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With the US Open teeing off Thursday, United States Golf Association (USGA) CEO Mike Whan explained why he decided to allow LIV Golf competitors to play in the third major of the year.
LIV Golf contenders ruffled the PGA Tour’s feathers by breaking out of organization to play in the Saudi-backed league and their return to the Major has come under scrutiny.
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USGA CEO Mike Whan addresses the media at a press conference during a practice round prior to the 122nd US Open Championship at The Country Club June 15, 2022 in Brookline, Massachusetts. (Rob Carr/Getty Images)
“Whether we all like it or not, in February 30 guys played for the same promoter in Saudi Arabia with an acceptable exit from the PGA Tour and for years the DP World Tour has had an event there, same promoter,” Whan said Wednesday, via Golf.com. “We also had to ask ourselves the question, if you put that kind of clause in, who’s coming in, we’ve got to go back to 9,300 people and played last week but who ever played where, sponsored by. It’s going to be a pretty slippery slope when you try to apply that to 9,300 people.”
The USGA was put in a difficult position over whether to disqualify players who had already qualified after jumping for LIV Golf at the last minute. Ultimately, Whan said he didn’t think players were disqualified from the US Open.
As for the future, Whan said those golfers could find it harder to get in.
Dustin Johnson hits the seventh hole during a practice round for the US Open golf tournament at The Country Club on Wednesday June 15, 2022 in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Robert F Bukaty)
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“It would be a lot of hypotheses for me to know what LIV will be when we talk about it next year, but as we would do every year, we will definitely be re-evaluating the field criteria. We would every year,” he said. “We’ll see what the landscape looks like.”
When asked if LIV golfers could be banned from the US Open in the future, Whan simply replied “yes”.
Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Charl Schwarzel and Bryson DeChambeau all take part in the tournament.
Phil Mickelson watches his shot on the 15th hole during a practice round for the US Open golf tournament at The Country Club on Wednesday June 15, 2022 in Brookline, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
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Mickelson has never won the US Open – the only major tournament missing from his trophy case. DeChambeau won the 2020 US Open, Johnson won it in 2016, and Reed’s best finish at the Open was fourth place.
Ryan Gaydos is a sports editor at Fox News and Fox Business. Story tips can be sent to [email protected].