NAPLES, Florida — Jason Day doesn’t mind golfers leaving the PGA Tour to join LIV Golf. And he remains close with fellow Aussie Cameron Smith, the highest-ranked golfer to make the jump.
But would he join Smith on the tour financed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund?
“I definitely would say no,” Day told the Palm Beach Post during this past weekend’s QBE Shootout. “I wouldn’t go as of now.”
But does that close the door forever?
“Who knows in a year’s time, you might think differently,” he said.
Day’s name has been floated since Smith left the PGA Tour after winning The Open and became captain of the all-Australian team Punch. That ramped up speculation the remaining two most prominent Australians on the tour, Day and Adam Scott, could join Smith’s team. Punch, which also included Marc Leishman, Matt Jones and Wade Ormsby, placed second to Dustin Johnson’s 4 Aces in the season-long team competition.
Jason Day of Australia prepares to putt on the ninth hole during the completion of the second round of the Cadence Bank Houston Open golf tournament. (Photo: Erik Williams/USA TODAY Sports)
LIV’s CEO is the most famous Australian golfer of all time, Greg Norman. And LIV has added a stop in Australia to the 2023 schedule, playing at the South Australian Province of Adelaide from April 21-23. LIV is rebranding to the LIV Golf League in 2023 and going from eight to 14 events.
Day said he does not have a deal lined up but like many golfers is saddened by the friction between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour.
“I don’t blame some of the guys for going because there’s quite a lot of money these guys are earning. I understand it,” he said. “For me, it just depends on how you feel about major championships, and I know that’s all up in the air right now if they’re going to play or not, and they don’t have world ranking points out there.
“It’s disappointing there’s a divide on both sides.”
Day, 35, has 17 professional wins, including 12 on the PGA Tour. He reached No. 1 in the world a month after winning the 2015 PGA Championship. He and Smith have not spoken since Smith made the jump in August when he was No. 2 in the World Golf Rankings but Day said it has nothing to do with Smith leaving the PGA Tour.
“He’s definitely a friend, we just haven’t spoken,” Day said. “All those guys out there are my friends. Some of the friendships fractured between some of the guys who have been more outspoken.
“I…
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