Would PGA Tour players compete vs. LIV Golf in a team event?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Did you really think we’d get a free week of golf at the 2022 Presidents Cup without discussing the divide between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf?

While the majority of the focus this week at Quail Hollow Club has been on the stacked American roster and the International team’s quest for a first-ever win on U.S. soil, the absence of players like Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Cameron Smith and Joaquin Niemann has been felt and discussed.

But what if there was some crossover between the two professional tours? A question was posed to many of the 24 players competing this week: If a PGA Tour vs. LIV Golf team event was created, would you play?

Here’s what they had to say.

Billy Horschel

“There was this conversation, I don’t know when it was, and it was discussed. Yeah, I wouldn’t mind playing in it, but at the same time, you’ve got to look at things — what would the PGA Tour benefit from that? Nothing. If we win, we’re supposed to win. If we lose, it looks bad on the PGA Tour.”

“So it’s really a lose-lose for the PGA Tour in that situation, and LIV’s got everything to gain from it.”

“But as a player, we’re all competitive, and I have great relationships with a lot of those guys and I would love to compete with them. I was looking forward to playing the Presidents Cup and maybe getting paired against Cam Smith, who’s a really good friend of mine. If somehow there was a little LIV-PGA Tour competition, I would love that. I would love to play against Cam Smith or one of my good friends, Ian Poulter or something like that.”

“Like I said, I’m not the one who makes that decision. There’s more that goes into a decision like that. I wouldn’t fault the PGA Tour or anyone saying this doesn’t benefit us going forward. I see that side of it, and I’m fine with that.”

Team USA golfer Billy Horschel lines up his putt on the 14th green during a practice day for the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Quail Hollow Club. (Photo: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports)

Collin Morikawa

“No. To be honest, a lot of those guys, they’ve gone and they’ve made the decision, and I really haven’t thought about them, and there’s a couple of the guys that I definitely miss having around. But it’s a — I think it’s just like anything in life, there’s a cycle. Golf has a long lifespan. Guys stay for a long time, and there’s just a cycle…