At the media day of The American Express PGA Tour in La Quinta (California), it was December and Brendan Steele was sharing some thoughts on the LIV Golf League.
Steele told a group of journalists and officials that “for me, I’m okay if guys want it,” via telephone. They just need to make the right decision. Don’t expect to return and play on our tour.
The 39-year old Steele, a three time winner on the PGA Tour has made the decision to make it for himself ten weeks later. ESPN reported Saturday that Steele was among three golfers — , Thomas Pieters, and Danny Lee — who made the jump from the PGA Tour into LIV just in time to play in LIV’s season opening event in Mexico.
Steele’s transformation from a dedicated PGA Tour player to a recruit for the LIV tour in less than two months is a testament to how insane professional golf has become. It is easy to believe that Steele made the decision because LIV offered Steele a job. However, the fact that Steele went from not interested in joining LIV and then joined LIV suggests that there may have been more to it than a dollar figure.
Steele was invited to the La Quinta event that day because he grew-up in Idyllwild. Also, Hudson Swafford, the American Express champion, was suspended from the PGA Tour after he joined the LIV tour. Steele spoke about how The American Express was his home event and how important it was for him. Steele will not be playing in La Quinta 2024 if he makes the LIV leap.
Steele didn’t condemn those who quit the PGA Tour at the time. However, he did discuss his reasons for remaining on the PGA Tour. He has won just over $20million, including $350 609 this season.
Steele stated bluntly that he had not been approached. It has worked most effectively when guys approach them and tell them that they are interested. It isn’t something I am interested in. It has not been a problem for my. It’s not something I hold against men for doing.
Understanding others’ moves
Steele didn’t really hammer those who went to the LIV Golf League but he admitted that the Saudi Arabian-backed tour was causing problems in professional golf.
I think there are guys with different perspectives on it. Steele stated that there are some guys who are happy to travel and not try to return to the tour. But there are other guys who are very upset about this. It caused a split in the tour, and it also divided some of the most respected players in the world. There are many opinions on how big the issue is and how upset people feel.
Steele spoke at the media conference about his plans to win the tour in 2022-23, to try to get into Tour Championship, and to hope to be able to enter the major championships. Steele also spoke about being a father, and how he wants to be closer to his family. He also spoke about the fact that there are no guarantees when playing on the PGA Tour.
Steele stated, “We play a sport that is fickle. You have no contracts as far signing with the Dodgers over five years. If you get hurt, you get compensated.” We don’t have that stuff. To have some security while going over there, you should be able to understand the story of each man who went. Some people want financial security. Some guys are older and some are more hurt. Some men aren’t as good but have a great name. There are many reasons you might want to play.
Steele is 122 and in The Official World Golf Ranking. Steele has not won the PGA Tour’s season-opening Safeway Open, Napa, since 2017, but he has never lost a PGA Tour card. Steele earned just over $2.5million in the 2021-22 season, which saw him make 15 cuts and miss eight more. Steele has been in the top three events since January but missed eight cuts in 2021-22. He was not in this week’s field for the Genesis Invitational after he pulled out just before the event started.
Steele’s December LIV thoughts were ended by a direct opinion.
He said, “It’s hurt all our friendships and hurts our feelings.” “It’s a strange time for us, because we have never had the need to deal with something like this.”
Steele may now have to confront the hurt feelings and friendships of those on the other side.
