From ‘Big Mistake’ to ‘Rightly So,’ Major Update on LIV Golf Players Gets Mixed Reactions From Golf World

Ever since LIV Golf emerged in 2022, the golf world has been divided. The PGA Tour players who jumped ship and defected to the Saudi-backed side faced harsh consequences. With indefinite bans from the Tours and rumors of bans from major championships and international events like the Ryder Cup, the anticipation alone was rough on the players. But of late, the tide has turned slightly in favor of the Tour of Defectors. Three of the four major championships announced that the LIV golfers would be allowed to compete. And now the final major, the PGA Championship, has some news too.

The news from the PGA of America has divided the golf world

Just yesterday, the R&A, the governing body of the Open Championship, revealed that their event would be open to all, including those competing in LIV Golf! And just hours later, the only remaining major to open up about the matter has broken the ice too. And their statement has split the golf world.

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As per a recently released Golf Digest report, the PGA of America, the official body behind the PGA Championship, has announced that they too will allow the players who jumped to the new series to compete in 2023. The news certainly took the golf world by surprise considering how the PGA was a strong opponent to LIV.  However, some fans in the crowd were thrilled with the news. The Saudi-backed league loyalists were excited to see things go their way for once. They certainly felt like this was the right decision!

Meanwhile, many went against the major tournament officials for allowing LIV Golf players to play. Some even expressed their disappointment and called the decision a “big mistake.”

Which side of the rift, that this decision has created, do you stand on?

LIV Golf players to feature in the PGA Championship

Seth Waugh, the CEO of the PGA of America, stated that this decision to allow the members of the Saudi-backed Series to compete was made “in the best interest of the PGA of America.” At the 2022 PGA Championship, he explained that if the Breakaway Tour had become “a recognized tour,” then its members would certainly be eligible to play. But even though that hasn’t yet happened, LIV golfers will make an appearance to compete for the Wanamaker this year in May.

Despite that, past PGA Championship winners like Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka will receive invites for 2023. The league’s recent signings, Mito Pereira and Brendan Steele, too, will receive an invite since they finished near the top of last year’s championship.

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The news is undoubtedly a win for the defectors. And some believe it to be a step towards harmony between the two sides. Do you agree? Let us know below in the comments section.