Rickie Fowler makes decision on LIV Golf thanks to Woods and Cantlay influence
Rickie Fowler has confirmed he will not be joining LIV Golf any time soon, lauding the efforts of the likes of Tiger Woods and Patrick Cantlay on the PGA Tour.
Fowler's name has been one linked with the LIV setup, but the American has squashed any chance of making the Saudi switch. After the mega-money move on Jon Rahm last month, it was thought that Greg Norman and his backerss were set to lure in a group of other Tour players to join the Spaniard.
But if there is to be anyone following in the footsteps of the Masters champion in the coming weeks, Tour stalwart Fowler told Golfweek that there is 'zero chance' of him being a part of any parting group.
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The world of professional golf currently finds itself in a state of limbo, with the PGA Tour continuing their framework agreement negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), where an eventual deal will see them work in unison with the LIV setup.
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After announcing the initial agreement in June 2023, those negotiating missed their December 31 deadline to sign off the deal last month. The Tour informed its players that it was continuing its discussions with the Saudi fund, as well as U.S.-based investor Strategic Sports Group (SSG).
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Rickie Fowler pledged his loyalties to the PGA Tour (Getty Images)Since the shock merger plans were announced last summer, the circuit's players have been given more power over the outcome of a deal, with the PGA Tour's six player directors all involved in the ongoing dealings. And after witnessing the work away from the course from some of his fellow peers, he believes he has made the right decision in staying loyal to the Tour.
"Seeing how much work the guys on the [PGA Tour] board, especially being around [Patrick] Cantlay during the off-season a little bit and leading up to [The Sentry], I’ve never seen a person be on the phone so much." he added. "These guys are pouring a lot of time and effort into it.
"I was on the PAC [Player Advisory Council] last year but have tried to stay out of the way because the guys that are in there, I trust. With Jordan, Cantlay, Tiger and the other guys, I’ve just trusted that we’re all going to end up in a good spot and I have zero plans to go anywhere.”
Fowler opted to highlight the efforts of Cantlay, a man who has not been too far from controversy in recent months. With pressure growing on the amid the ongoing negotiations, it was widely reported that Cantlay was 'taking control' of the PGA Tour's Policy Board, with a Telegraph report claiming the American was 'to blame' for the loss of Rahm to the LIV setup.
Cantlay however has played down his influence, telling Golf.com this month: "I just don’t think you can trust everything you read on the internet. I think if you just look at the facts that are out there, it would be impossible for any one player to take control.
"I mean, it would be impossible for all the players together to take control; we only have half the seats on the board, and any major vote around any of the things we’ve been talking about requires a two-thirds majority."
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