Patrick Cantlay Reportedly “Bitter” After Turning Down $75 Million LIV Golf Offer
Patrick Cantlay, one of the top players on the PGA Tour and a member of the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams, has confirmed he rejected offers from LIV Golf both before and after joining the PGA Tour’s Policy Board. LIV Golf reportedly offered Cantlay an astonishing $75 million to make the switch. Now, there are rumors that Cantlay may be second-guessing his loyalty to the PGA Tour. As a key member of the PGA Tour’s Policy Board, Cantlay plays a role in the ongoing negotiations between the PGA and LIV Golf, which aim to merge the rival tours. Despite unconfirmed reports that he may be obstructing the talks, Cantlay has denied these claims.
A Merger on Hold
The PGA Tour reached a tentative deal with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF), which backs LIV Golf, and the DP World Tour (Europe’s version of the PGA Tour) earlier this year. However, a final agreement has not yet been signed, with negotiations dragging on for months. One of the key issues in the talks is how to address the former PGA Tour players who defected to LIV, particularly regarding the large sums of money they received. There’s speculation that Cantlay’s disappointment over missing out on $75 million may be influencing the process, but such claims remain speculative.
Cantlay’s Response to the Rumors
When asked about the negotiations during the recent Presidents Cup, Cantlay clarified his role: “The transaction committee is really leading the negotiations, and I’m not a part of that committee. We get updates periodically. It’s been a while since the last one, but I hope progress is being made, and if the final outcome is the best for the Tour, I’m in full support of it.”
In a previous interview, Cantlay expressed his dedication to the PGA Tour and his role on the Policy Board: “I’ve always cared deeply about the PGA Tour. It was my dream to play on the PGA Tour and win tournaments here, and I’ve been fortunate to do that. When I joined the Board, I took that responsibility seriously. My goal is to represent all members—current and future—to the best of my ability. That’s what I’ve been striving for, along with the other player directors.”
No Single Player Can Control the Outcome
Addressing the rumors that he’s hindering the negotiations, Cantlay explained: “You can’t always believe everything you read on the internet. If you look at the facts, no single player can control these negotiations. Even all the players combined don’t have full control, as we only hold half the seats on the board. Any significant decision requires a two-thirds majority vote.”
The Bottom Line
While Patrick Cantlay may regret passing up LIV’s $75 million offer, it’s unlikely that he alone has the power to derail the ongoing negotiations. The talks between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf will continue, as both sides strive to finalize an agreement that will shape the future of professional golf.