What Is Stopping the Likes of Justin Thomas and Tiger Woods From Leaving the PGA Tour?

There is only a week left for the inaugural event of the LIV Golf Invitational Series. And according to the field list released, many prominent players have chosen to be part of the Saudi-backed golf league. 

Since the idea of the league originated, the golf world has been talking about how it would affect the PGA and the DP World Tour. While the majority of the tour players started being against the league, they began considering it as an alternative option now. Yet, some players on the Tour have kept their promise and stayed with the American golf organization. 

Justin Thomas has been vocal about his disinterest in joining another league, leaving the Tour behind. “If I wanted to go play that tour, I could go play that tour,” he explained his decision to stay on the Tour. “But I’m loyal to the PGA Tour.”

For a player like the 2-time major winner, the organization’s legacy is much more important than the money. Notably, each tournament of the league, apart from the team event, has purse money of $25 million. The total purse of the team event is $50 million. 

Read more: How Many Holes-In-One Has Tiger Woods Made In His Career?

Meanwhile, the most purse offered by a PGA Tour event is the Players Championship which offers $20 million. Nevertheless, Thomas and others like Rory McIlroy and Collin Morikawa have chosen to stay on the PGA Tour as they respect the history that it has created over time. 

Why did Tiger Woods choose to stay with the PGA Tour? 

The golfers like McIlroy, Thomas, and Brooks Koepka chose to continue with the PGA Tour since they believed in the legacy it created. A history that has seen players like Tiger Woods make records after records. However, why does the GOAT himself wants to stay on the Tour? 

“I have allegiance to the PGA Tour,” Woods said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have won 82 events on this tour and 15 major championships and been a part of the World Golf Championships,” the golfer explained.  “…the start of them and the end of them.”

Furthermore, the 15-time major winner believes the officials of the Tour to make good choices for its players. He believes that money doesn’t matter, but the foundation of the Tour does. 

Notably, Dustin Johnson of America had pledged his allegiance to the Tour this year. However, the golfer’s name is part of the field of the first LIV Golf league first event that begins next week. 

The players like Thomas and Morikawa have chosen to stay with the PGA Tour. However, since some of them have changed their stance, only time can tell how many will follow that route. Do you see more Tour players go and play in the league for its upcoming events?

Watch This Story: Phil Mickelson Once Made an Honest Confession About Tiger Woods