Trump says that LIV tour creates `gold rush' for players

Former President Donald Trump played another round at his home course Thursday, this one different from so many others. He was part of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf Invitational pro-am, put on by a breakaway league he says is creating a “gold rush” for players.

The third LIV Golf event, which starts today at Trump National Bedminster in New Jersey, added four new players to the 48-man field that illustrated how the disruption goes beyond the PGA Tour.

Henrik Stenson of Sweden is among the newcomers. By adding Stenson — the other three were Paul Casey, Charles Howell III and Jason Kokrak — LIV Golf now has 12 former major champions on its roster, though only five among the top 50 in the world ranking.

“You have really the best players in the world, many of the best players, and soon you'll probably have all of them,” said Trump, who played in the pro-am with Dustin Johnson and Bryson DeChambeau, along with his son Eric.

Backed by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, LIV Golf has been awarding massive money — various reports put total signing fees at around $1 billion so far. The PGA Tour has suspended players who join for violating regulations that require a release to play overseas. It does not grant releases for tournaments held in North America.

“What they are doing for golf is so great, what they are doing for players is so great,” Trump said. “Their salaries are going to go way up. The PGA was not loved by a lot of the players, as you know, for a long time. Now they have an alternative and nobody would have ever known there was going to be a gold rush like this.”

PGA Tour

Tony Finau, coming off his third career victory on the PGA Tour, and Taylor Pendrith shared the firstround lead at 8-under 64 in the Rocket Mortgage Classic in Detroit.

Former U.S. Open champion Webb Simpson, Michael Thompson, Cameron Champ, Lee Hodges and Matt Wallace were two shots back.

LPGA Tour

LPGA Tour rookie HyeJin Choi shot an 8-under 64 to take a one-shot lead at the Scottish Open on a day of low scoring on the Dundonald Links course. Choi had seven birdies, one eagle and a bogey to tie her career-low round on the LPGA Tour.

Three players were tied for second with opening 65s. Lydia Ko went bogeyfree for the 11th time this season. Celine Boutier and Lilia Vu also shot 65.