Brooks Koepka’ s decision to sign up for the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series ‘surprised’ Scottie Scheffler, after revealing the pair shared a chat on ‘building the PGA Tour’ just last week. Koepka became the latest golf star to make the Saudi switch, after his signing was confirmed on Wednesday.
The American joins the likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson and his old rival Bryson DeChambeau in linking up with the controversial breakaway circuit in exchange for their PGA Tour membership. Koepka’s move seemed more peculiar than most, after revealing at the recent US Open he had not given the decision ‘much thought’.
And it seems the fans were not the only ones taken back by the decision, after Scheffler revealed he was surprised after speaking to him at his Ryder Cup meeting just one week ago.
Speaking to the media ahead of this week’s Travelers Championship about Koepka’s move, the world No. 1 said: “That was definitely a surprise for me .I was at a function with him last week and definitely wasn't what he had in mind. We were focused on building the PGA Tour and getting the guys that are staying here together and kind of just having talks and figuring out how we can help benefit the Tour."
Despite the four-time major winner’s controversial switch, Masters champion Scheffler admitted he was not going to ‘judge’ his fellow American’s decision. “To see Brooks leave was definitely a surprise for us,” he added. “With that being said, he's made his decision. I'm not going to knock him for doing that.
“He made the decision that's best for him and I'm not going to be one to judge him on that.” Scheffler himself was asked if he could be lured over to the Saudi-backed breakaway League, but insisted his loyalties firmly stand with the PGA Tour, after a breakthrough year for the 26-year-old.
The world No. 1 added: “For me, it's not where I see myself heading anytime soon. I grew up wanting to be on the PGA Tour. I grew up of dreaming of playing in these events. I didn't grow up wanting to play in the Centurion Club in London or whatever it is or in - I grew up wanting to play in the Masters.
“I grew up wanting to play in Austin. I grew up wanting to play Colonial, the Byron Nelson. I wouldn't trade those memories for anything at this moment in time. Those memories, to me, are invaluable. I would never risk going and losing the opportunity to bring, go back to Augusta every year or to do any of it. There's nothing that I would want to do right now that would risk having any sort of effects on the way my life is now."
