Is Xander Schauffele joining LIV Golf? Ask the man himself, he will laugh. Ask him if he is staying on the PGA Tour, and he would say, for now, definitely yes. What about the future though? Schauffele doesn’t want to commit. Rather, the American pro might shoot back why do the players who ‘pledge’ and ‘commit’ are the ones to bolt?

That was his reply when Dan Rapport asked Xander Schauffele. point blank, why does he always get linked with LIV Golf? Is there any insider scoop that we have been missing? The seven-time PGA Tour winner doesn’t exactly know why but hazards a guess. 

Xander Schauffele finds it rather ‘funny’ that he gets targeted

Xander Schauffele said, one major reason for the LIV Golf rumors is that he never publicly said he wouldn’t join the breakaway league. Unlike many PGA Tour Pros, who committed to staying at the PGA Tour and then, of course, dramatically bolted, the American Pro has refrained from public display of allegiance and loyalty. 

“[T]here’s maybe a handful of guys who’ve done this, but like, I’m not like, I’m gonna play here forever,” said the 30-year-old in the Fore Play Podcast. Instead, Schauffele has stayed equidistant from two positions at the far end of the LIV-PGAT debate. “I’m not saying I’m gonna go there. I just say I’m here right now,” the World No.5 defends his stance. 

Contrarily, Xander Schauffele believes those who committed to the PGA Tour, have been the first ones to bolt. “I mean, the funniest thing is that everyone that says they’re going to stay, [are the ones to leave]… as soon as I hear someone saying, ‘I’m for sure staying, I’m pledging’ I’m like, you’re gone,” the La Jolla native chuckled.

The poke was not just at Jon Rahm. Go back two years, Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, and almost everyone was firm in their commitment. It was the kind of loyalty exhibition that prompted Rory McIlroy to claim that LIV looks “dead in the water.” The situation, of course, has changed and Schauffele offered more than one reason for the LIV Golf rumors.

Is Schauffele not happy with the PGA Tour?

While many players expressed their disappointment over the clandestine nature of the $3b framework agreement, Schauffele went a step further. The 30-year-old bluntly admitted that he would have a hard time trusting Jay Monahan in the future. Once again, speaking with National Club Golfer last October, Schauffele said, “I wouldn’t mind seeing some new leadership take place on our circuit.” 

Read More: Despite Disheartening Loss, Xander Schauffele Makes PGA Tour History With $635,600 Feat

His outspoken criticism of the Tour leadership was widely read as his frustration against the men’s circuit and thereby, his desire to leave. However, Xander Schauffele is staying at the PGA Tour for the moment. The San Diego State Univ. alum will tee off at the Farmers Insurance Open on Wednesday. Schauffele in his last two outings has bagged two top-ten finishes.

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