Golfers I Cannot Believe Aren't on LIV
Did they not get an offer? Do they have moral fiber? Who can say?
A few weeks ago, I watched Justin Rose win the AT&T Pebble Beach Open, and my first thought was, “Huh…I guess he’s NOT going to LIV.” Because Justin Rose seems absolutely to fit the profile of so many others on that renegade tour.
Until this win, it had been since 2019 since he’d won on tour. He’s in his early 40’s, so he’s unlikely to suddenly roar back into dominating, and he already has a major win. It’s also worth pointing out that non-American golfers seemed to have less issues (or at least less public relations blowback) to joining LIV, so as a British golfer that also fits the profile. To his credit, access to the majors and the Ryder Cup was apparently the factor as LIV has made an offer to “Team Rose.”
“Access to the major championships was a large part of my decision,” he said. "Obviously playing in events like this that have a great history, that give access to an iconic course, that really counts… winning events that matter.
"But first and foremost it’s playing in majors. I have won one, but that’s where my childhood dreams lay and that’s what is really, really important to me going forward.”
On the other hand, maybe LIV hasn’t quite offered enough?
Here are the other golfers I am surprised haven’t jumped over to LIV as of the writing of this article.
Patrick Cantlay. Cantlay would be the biggest get since Cam Smith, as Cantlay is a perennial top-10 golfer (he’s currently 5th). He never shows up in the majors, but also has reportedly been frustrated that he’s not recognized more as an elite golfer. He was quiet for a very long time about LIV, and finally said that he’s not “currently” interested in it, but that the pros of it would be the money and playing less golf. (Add in the fact that his expression above is consistently how he looks on course, and it’s a SHOCK he’s hard to root for.) I’ve heard rumors that he and buddy Xander Schauffele would be a package deal, but I have a much harder time thinking Xander would go. For one, Xander has a real chance in majors. For another, though he’s not vocal about it, it seems clear he’s a lot more progressive than other golfers - his wife, for example, is a director at Planned Parenthood. Is that the kind of golfer who’d want to get in bed with the guys who execute people for being gay? I don’t think so.
Adam Scott. Again, we are looking at a non-American, major winner in his 40’s. Indeed, Scott has said it’s appealing, especially for events held closer to his home in Switzerland. He’s clearly marketable, and doesn’t think of LIV as being “evil” like others do - but so far, he hasn’t taken the plunge. Perhaps he’s one of those guys who already knows he has generational wealth, and doesn’t need to take a chance this late in his career. (Plus, there’d be the concern that any desert tournaments would cause him to disappear in his all tan outfits.)
Tyrrell Hatton. I’m not sure why I think the angry Brit would go over to LIV, but he’s only won once on the PGA Tour, but is talented enough to be ranked 24th overall worldwide. He’s won over $14,000,000 on the PGA Tour and almost €20,000,000 on the DP World Tour. He’s financially secure, but what if LIV offered him $50,000,000 to join up? I wonder. He’s not exactly non-competitive in majors but hasn’t really been in the mix. I’d guess he thinks he has a real chance, and should be a mainstay on the Ryder Cup team for years, so kudos if that’s what is keeping him on board.
Adam Hadwin. I’ll be honest, when I saw that he was in contention in Phoenix this week, I thought, “Wait, didn’t he go to LIV?” It turns out there’s been absolutely no buzz about him leaving, it’s not clear that he got an offer, and I don’t know why I just thought he was gone. Have I somehow mixed up the Mexican golfer Abe Ancer with Canadian Adam Hadwin? I might have. I just might have. On the other hand, Hadwin’s countryman Corey Conners would be a pretty good swipe by LIV.
James Hahn. Not because LIV wants him, but god, he seems SO thirsty for LIV. He’s continually been toeing the line of LIV even if he’s not a part of it. He’s the very definition of the imbalance on the PGA Tour that rewards mediocre professional golfers more than they should, and doesn’t reward the top echelon enough, but that doesn’t seem to bother Hahn. This interview with Alan Shipnuck is low key hilarious, both for suggesting LIV could change the Saudi Arabian human rights policies, but also that DUSTIN JOHNSON might be the one to start those conversations. (I’m just guessing he wanted to say “James Hahn” but knows he’s not on that tour yet. Also, referring to MBS as “His Excellency” is just …. that ain’t good.)
There are other golfers who are well past their prime like Matt Kuchar (never shy about liking money), Jason Day and Rickie Fowler who both seem to be finding their swing again (and the tour will THRIVE if they are both back in any real way) or Gary Woodland, who again just doesn’t seem competitive any more.
I’ve probably missed a few. Who did you expect to sign with LIV who hasn’t quite yet?