Brooks Koepka will join series with Saudi support; Koepka has removed all references to the PGA Tour from its social media; Koepka will play in the second LIV event next week; Collin Morikawa says he’s “here to stay” on the PGA Tour; U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick is “not worried” about deserters
By Jamie Weir
Last updated: 6/21/22 5:38 PM
Brooks Koepka is the latest high profile player to join the LIV Golf series
Brooks Koepka will leave the PGA Tour and join the LIV Golf Invitational series, backed by Saudi Arabia.
Sky Sports News understands that the four-time big winner, who has removed all references to the PGA Tour from his social media profiles, will do so at the second event in Portland next week.
The 32-year-old will become the last big name to join the controversial series, after Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Phil Mickelson, but the world number 4, Collin Morikawa, has denied that it is said to be the next to follow in his footsteps.
The double winner and defending champion of the Open, tweeted on Tuesday: “To put it bluntly, once again, you are all absolutely wrong. Since February in Riviera I say that I am here to stay in the season. @ PGATOUR and nothing has changed. “
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Newly crowned U.S. Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick has also reiterated his commitment to the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, saying he was “not really worried” about the current list of defectors.
“I think whenever you have Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, I’ve seen Collin Morikawa come out and make a statement today, Scottie Scheffler, I feel like you have great players there,” Fitzpatrick said.
“For me, they are more than good enough to compete with any rival tour that wants to try their hand at golf. I don’t really care.
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Matt Fitzpatrick lost his words after claiming his first major title with a sensational victory at the US Open.
Matt Fitzpatrick lost his words after claiming his first major title with a sensational victory at the US Open.
“I know the PGA Tour is not going anywhere, the DP World Tour is not going anywhere and I think the important thing for me is that I have a place to play and this is where I want to play.
“I don’t think the Tour is going anywhere and as long as they have the support of Tiger Woods and the support of Rory Justin Thomas, there will be no problems in my opinion.”
Koepka was asked about the desert before the U.S. Open last week and gave an irritable answer about why he looked like he had decided to stay on the PGA Tour. He said, “There was no other option so far, so where else are you going?”
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Brooks Koepka was frustrated by the line of questioning he faced during his U.S. Open press conference, saying journalists are “throwing a dark cloud” over the competition.
Brooks Koepka was frustrated by the line of questioning he faced during his U.S. Open press conference, saying journalists are “throwing a dark cloud” over the competition.
When the reporter pointed out that the LIV events had begun, Koepka added, “As of last week. That’s all. I didn’t play last week.”
He added: “I’m here. I’m here at the US Open. I’m ready to play in the US Open and I think it’s a bit of shit too. You’re all throwing this black cloud over the US Open. United is one of my favorite events, I don’t know why you keep doing this.
“The more legs you give him, the more people talk about it.”
Sky Sports News understands that world number 20 Abraham Ancer of Mexico will also join the LIV series.
Abraham Ancer looks set to be the next golfer to join the LIV Golf series
Earlier this month it was announced that any player participating in the LIV series would be suspended indefinitely from the PGA Tour.
Commissioner Jay Monahan sent a letter confirming that it was sent to members of the PGA Tour shortly after the opening LIV Golf Tournament began at the Centurion Club in Hertfordshire on 9 June.
The total prize pool for the initial eight LIV events is £ 200 million, and Charl Schwartzel won £ 3.86 million when she won the inaugural 54-hole competition at the Centurion Club, almost three times the figure she claimed for his great success at the Masters in 2011..
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After Charl Schwartzel demanded the inaugural opening of the LIV Tour, the debate continues over whether the number of PGA Tour deserts will start to grow.
After Charl Schwartzel demanded the inaugural opening of the LIV Tour, the debate continues over whether the number of PGA Tour deserts will start to grow.
Schwartzel and runner-up Henni Du Plessis were part of Stinger GC, which won the team competition alongside Branden Grace and Louis Oosthuizen, with the quartet winning an additional $ 750,000 from the team’s first prize of $ 3 million. of dollars.
The LIV Golf controversy: explained
LIV Golf Series players have been reiterated at press conferences about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and whether they compete in the league for monetary reasons only.
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Paul McGinley used Mo Salah and the Premier League to explain how the LIV Golf Series is different from the structure and organization of the PGA and DP World circuits.
Paul McGinley used Mo Salah and the Premier League to explain how the LIV Golf Series is different from the structure and organization of the PGA and DP World circuits.
The separate series is backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) – the owners of Newcastle United – and involves large sums of money for competitors.
No official golf world ranking points are awarded for LIV events, although CEO Greg Norman says a request will be made for that to change.
The opening ceremony took place at the Centurion Club last week, with former major winners Dustin Johnson and Phi Mickelson among the 48-man field, while seven more tournaments have been scheduled for the coming months.
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There was a mixed reaction to the LIV Golf Series by fans at the U.S. Open in Brookline.
There was a mixed reaction to the LIV Golf Series by fans at the U.S. Open in Brookline.
Pumpkin Ridge GC in Portland from June 30 to July 2 and Trump National Golf Club Bedminster from July 29 to 31 are the next two venues, with more U.S.-based tournaments taking place in Boston from July 2. on Sept. 4 and Chicago on Sept. 16. 18.
Bangkok’s Stonehill Golf Club is home to October 7-9 and the Royal Greens Golf Club, the site of Saudi International in recent years, is hosting the following week’s end-of-season Team Championship. at Trump National Doral Miami starting in October. 27-30.
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