Fitzpatrick fully focused on US Open despite merger confusion

Matt Fitzpatrick admits he is as confused as anyone about the direction golf is heading in but insists it will not affect his thinking when he begins the defence of his US Open title on Thursday.

The dust is still settling a week on from the shock announcement of the commercial merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF (Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund), which has been the backer of the breakaway LIV Golf.

On the face of it golf's bitter civil war appears to be over but under the surface there are many so-far unanswered questions and residual feelings of resentment by a large section of the two main tours' membership at how they have been treated in the whole saga.

But although several days have passed since PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan went on live network television in the United States with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan to announce the surprise deal there are very few details about how things will work, and that has led to dissent among the rank and file.

"I guess the whole thing is confusing. It was confusing last year," said the Sheffield golfer, who swerved a question about whether those players who remained loyal to the established tours should be suitably compensated for missing out on LIV's millions.

"I don't think anyone knows what's going on. Are we signing with the PIF? Are we not signing with the PIF? I have no idea.

"Even though I guess it is confusing, it's pretty clear that nobody knows what's going on apart from about four people in the world."

That will not cloud his thought process when it comes to mounting a defence of his breakthrough major title from Brookline 12 months ago.

"No, I think it's over-rated. I think you're not going to be stood on the first tee thinking 'Oh what's going on