Legends urge for ‘forgiveness’ as golf’s civil war rumbles on (but they don’t see it happening)
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In their annual Honorary Starters press conference at The Masters, Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player, and Tom Watson all voiced doubts about the two rival tours’ ability to reach an agreement to bring the world’s best players back together.
It seems odd that in a week when the world’s best golfers from the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf reunite, the game’s divide remains at the forefront of the conversation. But the fact The Masters marks the first time the likes of Brooks Koepka, Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau have all been in the same field as Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and Xander Schauffele since the latter lifted the Open Championship at Royal Troon last July makes it more prominent than ever. As it stands, with an agreement to bring the world’s best players back together on a more regular basis remains a dot in the distance, the four Majors remain the only time we’ll see the stars going head-to-head in 2025.
It’s almost two years since PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan and Saudi Public Investment Fund Governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan sat side-by-side on television to shock the world with the strategic framework agreement to bring the game back together, but several rounds of talks and, with the majority of the game’s stars calling for unity, the powers remain firmly divided… even if President Donald Trump tries to convince us otherwise.
On Wednesday, shortly after getting the 89th Masters underway with their traditional Honorary Starter tee shots, Nicklaus, Watson and Player added their substantial voices to the call for unity but admitted little confidence a deal will be done.
“I don’t see a real working mechanism for the two tours to get back together,” Watson said.
“The one thing I do know is that Scottie Scheffler in his speech at the champions dinner on Tuesday night said, I’m glad we’re all together again. So, the players would like to get together. But it’s really up to the powers that be to see if there’s a framework in which the two tours can cooperate. I don’t see that framework happening.”
Player also called for an end to the conflict and urged “forgiveness”.
“All I can say is that they’ve (LIV players) chosen to do that, and that’s their choice,” the South African, who won three Green Jackets, said. “We’re lucky we still have freedom of choice. And that’s their tour, and we have our tour. It would be wonderful if they could get together. Whether they will or not, time will tell. But it would be ideal if everybody could get together again.”
Jack Nicklaus, who won the Masters six times, believes LIV’s arrival has strengthened the PGA Tour.
“The players now own a piece of what’s going on. I think their plan of bringing along elevated events and their plan of bringing young players along in the other tournaments has been very successful,” the Golden Bear said. “We’re making new stars for the game. Would I love to see them all come together? Sure, I think we all would. But I think the PGA Tour is the Tour, and that’s where most of your good players are. It’s very healthy no matter which way it goes, but obviously we’d all like to see everybody together.”
The legends’ comments came less than 24 hours after Masters Chairman Fred Ridley urged the game to unify, having revealed he would not follow the R&A and USGA in creating a direct pathway into the Major for LIV players.
“I think we all agree that four times a year is not enough to have the great players of the game together.”
LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neill is on site at Augusta having received an invite, with Monahan also expected to visit, but there are no plans for talks this week.
While Nicklaus would like to see the game reunite, he couldn’t resist a subtle dig at LIV star Phil Mickelson, who will bid for a fourth Masters win this week.
“I don’t know what level Phil is competing at. I guess he’s still playing. He’s playing the LIV Tour, is he? I don’t know if he’s playing or not. I don’t know, you never see that anymore,” the 18-time Major champion said.
The divide in golf doesn’t stop at the Tours, with players’ relationships with the media coming under the spotlight recently. Collin Morikawa has been particularly vocal, saying, “I don’t owe you anything,” after criticism for not facing reporters after missing out on a win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.
The American, who heads into Augusta as one of the favorites, doubled down on those comments at The Players Championship and reiterated the stance earlier this week with Rory McIlroy backing him.
“Look, every other athlete, whether it be in the NBA, NFL, they’re obligated to speak to you guys after a game. We’re not,” McIlroy said. “Whether that’s something that the PGA Tour looks to in terms of putting that into the rules and regulations, but as long as that’s not the case, and we have that option to opt-out whenever we want, expect guys to do that from time to time.”
That’s not a stance Nicklaus, Watson and Player agree with.
“I’ve had a great relationship with the press. I think that you all have a job to do, and I think that you need access to us, and I think that as long as you’re respectful to what we’re doing, I think we have an obligation to be able to answer your questions and do what needs to be,” Nicklaus said.
Player doesn’t believe he’s always been treated fairly by the media but accepts that “as part of the game”.
“Nobody likes to have a bad round, but that’s part of life, ups and downs, and you should have to come to the press and answer questions. I’ve seen a lot of things written that are not true and not fair, but that’s also part of the game, the good and bad of life.”
Watson recalled keeping the press waiting after a poor round while he headed to the range but said he would never reject requests to talk.
“There’s a responsibility – I always liked what Jack had to say. He said, you have a job to do, and it’s our responsibility to help you with your job. That’s the way I feel about it,” he smiled.
And based on this morning’s entertaining press conference, long may they continue to feel that way.
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Jack Nicklaus and the Masters Honarary Starters have called for the PGA Tour and LIV Golf to reunite.
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Masters chairman Fred Ridley and the Honorary Starters.
