Golf greats Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson believe LIV Golf-PGA peace deal may never happen
Golf war’s civil war may never end, according to two of the greatest to ever play the sport – with LIV defector Phil Mickelson catching stray barbs from one legend.
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Golfing greats Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson say they doubt a peace deal will ever be struck between the PGA Tour and breakaway LIV league.
Honorary starters at the Masters, the duo believe there are too many obstacles in the way for a reunification of the game to take place.
“They (the LIV players) made their choice to play their own tour, and that’s where they are right now,” Watson said after the ceremonial opening tee shots at Augusta National.
“I don’t see a real working mechanism for the two tours to get back together. I think that’s one of the reasons you haven’t seen an agreement since June two years ago.”
Nicklaus even seemed to mock LIV defector Phil Mickelson when asked about the three-time Masters champion’s form.
For the first time, the only place to watch the Masters live is Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports and Foxtel.
“I don’t know what level Phil is competing at. I guess he’s still playing. He’s playing the LIV Tour, is he? I don’t know if he’s playing or not. I don’t know, you never see that anymore,” Nicklaus said.
“The PGA Tour is doing fine. I think they’ve changed their structure. The players now own a piece of what’s going on. I think their plan of bringing along with their elevated events and their plan of bringing young players along in the other tournaments has been very successful. “We’re making new stars for the game.
“Would I love to see them all come together? Sure, I think we all would. But I think the PGA Tour is the tour, and that’s where most of your good players are, and I think it’s very healthy no matter which way it goes, but obviously we’d all like to see everybody together.”
Just 12 LIV players are competing at the Masters, including seven past champions with life-time exemptions.
Originally published as Golf greats Jack Nicklaus and Tom Watson believe LIV Golf-PGA peace deal may never happen
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