LEAKED: PGA Tour pro text reveals "no way players will be ok" with LIV merger!
Not even Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy knew about the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf merger!
PGA Tour pro Sahith Theegala has revealed in a leaked text message there is "no way players are gonna be okay" with the decision to merge with LIV Golf given none of his fellow players were even consulted about the decision.
It has emerged via Golf Channel's Todd Lewis this evening how not even Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy knew about the shock merger between PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf until it was revealed earlier today.
The PGA Tour is supposed to be a player-run Tour, remember?
NEW: GREG NORMAN TO BE FORCED OUT OF LIV GOLF MERGER WITH PGA TOUR
Lewis also confirmed how several PGA Tour players who remained loyal having been offered chunky contracts to join LIV Golf previously are now said to "feel betrayed and manipulated".
This was such a secretive deal made that @PGATOUR players found out just today including @McIlroyRory who sits on the Tour Policy Board.
— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) June 6, 2023
Spoke with several @PGATOUR players who were a part of a meeting in Delaware that ultimately reshaped the Tour schedule. Most of those players were offered @livgolf_league money but turned it down to be loyal to the Tour. Those players told me they feel betrayed and manipulated.
— Todd Lewis (@ToddLewisGC) June 6, 2023
But back to Theegala's text message, which was posted on social media via SI Golf's Gabby Herzig tonight, and it says a lot about how the world's best players on the PGA Tour are feeling right now.
Reaction from Sahith Theegala. Players just in absolute shock. pic.twitter.com/E8rCLvOtCi
— Gabby Herzig (@GabbyHerzig) June 6, 2023
Theegala is ranked 27th in the world.
Related: "Disgusted" PGA Tour pro vents "they told us nothing"
How do you feel about the LIV Golf, PGA Tour, DP World Tour merger?!
— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 6, 2023
Related: DP World Tour pro texts his reaction to GolfMagic
Theegala's text message read:
Brandel Chamblee has spoken!
... and he's not happy! #PGATour #LIVGolf
WATCH HERE https://t.co/rsXVsZ7APN pic.twitter.com/OfbWMvl3K1— GolfMagic (@GolfMagic) June 6, 2023
News has also filtered through tonight from Sports Illustrated's Bob Harig that LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman "likely won't be involved" in the new PGA Tour, LIV Golf merger.
Greg Norman was blindsided. @BobHarig with the scoop:https://t.co/iNVoWyihXc
— SI Golf (@SI_Golf) June 6, 2023
Barstool Sports' Dan Rapaport tweeted he spoke to one PGA Tour player today about how commissioner Jay Monahan can survive this merger himself. "He won't," replied the PGA Tour pro. "He can't."
Asked a bunch of PGA Tour players: How will Jay Monahan survive this?
From one just now: "He won't. He can't."— Dan Rapaport (@Daniel_Rapaport) June 6, 2023
Herzig also spoke to Paul Tesori, caddie of PGA Tour star Cameron Young, who was heavily linked with a move to LIV Golf last season only to remain faithful to the American circuit.
Tesori, who has also caddied for major champions Webb Simpson and Vijay Singh, admits today marks the "biggest news in my career on Tour".
Young was notably “very interested” in discussions with LIV back in August.
— Gabby Herzig (@GabbyHerzig) June 6, 2023
"I'm surprised, shocked and even confused as are every player and caddie I've talked to," said Tesori.
"What all about the men who turned down 10s of millions of dollars to stay and support the tour. What about the moral arguments? Obviously, a lot of details have to be ironed out. It's the biggest news in my career on Tour."
What have you made of the the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and LIV Golf merger? Are you shocked? Share your thoughts and comments over on the GolfMagic social media channels.
Andy first joined the brand on a month's work experience back in April 2011, and he now assumes the Editor role. When Andy joined GolfMagic it was a small site with potential.
