European Tour star John Catlin wants to play 'cool' golf, prioritizes LIV Golf qualification - "I am looking for what will unfold"
John Catlin, a multi-time winner on the European Tour, is focused on making it on LIV Golf now. He was added as an alternate and has been an injury replacement in the last two tournaments. After that brief spell, his priorities changed entirely.
Lots of European Tour players make their way onto the PGA Tour eventually. For a long time, that was the peak of professional golf that the majority of players were striving for. Like other things, LIV's arrival threw a wrench into that.
Catlin is eschewing that in pursuit of a LIV Golf tour membership. Via Golf Monthly, he said:
“It (The international Series) is definitely priority one for me now. Having experienced the LIV Golf events, they are really cool. We are very well looked after and playing that calibre of field for that kind of money is something we all want. That is priority one and I am looking for what will unfold over the next eight events."
Catlin will also play International Series Morocco soon. He has done well so far on LIV Golf, finishing T24 in Houston and T7 in Nashville. The golfer won $745,000 from those two events and enjoyed himself.
Bryson DeChambeau, the captain of the team Catlin has played on, said via Mirror:
"He's a fantastic golfer. I grew up playing some golf with him in northern California, and we had some early career battles, even in junior golf. He's a stellar player. He's shot in the 50s and won a few times this year now. It just fit our team really well."
DeChambeau added that he was extremely proud of how Catlin had performed in his limited time on LIV Golf.
LIV Golf star looking to International Series to stay afloat
Heading to Morocco, John Catlin's goal is to earn a spot on LIV Golf. The same is true of Branden Grace. He is already on LIV Golf, but he's in the drop zone and will need a good performance, like Catlin, to boost his chances of staying.
Grace said (via Golf Monthly):
"Listen, it [The International Series] is a great stepping stone for the guys playing out here full time, trying to get onto LIV. For me, I see myself coming here for the chance to play a week before a big event [LIV Golf Valderrama], even just to find something to take into those events."
The International Series has been one of the most important partnerships for LIV, as it has provided a way for golfers to earn world ranking points and potentially qualify for Majors. Now, it's Catlin and Grace's chance to get on or stay on the rebel tour.