Scottie Scheffler has revealed any bad blood between PGA Tour and LIV Golf players has faded, despite initially being left frustrated with the likes of Phil Mickelson over the fallout.
Following LIV’s formation in 2022, the PGA Tour opted to take a zero tolerance approach, suspending any of its members who opted to make the move to the Saudi-funded setup. Amid the mega-money offers on the table, Scheffler was one of many who decided to remain with the PGA Tour.
Not everybody opted to follow this stance however, with some of the Tour’s biggest names opting to give up their playing rights on the circuit to make the move to the breakaway league.
Following the PGA Tour’s sanctioning process, 10 LIV players – including Mickelson – opted to take legal action against the decision, filing a lawsuit against the American-based circuit over the punishment. In the wake of a shock framework agreement between the Tour and Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF) last June though, all legal action was dropped.
The agreement proved to be a changing in the stance of both rival tours, despite the lack of completion of a peace deal over 15 months on. Scheffler has kept himself out of the off-course politics for the most part in recent years, but did give some thoughts ahead of this week’s Presidents Cup in Montreal.
“There’s just so many moving pieces in that deal,” Scheffler claimed. Admitting that whilst he was initially left unimpressed with the legal action taken against the PGA Tour, he now feels that any animosity between players is no longer a problem.
Follow the Mirror US on Google Newsto stay up to date with all the latest news, sport and entertainment stories.
Scottie Scheffler is at this week’s Presidents Cup (Image:Getty Images)
“It’s one of those things where like my friendships to guys out there hasn’t really changed that much,” he added. “I think in the beginning when some of the guys were suing us, that was a bit frustrating for the players out here, but over time those things kind of fade.
“I don’t think there was a ton of ill will for that type of stuff. At the end of the day, you have your business, and you have your personal stuff, and I try not to cross the lines too much just because things get a little hazy there sometimes.” On the course, Scheffler’s focus will be firmly on representing Team USA this week.
It gives the world No. 1 the chance to team up with players he would usually class as rivals on Tour, and the team aspect is one he is clearly a fan of. “When you’re in these team events, it’s a bit more relaxed at the beginning of the week. You see guys in a different environment,” he claimed.
“When you’re sitting with a guy at dinner at night that you may have never had dinner with, but you see him — you have lunch at the course, but it’s kind of a quick, in passing thing. So getting more time with each other in a more relaxed environment I think is important. That’s why the memories are so fond. You get to know guys better and make great friends. Going out and competing together is a lot of fun.”
