holes. He currently plays at Witney Lakes in Oxfordshire and his favourite player is Rory McIlroy, despite nearly being struck by his second shot at the 17th during the 2015 BMW PGA Championship.
Matt’s current What’s In The Bag?
Driver: Honma TW747, 8.75°
Fairway Wood: TaylorMade Rocketballz Stage 2, 15°, 19°
Hybrid: Adams Super Hybrid, 22°
Irons: Mizuno MP54, 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland 588 RTX 2.0 Tour Satin, 50°, 56°, 60°
Putter: Cleveland TFI 2135 Satin Cero
Ball: Titleist Pro V1x
-
Luis Masaveu Facts: 16 Things You Didn't Know About The Spanish LIV Golfer
Discover more about LIV Golf League player, Luis Masaveu via these facts regarding his life and career so far...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Tiger Woods Set For TGL Debut As Week 2 Line-Ups Revealed
Ahead of Los Angeles GC vs Jupiter Links GC in week two of TGL, Tiger Woods has been confirmed as part of the Floridian squad's starting trio...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Sergio Garcia Signs Young Spaniard To LIV Golf Team
US Amateur semi-finalist Luis Masaveu has joined Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC team in the LIV Golf League
By Elliott Heath Published
-
Joaquin Niemann Backs Tougher Version Of Kevin Na’s LIV Golf Major-Pathway Idea
The IronHeads captain called for LIV winners and the season's top-16 players to receive Major exemptions, and his Torque peer agreed to a certain extent...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
The 5 Golfers To Have Dropped Out Of The LIV Golf League
Take a look at the players that will miss out on playing for millions this year after dropping out of the LIV Golf League
By Paul Higham Published
-
Watch Amateur Golfer Make Hole-In-One Over Bryson DeChambeau's House - And Pocket $100K
Bryson DeChambeau offered one amateur golfer $100,000 to make the same hole-in-one over his house that went viral - and he did it with ease
By Paul Higham Published
-
Should LIV Golf Do Away With Relegation?
Bubba Watson and Branden Grace have both returned to LIV Golf for 2025 after being relegated last season
By Elliott Heath Published
-
'Not For One Second Did We Think Of Anyone Else' - Stinger GC Captain Louis Oosthuizen Explains Branden Grace Return
The re-signing of Branden Grace to Stinger GC has led to fans questioning the decision but, according to their captain, they didn't think about any other player
By Matt Cradock Published
-
Kevin Na On Why LIV Golf Korea Will Be 'Massive' For Both The Country And His League
LIV Golf Korea is set to make its debut as part of the 54-hole circuit in May, with Kevin Na's IronHeads GC featuring three players born in the country
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
‘I’m Happy With My Decision And I Knew That May Have Been A Possibility’ - Abraham Ancer On LIV Golf Major Exemptions And The Presidents Cup
The Fireballs GC star remains positive on his move to LIV Golf and is hopeful that the circuit can receive Major exemptions going into the future
By Matt Cradock Published