The LIV-PGAT merger has been the talk of the golfing world for a long time now. Phil Mickelson is known for being outspoken and stating his mind freely. After Mickelson voiced out his opinions on the $3 billion merger recently, he was backed up by another member of LIV Golf’s Cleeks GC team who had echoed Mickelson’s sentiments about LIV golfers’ reluctance to rejoin the PGA Tour!

LIV Golf defector gives his unfiltered take on the PGAT-LIV merger

Richard Bland spoke recently to Bunkered, wherein he suggested that players like Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson are content with their current association and have little desire to return to their former circuits.

Bland said “As far as I know there’s not one LIV guy that wants to go back and play the tour that they came from.” He also added that he certainly doesn’t want to either.

Bland also emphasised that he would’ve never thought of leaving the DP World Tour where he played for 22 years. He wasn’t alone in the bitter exit. He was followed closely by Lee Westwood, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson.

He also expressed his displeasure in going back to the DP World Tour, instead he wanted to consider other tours. He said “I would much rather support the Asian Tour and play some International Series events, where you’re going to be made to feel welcome to play.”

LIV Defector Phil Mickelson’s Unfiltered Voice

LIV Golf’s ace was vocal last month about his stance on the golfers potentially joining back the PGA Tour. He said, “What a colossal waste of time, not a single player on LIV wants to play PGA Tour.”

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The six time major winner instead thinks it would be more appropriate to discuss the future sanction and repercussions that will be faced by players who now chose to join the Saudi backed series. He has in the past also asked for a public apology and restitution for LIV players.

This assertion, backed by his reputation for speaking his mind, has only intensified the ongoing discourse about the implications of the merger. The golf world awaits the finalisation of the merger and the potential repercussions it might entail, do you agree with Phil Mickelson and Richard Bland’s take? Let us know in the comments below.

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