LIV Golf signs Belgian golfer Thomas Pieters
Belgian pro golfer Thomas Pieters is set to make his debut in the LIV Golf League by featuring in an upcoming tournament in Mexico. Pieters has seemingly given up his position in the Ryder Cup for this series.
The 31-year-old has seemingly been in the sights of LIV Golf as the latter has been striving to add significant players to its line-up and boost its credentials. The announcement was made on 18 February, on Twitter by NUCLR GOLF, leaving fans feeling ambivalent about the deal.
The two-time PGA Championship winner will certainly be a commendable addition to the LIV series. He has climbed his way up to being placed within the top 50 golfers in the world, currently holding rank No. 34.
Fans react to Thomas Pieters being signed up by LIV Golf
#COMFIRMED — LIV Golf has signed Thomas Pieters per @TelegraphSport. As of now it’s their biggest get for the 2023 season.🚨#COMFIRMED — LIV Golf has signed Thomas Pieters per @TelegraphSport. As of now it’s their biggest get for the 2023 season.
Fans took to Twitter to express their surprise towards the announcement. One user was quick to point out a tweet posted by Thomas Pieters just three days ago. It was about his resentment at missing the Genesis Invitational. This contradicts his action of signing with the LIV Golf League.
@NUCLRGOLF @TelegraphSport This was him three days back twitter.com/Thomas_Pieters…
Several users expressed their displeasure at this news as they believe the newfound series to be an incompetent one. However, Pieters' arrival could seemingly boost the league's viewership and help with the overall growth of the endeavour.
Pieters' decision on this matter could have accelerated as a result of his frustration over the union between the DP World Tour and PGA Tour, as expressed in his tweet.
The Belgian golfer has won six events on the DP World Tour, his most recent win being in the Hero Dubai Desert Classic. He was not an official tour member, but he finished 10th overall last year on the DP World Tour, in addition to playing in last year's Player's Championship on the PGA Tour.
He is the third addition to the LIV series in its off-season after Mito Pereira and Sebastian Munoz. The two players have been confirmed to be on the LIV Golf League roster.
Greg Norman, the LIV series' chief, has been cornered for not recruiting groundbreaking players to the list.
LIV aims to create recognition for its brand and increase momentum by extending to 14 events in 2023.
Pieters had initially given the impression that he was committed to appearing on Luke Donald's side in September at the Ryder Cup. This decision seems to have rattled both his fans and colleagues alike.