Rumoured LIV defectors Cantlay and Schauffele make big PGA Tour commitment
Rumoured LIV Golf signees Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are among the first golfers to commit to the 2023 American Express on the PGA Tour.
Rumoured LIV Golf defectors Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are among the first PGA Tour members to commit to The American Express.
Also joining Cantlay and Schauffele in the first wave of commitments include Tony Finau, Masters champion Scottie Scheffler and Sungjae Im.
We should of course point out that some players do change their mind about LIV Golf, but this is significant for Schauffele and Cantlay.
Both players were widely rumoured in 2022 to be very interested in joining Greg Norman's LIV.
Schauffele released a statement in February saying he didn't believe LIV Golf was a viable product after talks with the breakaway tour.
Even before LIV Golf had hit a tee shot, Cantlay described being "a curious observer".
Times have changed and it's fair to say LIV has definitely upset the status quo.
Related: Rory's former agent praises LIV, blasts "arrogant" PGA Tour
’s will be out in @LaQuintaCA in Januaray at @theamexgolf Scheffler, Cantlay, Schauffele, Finau, & more! @KESQ @BlakeArthur24 pic.twitter.com/jKi83BVC04
— Bailey Arredondo (@BaileyKESQ) December 7, 2022
In early November, Schauffele joined the No Laying Up podcast to talk about the rumours.
He told the podcast:
The American Express will be played over 16-22 January at PGA West. It will have a prize purse of $8m. It is not an elevated event.
In October, the PGA Tour added four additional events to the 13 previously announced 'elevated' events, all of which will have increased purse sizes and guaranteed appearances from top players.
Related: Did Lefty just confirm Billy Horschel wanted to join LIV?
The Phoenix Open, RBC Heritage, Wells Fargo Championship and Travelers Championship will have $20m prize purses in 2023.
The Players, the three FedExCup Playoff events, the three invitationals (Genesis, Bay Hill, Memorial), the WGC Match Play and the Tournament of Champions also have 'elevated' status, alongside the four majors.
Next page: Jack Nicklaus says he felt "owned" by former business partner
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