Xander Schauffele admitted he did hold talks with representatives of LIV Golf, as the recently-crowned U.S. PGA champion reignited his frustrations with PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
Schauffele's name has been at the centre of the PGA Tour-LIV Golf tug of war over the last two years, but has opted to remain loyal to the American-based circuit. The world No. 2 has announced himself as one of the sport's biggest names in recent years, having not been outside of the top-15 in the world since 2018.
The one thing missing from the Olympic champion's CV though was a major title, and he was finally able to tick this off at Valhalla last month after pipping Bryson DeChambeau to the PGA Championship crown.
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In the aftermath Schauffele's dad revealed that there was 'no chance' the American would make the Saudi switch to the LIV setup, and now the American himself has addressed his links to the rival league. “It’s funny, my friends used to send me screenshots of me as the favourite to join LIV," he told The Times.
"The odds were solely based on me not commenting much, but actions speak louder than words. I’ve shown up to play PGA Tour events week in, week out. I love my job, this is where I’m at, and I don’t really see myself going anywhere else. I had to at least sit down and listen to what was being offered.
"But once I realised it wasn’t really going to fit in with how I envisioned my career, it just fizzled out.” Whilst he has pledged his allegiances to the PGA Tour, Schauffele has not been afraid to share his frustrations with those in charge, especially the circuit's commissioner, Monahan.
Xander Schauffele won the PGA Championship last month (Getty Images)Monahan had initially attempted to cut out the LIV league from the top of professional golf, but after the breakaway circuit continued to build momentum, the commissioner was forced into a complete u-turn. Last June, Monahan left the sport in shock after announcing a framework agreement with LIV's backers, the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
The decision was questioned by many players on the PGA Tour, including Schauffele, and his stance has not changed. “What I can say is that throughout all of this turmoil, what’s probably bothered me the most — now more than ever — is that we need someone to lead us, we need a leader," he commented.
"I’ve criticised Jay in the past, but the fact is not once has our commander-in-chief stood up for all of us players and said, ‘This is happening, this is where we’re going,’ and protected us, basically. He didn’t take a stand when anyone left, he didn’t come out to the public and face the music, none of that.
"Obviously, there were reasons [Monahan took a medical leave of absence in the immediate aftermath of the announcement], but historically in tough situations you need a strong leader who can make the big waves smaller and make us feel better about what we’re doing. Right now, we don’t have that."
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