07 March 2024 , 08:00
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Justin Thomas has admitted the relationship between PGA Tour and LIV Golf players was "weird" at the height of the rivalry between the competing tours.
Thomas addressed the situation in the second series of Netflix documentary Full Swing, with camera crews given behind-the-scenes access to several of the PGA Tour's top stars throughout the 2023 season.
In the first episode of the new series, which was released on Wednesday, two-time major champion Thomas was asked about his relationship with the former PGA Tour stars who defected to LIV Golf when it launched in 2022.
The 30-year-old, ranked 23 in the Official World Golf Ranking, admitted there was friction between the rival tours' players and he was happy to keep his distance from LIV members.
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“The relationship between Tour guys and LIV guys is weird," Thomas said. "It has got a little chipper and chipper. There are plenty of guys that have gone to that tour that I didn’t talk to before and I still have no desire to talk to. It's not because of that decision, it just may help with it a little bit.”
The world of golf has changed dramatically since Thomas' interview was recorded, with the PGA Tour and LIV's backers, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF), entering into a framework agreement to merge and work together.
Thomas says the PGA Tour-LIV Golf divide created a 'weird' dynamic between players (Getty Images)The framework agreement was announced in June, and although talks continue to drag on and a deal is yet to be agreed, the tensions between the competing tours has softened, particularly from the players.
LIV's formation in 2022 was a tumultuous time in the sport, with players on both sides of the divide throwing barbs back and forth. Phil Mickelson was among the more vocal LIV signees who fired parting shots at the PGA Tour on the way out, angering his former colleagues.
And there was bitterness from the other side, too, with Rory McIlroy becoming the PGA Tour's de facto spokesman, slamming LIV Golf and its effect on the game with regularity.
But the June announcement dramatically changed the rhetoric, with players on both sides coming to the realisation that negotiations and decisions were taking place at an executive level beyond their control. McIlroy, in particular, has dramatically changed his position, not only accepting that fighting LIV's existence is futile but also suggesting LIV players who defected from the PGA Tour should be welcomed back without penalty.
LIV stars Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka also feature in the second series of Full Swing, with the latter being the only LIV player on either side to compete in the Ryder Cup in October. Reigning PGA Championship winner Koepka appeared to be welcomed into Zach Johnson's team with open arms following a hugely successful season, emphasising the softening of stances on both sides of the argument.