LIV Golf's Thomas Pieters: Angry PGA Tour tweet "NOTHING" to do with $10m deal

New LIV Golf signing Thomas Pieters has insisted his angry tweet over not being asked to play the PGA Tour's Genesis Invitational hosted by Tiger Woods had nothing to do with his decision to join the breakaway tour. 

Speaking to Golf Digest's Evin Priest on the eve of the second LIV Golf campaign, the 31-year-old Belgian said it was Hudson Swafford's injury that prompted a last-minute offer. 

Swafford confirmed earlier in the week that to fix a persistent hip injury he needed to go under the knife, meaning he's likely out for six months. 

Pieters has joined Bubba Watson's RangeGoats GC side. 

He told Priest:

Sad to miss my favorite tournament of the year. Because well as #34 in world, I just couldn’t get in @PGATOUR. #GenesisInvitational

— Thomas Pieters (@Thomas_Pieters) February 15, 2023

Asked about the message he posted about not being invited to Riviera, Pieters said he was chatting about the elevated event with his pals. 

He became angry and sent the message. It was just a case of bad timing, he said. 

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Pieters is said to have signed a $10m contract with LIV, according to The Telegraph's Jamie Corrigan. 

His decision means that he might not be able to participate in the Ryder Cup.

Given that the Belgian has had a resurgence in form over the last 18 months, it's not unreasonable to suggest he would have likely commanded a berth in Luke Donald's European side. 

We won't know European LIV players' Ryder Cup fate until we learn the outcome of the DP World Tour v. LIV Golf hearing. 

Pieters added: 

Pieters previously expressed unhappiness playing on the PGA Tour full time. 

He said the LIV schedule works better for him. 

Next page: Ernie Els condemns South African LIV players