Are there any major stumbling blocks delaying the merger? Well, Rory McIlroy seems to think there are, and he might be right. “It’s DOJ and the… differing opinions of the players,” said the Northern Irishman when asked about this ahead of the upcoming BMW PGA Championship. Hard to disagree with him? You might have to, as a PGA Tour pro came forward to support his view just moments after his reveal. Enter Michael Kim.
The professional golfer shared a tweet on his X handle in response to McIlroy’s recent statements. “My short answer is No,” wrote the golfer to the question of whether he wants a deal or not before expressing his distaste for the whole ordeal. “It will not affect my bottom line,” added Kim while alluding to the deal, “It won’t change my schedule in the slightest bit and won’t change my earnings.” But then what would it change, according to the 31-year-old? Only the top 30 athletes on the circuit would be affected, per the American pro, as they’ll be the ones making the most money following the deal.
Do I want a deal?
My short answer is No but I don’t care much.
Whether the tour and LIV make a deal or not, it will not affect my bottom line. It won’t change my schedule in the slightest bit and won’t change my earnings. This realistically only affects the top 30ish golfers on… https://t.co/ReOQTyRYOa
— Michael S. Kim (@Mike_kim714) September 18, 2024
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Do you think Rory McIlroy’s confession will impact the PGA-LIV merger?
Do you think Scottie Scheffler’s exhaustion is justified given his $62 million season?
Do you think the new format at the Kroger Queen City Championship will make the tournament more exciting?
No, it will ruin the tradition
I’m not sure, let’s wait and see
Do you think LIV Golf’s new team format will revolutionize the sport?
He also expressed his disbelief at the LIV golfers bringing more interest to the PGA Tour. “It’s not gonna be a big mashup,” conveyed Kim as he added, “it’s only going to be for a few events with a big purse if I were to guess.” So what would make a bigger and better difference, according to Kim? “Make the TV product much better,” was his answer, with a disclaimer added, “I might be totally wrong but that’s my opinion.”
While the pro did add on how “petty” it was for LIV players to sue the Tour in the first place, he also pointed out how the defectors need to be given some sort of penalty for leaving, “There needs to be a consequence to their decision to leave and SUE the tour.” Rory McIlroy, on the other hand, would disagree with Kim’s statements. “Let them come back,” said the 35-year-old following Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton’s defection at the start of 2024. “I think it’s hard to punish people. I don’t think there should be a punishment.”
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But then again, Michael Kim did not stop there but also addressed his fans in the comments section. While some were skeptical of his views following the tweet, others were outrightly critical of his point of view.
Michael Kim gives the cold shoulder to LIV Golf Pros
One fan couldn’t believe Kim when he highlighted how adding 30-40 players into the field following the merger wouldn’t change his schedule. “Most guys’ status has run out,” replied Kim in the tweet in response to Rory McIlroy’s interview, “It’s not going to be open season where everyone on LIV all of a sudden gets status on the PGA tour. Only a select few guys would play the elevated events and they wouldn’t play the regular events.”
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Another fan, meanwhile, couldn’t understand how Kim would remain unaffected if the purse and the number of events were decreased after bringing in LIV golfers. What’s more, they criticized the golfer’s way of thinking. His reply? “That’s on the guys leading the tour and has to do with the TV product,” said the pro, “Way way less to do with LIV imo… I just don’t think bringing back a few guys will change much.”
Anyhow, it was quite a strong response by Kim following Rory McIlroy’s recent interview. He certainly reinforced the 4-time major champ’s point by revealing that he was part of the group of golfers that didn’t want the merger to happen. What do you think? Do you agree with Kim?
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