Scottie Scheffler doubles down: "That's why I'm still playing this Tour"

Scottie Scheffler says he misses playing against all of the top players in the world but insists golfers that joined LIV should be held responsible for the divide in the men's game. 

The reigning Masters champion spoke to a group of reporters on Wednesday to preview his defence at Augusta National. 

Aside from revealing his menu for the past champions' dinner and outlining how he feels confident that he will get back to his best sooner rather than later, the 28-year-old American doubled down on his stance with LIV Golf. 

Scheffler has consistently maintained that the golfers that jumped ship did so for their own reasons and should be held responsible for the divide at the top of the elite men's game. 

"I definitely miss the competition," Scheffler said. 

"They got some pretty good players on their tour. I still think the PGA Tour has by far the best players in the world. 

"The depth of our fields and the competition that we have is still hands down the best competition that there is in the game of golf. 

"That's why I'm still playing on the Tour. I love the competition. I wish some of those guys had stayed, but at the end of the day, they made their choice. 

"They knew the consequences of that decision, and I'm not here to change their minds. I hold no ill will toward any of those guys that left."

Scheffler added: "They did what they wanted to do, and I can't control their life. 

"I'm not going to sit here and say they should have done something differently. They made their choice. 

"If we want to figure out why the game of golf is not back together, go ask those guys. 

"Go to wherever they are playing this week and figure out when the game is going to come back together."

The PGA Tour continues to discuss a deal with LIV's backers, the PIF of Saudi Arabia, but recent comments from those involved in the talks suggest negotiations have ground to a halt. 

PGA Tour boss Jay Monahan told reporters at TPC Sawgrass last week that some hurdles remain in the protracted negotiations with LIV.

But he said that intervention from American president Donald Trump had 'significantly bolstered' the talks. 

Discussions have been ongoing since June 2023.

Monahan added that there are no further meetings planned with LIV officials at the White House.

"We're doing everything we can to bring the two sides together," Monahan said.

"That said, we will not do so in a way that diminishes the strength of our platform or the very real momentum we have with our fans and partners."