Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
Aussie Matt Jones says he had no contact with Greg Norman before joining his Saudi-funded LIV Golf Tour and hasn’t ruled out taking court action to protect his place on the PGA Tour.
Jones, one of four Australians named in the field for the inaugural event on the controversial tour, also revealed he had committed to multiple events and had received a signing bonus for his participation.
The opening event of LIV Golf Invitational Series will have a purse of $35 million and the field will feature former Masters champions Sergio Garcia and Charl Schwartzel, former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen, former U.S. Open champions Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer and popular English duo Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter.
The PGA Tour has warned that players who join the LIV Tour will be putting their status at risk and released a statement on Thursday morning saying that any player participating in events on the LIV Golf Invitational Series without authorisation would be subject to sanctions.
There was also a backlash from sponsors – The Royal Bank of Canada ended its lucrative deal with Dustin Johnson and Graeme McDowell after their decision to play in the first event of the series in England.
Jones said his decision to join the tour was driven by a desire to spend more time with his family.
“The schedule is great for me with three kids — three young girls,” Jones told reporters at Memorial Tournament.
“I want to be around as a dad. I mean, I’ve been out here for 15 years. I’ve missed a lot of what goes on in my kids’ lives.
“I was raised with a mum and dad that were always there for me. They were at every sporting event, every schooling event, and that’s something I’d like to try to do for my kids.”
Jones said he was yet to receive any communication from the PGA Tour and distanced himself from commentary around the Saudi human rights issues, which have become a major talking point since Norman announced he would head up the rebel Tour.
“I’m a golfer,” Jones said.
“I’m not a political person. I play golf for a living. I stay in my lane. And that is my response to that. That’s exactly what it is.”
Asked whether there had been backlash from his fellow players, Jones said: “No. Definitely no backlash from players or caddies. It’s been very positive.”
As for his future on the PGA Tour, Jones said he was hopeful he would be able to continue playing.
“We’ll find out what happens,” he said.
“I don’t think banning players from playing on the PGA Tour as independent contractors is very good for golf.
“It’s not a good look for anyone. I understand the tour wants to protect their players and the product they have out here, but I don’t think that’s a good way to go about it.
“They keep everything in house, as they do with suspensions and drug tests and everything. So I’m sure it’ll come out, maybe once the first ball is hit by the players over there.”
Asked whether he would be willing to take the PGA Tour to court, he said: “I’ll have to see what all the other players are planning on, what their hopes are.
“Hopefully it doesn’t come to that, and we can work something out. I’m sure the PGA Tour’s lawyers are pretty confident, and I’m sure the LIV lawyers are pretty confident, too.
“But look, I’m a golfer. I’m going to stay in my lane because I have no idea on that stuff. It is an unknown. I’ve spoken to a lot of people in the organisation and I feel very good about the LIV people — the future, the plan they have in place to grow the game even more.
