'Stronger because of it' - Jack Nicklaus feels PGA Tour will flourish after LIV Golf battle

Jack Nicklaus believes the PGA Tour will emerge stronger from its battle with LIV Golf. The Saudi-backed LIV series emerged on the scene earlier this year, disrupting the sport by wooing a host of players with massive contracts.

Ad All players who left the PGA Tour without resigning their membership have been banned from playing any events on that circuit, and a court date — which will see the departing players make their case against the PGA's decision — has been set for January 2024. GolfMcIlroy: «I hate what LIV is doing to golf»A DAY AGO 18-time major winner Nicklaus has no issue with players making the move for money, especially those who grew up outside the US system.

“I don’t have a problem with it from the standpoint of some guys, guys towards the end of their careers,” Nicklaus told Michigan Golf Live. “I look at it the way that most of the South Africans and Australians turned pro at a very early age because they did not have programmes in their country to develop them and gain loyalty.

“They did not have what we have here in junior programmes, high school programmes, college programmes, amateur programmes, secondary tours of the major tours. 'I hate it' — McIlroy rails against LIV Golf after Tour Championship win 'I was very interested' — Young turns down LIV, Matsuyama reportedly set to commit to PGA Tour “There is a loyalty that is built up with a lot of our guys here.

They did not have that, and I can see that they have an opportunity to do something for their families that they are probably not going to be able to do on the regular tour. I don’t begrudge them at all for that.” Nicklaus feels LIV is not likely to back down and walk away, but thinks the PGA Tour can continue to flourish beyond the current