'Everybody Has A Price' - Justin Thomas 'Sad' About LIV Golf Departures
The two-time Major champion described the current situation in golf as "just sad"
![Justin Thomas at a press conference](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NFTjyKrBKhGrWVSzUHgTaJ-415-80.jpg)
Justin Thomas has expressed his sadness that some of his peers have left the PGA Tour, or subsequently been suspended, to play in the LIV Golf Invitational Series.
Thomas has been a staunch supporter of the PGA Tour but admitted that it is "astronomical money" being offered to players and that LIV Golf are "reaching that number with a lot of people." The likes of Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed, Lee Westwood and Louis Oosthuizen are just some to have left, or been suspended by, the PGA Tour following the decision to move to LIV Golf.
"I tossed and turned and lost a lot of sleep last week thinking about what could potentially happen, and I grew up my entire life wanting to play the PGA Tour, wanting to break records, make history, play Presidents Cups, play Ryder Cups," the former World No.1 said ahead of this week's US Open, the third men's Major of 2022.
"The fact that things like that could potentially get hurt because of some of the people that are leaving, and if more go, it's just sad. It's really no other way to say it. It just makes me sad, because like I said, I've grown up my entire life wanting to do that, and I don't want to do anything else.
"The people that have gone, like I said, they have the decision that they're entitled to make. Not necessarily that I agree with it one way or the other, but everything has got a price, I guess.
"I go back and forth so much on different thoughts and how I feel about it. I know what I want to happen, but it's just at the end of the day you don't know if it is going to happen. Like I've said from the beginning, it's astronomical money that they're throwing at people. Everybody has a price for everything. It doesn't matter if you don't want to do it, if you want to do it. There's going to be some kind of number that's going to get people to think about it, and they're reaching that number with a lot of people.
"I just want to be able to basically say my part or what I think about the decision or the PGA Tour. Selfishly I don't want anybody to leave. I've talked to some of my peers that have asked me questions, and I don't know probably as much as others, but I'm, like, you've got to do what's best for you or what you think is best for your career. I'm, like, but selfishly I don't want you to go. That's how I kind of end any phrase or any conversation that I'm having with somebody about it, because at the end of the day I'm not their parent, I'm not the person that's making their decisions. All I can do is plead my case. But everybody out here is a grown-up, they can make their own decisions."
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
VIDEO: THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT JUSTIN THOMAS
Elliott Heath is our News Editor and has been with Golf Monthly since early 2016 after graduating with a degree in Sports Journalism. He manages the Golf Monthly news team as well as our large Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. He covered the 2022 Masters from Augusta National as well as five Open Championships on-site including the 150th at St Andrews. His first Open was in 2017 at Royal Birkdale, when he walked inside the ropes with Jordan Spieth during the Texan's memorable Claret Jug triumph. He has played 35 of our Top 100 golf courses, with his favourites being both Sunningdales, Woodhall Spa, Western Gailes, Old Head and Turnberry. He has been obsessed with the sport since the age of 8 and currently plays off of a six handicap. His golfing highlights are making albatross on the 9th hole on the Hotchkin Course at Woodhall Spa, shooting an under-par round, playing in the Aramco Team Series on the Ladies European Tour and making his one and only hole-in-one at the age of 15 - a long time ago now!
Elliott is currently playing:
Driver: Titleist TSR4
3 wood: Titleist TSi2
Hybrids: Titleist 816 H1
Irons: Mizuno MP5 5-PW
Wedges: Cleveland RTX ZipCore 50, 54, 58
Putter: Odyssey White Hot OG #5
Ball: Srixon Z Star XV
-
I've Suffered With The Shanks For A Year And My Golf Game Is In Tatters. Can Anything Help?
It's a shot that can keep golfers awake at night, as Michael Weston has unfortunately discovered in recent times
By Michael Weston Published
-
Dan Grieve 25 Handicap Lesson: Better Bunker Play
Dan Grieve gives a high handicap golfer a lesson in the sand to get the ball out of the bunker consistently every time
By Joel Tadman Published
-
Justin Thomas Comes Up Over 80 Yards Short On Par 3 At The Open
Strong winds at Royal Troon have been playing havoc with golf shots throughout the day - with Justin Thomas the latest victim
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Phil Mickelson Backing 'Incredible' Ryder Cup Partner Keegan Bradley To 'Lead With Passion' As US Team Captain
The 12-time Ryder Cupper said Bradley's love for the biennial team competition is "more than anybody I know" and is backing him to thrive as US team captain
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
LIV Golfer Lee Westwood Set For Over-50s Debut At US Senior Open
The LIV golfer - who turned 51 in April - is set to tee it up at the US Senior Open this week in what will be his first Major appearance in the over-50s category
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'Bryson Is One Of The Best Things To Ever Happen To Golf' - Brandel Chamblee Singles Out DeChambeau For Overwhelming Praise After US Open Win
The Golf Channel analyst has been one of LIV Golf's fiercest critics and was recently accused of not giving DeChambeau enough credit following his second US Open victory
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'He'll Win Multiple More' - US Open Champion Bryson DeChambeau Backs Rory McIlroy To Come Out Firing After Crushing Pinehurst Disappointment
DeChambeau and McIlroy were involved in a thrilling battle down the back nine on Sunday before the American emerged victorious by a shot
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
Bryson DeChambeau Responds To 'Salty Balls' Question In Funny (And Insightful) US Open Press Conference Exchange
The Scientist is leaving no stone unturned as he searches for a second Major championship trophy...
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
'The World Ranking Is Not A Reflection Of Where I Should Be' - Patrick Reed Critical Of OWGR Ahead Of Major Streak Ending
The LIV golfer has not missed a Major since 2013, but that run will come to a conclusion at the US Open next week - a fact the American believes could have been avoided
By Jonny Leighfield Published
-
13-Time Pro Winner To Make LIV Golf Debut In Bryson DeChambeau's Team
Crushers GC are leading the team standings in the LIV Golf League this season, but they have been forced into a change as the second half of the season begins this weekend...
By Jonny Leighfield Published