Ian Poulter, Sergio Garcia and Graeme McDowell weigh in on new dawn for LIV Golf
- Doug Mattushek
- 30 June 2023
With LIV Golf on the verge of merging with more established tours, three European legends believe the sun will continue to shine on the breakaway tour.
As LIV Golf flexes its muscles in the boardroom, Ian Poulter is looking forward to retribution, Sergio Garica wants cohesion and Graeme McDowell is keen on a new format...
The LIV Golf wantaways - who have copped a fair share of criticism - would have been smiling when PGA Tour overlord Jay Monahan surprised all with a move to merge with LIV bankrollers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
While a deal is currently being hashed out behind closed doors, those that left the established tours are confident they are going to be well taken care of once the world's golfing bodies are one happy family again, none more so than the facetious Poulter…
"I am looking forward to all the servings of humble pie," the 12-time DP World Tour winner told
Telegraph Sport.
"And it will not be us LIV guys doing the backtracking."
Poulter's Ryder Cup teammate Garcia - who gave up his tour cards in dramatic fashion and almost lost a dear friend in Rory McIlroy - is also feeling positive about the impending merger. He pointed to LIV's five-year partnership with his beloved Valderrama Golf Club in Andalucia as a deal where everyone wins.
"I think this multi-year LIV partnership with Andalucia says it all," said the 2017 Masters winner.
"I'm very confident of being here next year with LIV. I mean, that's what I can see. We're in a good spot. There's a lot of details that are not finalised yet, and there's a lot of speculation But I think it's going to be a great deal for everyone. I fully expect us as LIV to be at Valderrama and the other venues in 2024."
Meanwhile, McDowell believes that LIV Golf's team format could provide new value for golf fans and investors alike. The Northern Irishman is currently part of captain Martin Kaymer's Cleeks team.
"I believe that the team/franchise model/LIV model, I think there is a place for it," the 43-year-old told
Golf Monthly.
"There's 48 guys that believe deeply in the idea of teams. You've got South African teams, Australian teams, American, European. We believe in the value of that and we believe there is a place in the game of golf for that right now.
"What does that look like though? There's all these puzzle pieces in the game, Majors, which is the most important, you've got the LIV Tour, PGA Tour, DP World Tour, Asian Tour, you've got all of these pieces that need to fit together in one cohesive golfing environment where the fan gets to see the biggest players in the world more often."
While there is peace at the moment, one can't help but feel more fireworks are just around the corner...
