Xander Schauffele confirmed that he will remain on the PGA Tour after meeting with Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan.
The 28-year-old, a five-time winner of the PGA Tour, was a guest on Zach Gelb Show On CBS Sports Radio, where he gave his reaction to the latest players who joined LIV Golf, while revealing his continued rejection of the initiatives of the Saudi-backed series.
On the show, Gelb openly asked Schauffele if he’s staying on the PGA Tour. He replied, “Yes, I’m here.” “I met Jay, we had a meeting today. I met Jay myself yesterday and now see myself trying to find a way to keep guys on the tour in exchange for being one on bail.
“I’m very happy with what’s going on in the Tour most of the time and I feel like there’s enough here. I know we’re competing against a huge amount of money that never ends, you can hit a million times but there’s still a swing on this board so it’s hard to be up against. But I feel there is enough of this tour and enough talent to make it the best in the world and keep it the best.
“I’m not the first to sit here and lie to someone, the numbers being thrown are very obnoxious. There are some numbers that even my fans, if they look at and sit on them, will tell me I’m an idiot for not going, but now, I’m 28, I want to win major tournaments, I want to win the PGA Tour events, and I really think we can make that product on the PGA Tour, it was the best and now there’s competition, and we can keep it at the best with the talent we have, we’re just so kind to the need to unite and keep it together.
“So for any of my fans, words are words, actions speak louder than words, and now my actions are to stay on the Tour and you’ll see me here competing in the PGA Tour.”
Since the US Open last week, more players have jumped to LIV Golf, including Brooks Koepka, who joins his brother Chase at LIV Golf, and Abraham Ancer. When asked about Koepka’s departure, Shaveli expressed his sadness at not facing the four-time winner again, although he noted that his removal removes some stiff competition.
“It’s a big problem,” Shaveli said of the news of Kupka’s departure. I don’t hold it against anyone who leaves. Subjectively, it’s good, it’s competitive, it’s good because he’s a four-time main champ, when he gives his best, The Better.
“He was number one in the world and carried that when he was there. I love the competition. People have their reasons to go and I think I don’t consider it against them. I am sad that I am no longer playing against him at the moment.”
Scotty Sheffler and Rory McIlroy have both expressed surprise at Koepka’s decision to withdraw from the PGA Tour for LIV Golf, joining the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed.
The second LIV Golf event, which kicks off at Pumpkin Ridge in Portland, Oregon on June 30, will once again be a 54-hole no-cut competition combining individual and team formats for a $25 million portfolio. The field has already been announced, although there are still three spaces on the 48-man roster to fill.