PGA Tour golfer tells Rory McIlroy why he doesn't want LIV/PIF deal
PGA Tour golfer Michael Kim has responded directly to Rory McIlroy's recent claims about players not wanting to strike a deal with LIV Golf.
PGA Tour golfer Michael Kim has admitted he is one of the players that doesn't want the circuit to strike a deal with LIV's backers after Rory McIlroy outlined two key reasons that are holding back a resolution.
McIlroy, 35, offered his thoughts about what is holding up a deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi PIF before the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
As far as the Ulsterman is concerned, 50 per cent of players on LIV and the PGA Tour don't want lightning to strike.
"Everyone's looking out for themselves and their best interests," McIlroy told reporters in Surrey.
McIlroy also warned that scrutiny from the U.S. Department of Justice could also scupper a peace agreement.
PGA Tour golfer Kim shared his thoughts on X after reading McIlroy's comments.
In a lengthy post, Kim said the short answer is that he 'doesn't want a deal' but he doesn't care too much.
"Whether the Tour and LIV make a deal or not, it will not affect my bottom line," he wrote.
"It won't change my schedule in the slightest bit and won't change my earnings. This realistically only affects the top 30ish golfers on the PGA Tour and they'll probably make more money after this deal."
Kim also touched on the subject of how to reintegrate LIV golfers to the Tour.
He wrote: "How many LIV guys actually affect ratings and events? Phil, Bryson, Rahm?
"Will it increase ratings and earnings by more than 1%? Sure the first couple events would be cool but after that?
"I might be totally wrong but that’s my opinion. What'll make a much bigger difference is how to make the TV product much better."
Kim also wrote that he thinks there should be consequences for the players who left the PGA Tour and sued.
He was referring to Phil Mickelson, Ian Poulter, Talor Gooch, Hudson Swafford, Matt Jones, Bryson DeChambeau, Abraham Ancer, Carlos Ortiz, Pat Perez, Jason Kokrak and Peter Uihlein.
Read his full post here:
What did Rory McIlroy say?
Asked what is holding back an agreement, McIlroy said: "I'd say maybe half the players on LIV want the deal to get done; half probably don't
"I'd say it's probably similar on the PGA Tour. Everyone's looking out for themselves and their best interests.
"It would benefit some people for a deal not to get done, but it would obviously benefit some people for a deal to get done.
"When you have a members-run organization, it complicates things a little bit, especially when players are having to make decisions on the business side of things.
"The tours want it to happen. The investors certainly want it to happen because they can see the benefit for themselves."
