5 LIV Golf stars who broke their word and backtracked to join the Saudi-led tournament
LIV Golf has slowly but surely poached a good bit of talent from the PGA Tour. Stars like Phil Mickelson and Cameron Smith were all-in without a ton of hesitation, while others needed time and/or convincing.
Many of these golfers stated that they wouldn't join the rebel league before they ended up doing just that. Here are a few examples of those who went back on their word.
LIV Golf players who once said they'd never join
5) Henrik Stenson
Henrik Stenson left the Tour to play on LIV Golf, which made his career a little more troubling. Padraig Harrington accused him of doing what he said he wouldn't do by joining.
This resulted in him being stripped of his captaincy for the Ryder Cup.
4) Paul Casey
Paul Casey was about as firm in his opposition to LIV Golf. Casey initially said:
“Signing a deal and being paid to be down there, I would be a hypocrite if I did that. Anyone who says sport isn’t political, that’s rubbish. I’m glad I took a stance, more so if it highlighted the issues within the region.”
While most people who are caught after defecting don't say much, Casey arguably doubled down, saying upon his defection:
"I can honestly look you in the eye and say that I see a trajectory, a positive trajectory in the kingdom, and it was a really good experience that I've had when I've been there, and I hope it continues."
Casey is one of the more high-profile defections.
3) Dustin Johnson
Dustin Johnson once put all thoughts of him going to LIV to rest. He said:
"I feel it is now time to put such speculation to rest. I am fully committed to the PGA Tour. I am grateful for the opportunity to play on the best tour in the world and for all it has provided me and my family."
However, he shortly thereafter defected to the rebel league and started his career there.
2) Brooks Koepka
Brooks Koepka infamously referred to those joining the rebel league as "selling out" and said that they were only going for the money. Cut to today, and it appears that Koepka did that himself.
He bluntly stated that opinions changed when pressed on the matter after joining. It is also reported that he may have felt he couldn't win again on the PGA Tour and decided to go somewhere where he had a chance to do so.
1) Bryson DeChambeau
Bryson DeChambeau is now one of the top players in LIV Golf, but he was once firm in his belief that he'd remain on the PGA Tour.
DeChambeau said:
"While there has been a lot of speculation surrounding my support for another tour, I want to make it very clear that as long as the best players in the world are playing the PGA Tour, so will I."
To his credit, some top players defected, like Cameron Smith. However, the majority of the world's best are still on the PGA Tour, so his statement doesn't hold true today.
All quotes via Irish Mirror.