Anirban Lahiri claims one rumour concerning LIV Golf players and the PGA Tour is ‘the biggest joke ever’

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Anirban Lahiri has hit back at the idea that a number of LIV Golf players are desperate to return to the PGA Tour as speculation over the league’s future persists.

It does appear that the days of LIV Golf as we know it are numbered. The Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia are set to withdraw their financial support for the league at the end of the season.

Given the amounts the PIF has invested, it is hard to imagine LIV being able to find the kind of backing that allows them to continue on their current path. With that, it is no surprise that some players have been linked with leaving.

Anirban Lahiri hits out at idea LIV Golf players are desperate to return to the PGA Tour

Bryson DeChambeau is among those who is apparently weighing up his options. DeChambeau’s management team reportedly met with PGA Tour officials during The Masters to try and find out how a return would work.

But it seems that golf fans should not expect a mass exodus. Thomas Pieters insisted that he would not return to the PGA Tour, and would rather retire if LIV did fold.

And speaking to The Times, Anirban Lahiri – who is a member of DeChambeau’s Crushers team – insisted that rumours of players being desperate to leave are incredibly wide of the mark.

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“That is the biggest joke ever. I will not name names but I know at least a dozen players who’d rather not play golf than go back to the PGA Tour,” he said.

He was asked what was wrong with his previous tour.

“I’m not going to answer because I don’t want this to be a hate thing. I played on the PGA Tour for seven years and really enjoyed my time there. I learnt a lot about the business of golf and some of the things I learnt disillusioned me. I’ll leave it at that.

“That was enough for me not to want to go back, but that’s me personally. I’m sure others have different opinions of it and I respect that as well, but to generalise that everybody is falling over backwards to come back to the PGA Tour is the same kind of propaganda we’ve had for four years.”

Lahiri suggests how PGA Tour players will be feeling about the prospect of LIV stars returning

The PGA Tour will certainly be given a headache if LIV does cease to exist. Despite Lahiri’s claims, there may end up being several players with their eyes on a return.

Some will be positive additions to the PGA Tour. But obviously, those at Ponte Vedra will have to be wary of how they handle welcoming LIV players back into the fold.

Certainly, Lahiri does not think that the PGA Tour can bring players back without upsetting a lot of the membership.

“A lot of players moved from the PGA Tour because the lack of transparency there was just annoying,” he said. “And it’s remained the same, I mean, if I’m a PGA Tour member and suddenly you’re welcoming back LIV golfers, I’d be furious. Again, that’s a transparency issue.”

While Lahiri has gone on the attack, the PGA Tour surely finds itself in an extremely strong position. Those who now play on LIV probably need to remember that their involvement in the league has done little to change the balance of power within the game.