Days Ahead of the 2023 Open Championship, PGA Tour Pro Sparks Major Rumors About Joining LIV Golf

The practice round draw at The 2023 Open Championship this week has caused a stir in the golfing community, sparking talk of a potential big-name player swap between the PGA Tour and the aspirational LIV Golf League. Speculation increased after it was revealed that former US Open champion and PGA Tour player Gary Woodland would be joining the LIV Golf group of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, and Talor Gooch for their Wednesday practice round at Royal Liverpool.

The announcement follows recent events that suggested player transfers will be permitted to continue on both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, heralding a major change in the competitive golf landscape. The conjecture surrounding Gary Woodland’s prospective switch to Smash GC has aroused the interest of fans and experts alike.

Gary Woodland’s potential move to LIV golf sparks fierce speculation

The interesting practice round draw at Royal Liverpool is what initially fueled the hype regarding the PGA Tour Pro Woodland’s future. It is where the LIV Golf trio of Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson, and Talor Gooch are scheduled to tee off alongside the promising American. This much-awaited fourball has sparked passionate debates among golf enthusiasts all around the world.

The strong bond between Brooks Koepka and Gary Woodland has been well-documented, and the two frequently play together in practice rounds. However, when rumors about Woodland joining the ambitious LIV Golf league spread, this practice round pairing acquired additional significance.

A tweet from LIV Golf Nation read, “Word on the street is that Brooks Koepka is actively recruiting someone from the PGA Tour to join Team Smash. The hot name mentioned is 2019 US Open Champion Gary Woodland, who is friends with A LOT of LIV golfers. Only time will tell if there is any substance to the rumors.” 

The current conflict between Koepka and Matt Wolff, a teammate with LIV Golf and a former PGA Tour champion, is an additional source of speculation. Koepka, the captain of Smash GC, and Wolff had a falling out, which was made public when Koepka openly lambasted Wolff’s demeanor at LIV Golf London earlier this month.

Further conflict ensues amidst Koepka, Wolff fallout

In his passionate response to Koepka’s harsh words, Wolff called the episode “heartbreaking.” Koepka accused Wolff of having a bad attitude and “giving up” throughout tournament rounds, which caused the friction between the two to worsen. In addition to adding drama to the LIV Golf scene, this public debate has also sparked speculation regarding possible player transfers within the league.

Read More: “Should Have Done Something Different”: A Year After His Miraculous Shot, Jordan Spieth Reveals His Opposite Feeling About the Unbelievable Moment

Koepka’s direct criticism of Wolff, calling him “a wasted talent,” shocked the sports world. He said that he had “given up” on Wolff, citing what seemed to be a waste of his enormous ability. In reaction, Wolff voiced his profound disappointment with Koepka’s comments, referring to his well-publicized recent difficulties with mental illness.

Reports that Koepka’s LIV Golf squad was actively courting PGA Tour ace and former US Open champion Gary Woodland to join his Smash GC only served to stoke the fire. Rumors regarding Woodland leaving the PGA Tour have been loud due to the prospective acquisition of the player.

Watch This Story | After a Successful LIV Golf Adelaide, $400M Worth CEO Greg Norman Set to Return to Australia With Another Big Announcement