Scottie Scheffler Gets Bashed by Fans for His ‘Absolutely Ludicrous Take’ On LIV Golf Defections

If you are frustrated at the PGA Tour-LIV Golf division, you should blame the latter. After all, it’s the players’ defection that created the division in the first place, Scottie Scheffler unequivocally said from Ponte Vedra. Fans, however, believe the case is not so simple. 

Calling him the ‘new puppet’, netizens sought to offer the reigning world no. 1 a reality check. Many pointed out that it was extremely naive of Scheffler to put the blame on the shoulders of his former peers. Ironically, the fans for whom Scheffler said they were improving the product turned against him.

Scottie Scheffler finally voices his LIV frustration

Scheffler said that they are trying to create the best product for the fans. But if some players bolt to the other side because of money, there is nothing the remaining players can do to stop them. “I’m not gonna sit here and force guys to stay on the Tour,” the 27-year-old said with a subdued frustration in his voice. 

Reaffirming his confidence on the Tour, Scheffler added, “If the fans are upset, then look at the guys that left. We had a Tour, we were all together & the people that left are no longer here. At the end of the day, that’s where the splintering comes from.” 

In recent times, Scheffler also contradicted Rory McIlroy regarding LIV golfers’ inclusion in the Tour. The former Masters champion felt that there should be some sort of “caveat” if the LIV players want to play in the Tour events as well. “I think if they want a pathway back, there should be one, but it definitely shouldn’t just be coming back in first week they want to come back and play.” 

Fans, however, took a different view. They felt that Scheffler was missing the broader picture here. It’s not the defection that caused the split. Rather, it’s the PGA Tour’s ‘greed’ that divided the men’s professional golf. 

Fans want Scheffler to probe deeper

The internet questioned Scheffler’s intention behind this hypothesis. Some of them said it’s more gray than clear black & white, as he wanted to paint it. While others feel it’s about time, the blame game is stopped.

Read More: Scottie Scheffler’s Hot-Tempered Rant Amid Putting Struggles Raises Concerns Among Fans: ‘Pray for Ted Scott’

One fan said that LIV golfers did want to play on both Tours. But Jay Monahan didn’t allow them to, which was the root cause behind the ‘splintering.’

Scheffler stands to pocket $4.5 million if he can defend his THE PLAYERS Championship title. Some of them reminded him that the inflated purses came courtesy of LIV Golf. In 2021, THE PLAYERS had a purse size of $20 million, with $2.7 million reserved for the winner.

One fan felt Scheffler would become the new ‘scapegoat’ for Jay Monahan. It didn’t work well for Rory McIlroy, nor will it work for the defending champion. 

Scheffler lost a section of fans, it appears. Some of them, though, were willing to cut him some slack and hoped that this was a one-off comment from the seven-time PGA Tour winner. 

A section of them felt it was time to move on. Golf fans want the best players to tee off against each other and it’s imperative to find a way forward. 

Interestingly, Scheffler’s comments resonated with some fans who were frustrated at the players who bolted to the PIF-funded side. They believe that LIV golfers ruined the game in the name of growing it. 

Scheffler’s comments come at a time when the Tour commissioner said that the board members are fully committed to reaching an agreement with PIF. Scheffler’s point of view, however, indicates that not every influential voice sings the same tune.

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