‘They Did Kind of Leave’: Scottie Scheffler Demands Harsh LIV Golf Penalties a Day After Jon Rahm’s Request

Yesterday, it was Justin Thomas. Today, it’s none other than the current No. 1 golfer in the world, Scottie Scheffler. The American has now joined the likes of Rickie Fowler and JT to express his opinion on LIV Golf Pros returning to the PGA Tour. What did he say? Well, the athlete was also of the belief that they shouldn’t be let go without any consequences.

Interestingly, the one-time major champ’s interview comes just a day after the current No. 3 in the world, Jon Rahm expressed his eagerness to come back and play on the men’s circuit. Nevertheless, it appears even the Spaniard won’t be able to make a return without some sort of “contribution to the Tour,” per Scheffler!

Scottie Scheffler and his LIV Golf stance

Although the six-time PGA Tour champ said, “I have no bad blood toward the guys that left,” he wasn’t too keen on allowing the LIV golfers back to the circuit as it is. Moreover, he even dubbed the very idea of having “a path toward coming back” without ramifications as an unpopular choice for many on the Tour; “It wouldn’t be a very popular decision, I think,” said the golfer before continuing, “if they just came back like nothing ever happened.”

Adding on, the pro said, “They did kind of leave… our Tour, that’s just part of it.” Continuing with his explanation, he conveyed how “there should be a pathway back for them.” However, the 2022 Masters Tournament winner also quickly pointed out how “they definitely shouldn’t be able to come back without any sort of contribution to the Tour.”

Nothing short of disheartening for Rahm. Why? In an interview ahead of the Las Vegas event, the 29-year-old expressed his desire to make a comeback to the Jay Monahan-led circuit. He admitted, “I’m hoping that in the near future, I can be back playing some of those events,” while alluding to tournaments like the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines and the WM Phoenix Open.

A few golfers shared their two cents on the matter, while Rory McIlroy gave a green flag to the return of the defected players on the American circuit and opined that there should not be any punishment for them either. On the other hand, PGA Tour pros like Fowler and Thomas shared the same belief as Scheffler and agreed with the idea of dishing out some sort of punishment for the defectors.

Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas double down on LIV golfers

The 2023 Rocket Mortgage Classic champ, following the first round of AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, mentioned how “there has to be something for it” as he indicated how there should be a penalty for the defectors for the decisions they made. However, he was quick to say, “Whether how small or big, that’s not up to me.”

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JT, however, was more direct with his stance. He was of the staunch belief that there should be some punishment for those who jumped ships. “I would have a problem with it,” continued the two-time major champ while alluding to the idea of the LIV Golf pros coming back without any penalty of sorts.

Surely, there must be many other golfers as well who think the same regarding those who defected. Anyhow, the players in the Saudi-backed league can only wait for the merger to take place if they ever want to make a proper comeback to the circuit. Many would be having their fingers crossed for sure!

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