Hovland Unsure Of Future Amid Saudi-Backed Golf League Rumours

The breakaway Saudi Golf League has dominated proceedings in the golfing world over the last few weeks, with it being reported that multiple players have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements, as well as being offered eye-watering amounts of money to join the breakaway league.

Although it seems nothing has been set in stone, the revelation of players signing these non-disclosure agreements regarding the Saudi Golf League, indicates that an announcement about the launch date is likely to be sooner rather than later, with Phil Mickelson mentioning that: “Pretty much every player in the top 100 has been contacted at some point.”  

However, although this maybe the case, there still seems to be a number of factors still up in the air, with some players still unsure on what the future is going to hold for them...

One of the players is Viktor Hovland, arguably the most in-form golfer in the world right now having claimed three titles in his last five worldwide starts. Speaking at the Waste Management Phoenix Open on Wednesday, the young Norwegian refused to be drawn into the Saudi Golf League comments, stating: "I haven't talked too much about that stuff with other players." 

He went on to say: "I think, just right now, there is so much unknown, you can talk about it, but then if we don't know too much either, it's hard to talk about too much. So, you know, we are kind of still trying to figure this stuff out. I certainly love playing on the PGA Tour and it's good to be back here after a little trip over on the DP World Tour.

"But, you know, I'm playing a bunch of PGA Tour events coming up, and we'll kind of see what happens after that. I don't really know what's going to happen. But I'm just focusing on this event and next week and after that."

The players who have reportedly signed NDA's are Dustin Johnson and Lee Westwood, with The Daily Telegraph also reporting that Ian Poulter had been offered up to $30m to join the breakaway league. As well as Poulter, Sportsmail has reported that Bryson DeChambeau has been offered an astounding £100 million to be the poster boy of the new league - However, he has recently denied this.

One thing that is for certain is that the likes of Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods and Brooks Koepka won't be joining the breakaway Saudi Golf League, with McIlroy calling the idea of the SGL: "nothing more than a money grab.".

As well as McIlroy, 15-time Major champion, Woods, stated he is "supporting the PGA Tour," claiming that it is where "his legacy is." The last player to also come out in support of the PGA Tour, is Koepka, with the 31-year-old commenting: "It's been pretty clear for a long time now that I'm with the PGA Tour, it's where I'm staying. I'm very happy. I think they do things the right way. People I want to do business with. I'm happy to be here."