Westerville’s Day doesn’t ‘blame’ those who defected to LIV
NAPLES, Fla. — Jason Day doesn’t mind golfers leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf. And he remains close with fellow Aussie Cameron Smith, the highest ranked golfer to make the jump.
But would the Westerville resident join Smith and on the tour financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund?
“I definitely would say no,” Day said. “I wouldn’t go as of now.”
But does that close the door forever? “Who knows in a year’s time, you might think differently,” he said.
Day’s name has been floated since Smith left the PGA Tour after winning The Open and became captain of the allaustralian team Punch. That ramped up speculation the remaining two most prominent Australians on the tour, Day and Adam Scott, could join Smith’s team. Punch, which also included Marc Leishman,
Matt Jones and Wade Ormsby, placed second to Dustin Johnson’s 4 Aces in the season-long team competition.
LIV’S CEO is the most famous Australian golfer of all-time, Greg Norman. And LIV has added a stop in Australia to the 2023 schedule. LIV is rebranding to the LIV Golf League in 2023 and going from eight to 14 events.
Day said he does not have a deal lined up but like many golfers is saddened by the friction between LIV and the PGA.
“I don’t blame some of the guys for going because there’s quite a lot of money these guys are earning. I understand it,” he said. “For me, it just depends on how you feel about major championships, and I know that’s all up in the air right now if they’re going to play or not, and they don’t have world ranking points out there.
“It’s disappointing there’s a divide on both sides.”