“I would have a problem with it” – Thomas on LIV golfers returning to PGA Tour

Justin Thomas admits that he would “have a hard time” if LIV golfers were allowed to return to the PGA Tour without and penalty.

The comments of JT come just days after Rory McIlroy said he would be OK with LIV players returning Stateside without punishment.

Thomas has become the third golfer (Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler) to oppose McIlroy’s stance and he feels a lot of players would have a problem with LIV players coming back and that the sacrifices made by PGA Tour players shouldn’t be overlooked.

“I would say that there’s a handful of players on LIV that would make the TOUR a better place, but I’m definitely not in the agreement that they should just be able to come back that easily,” Thomas explained ahead of the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

“I think there’s a lot of us that made sacrifices whether it’s true to our word or what we believe in or just didn’t make that decision, and I totally understand that things are changing and things are getting better. I would have a hard time with it, and I think a lot of guys would have a hard time with it, and I’m sure we don’t need to convince you why we would have a hard time with it.

“I think there’s a scenario somewhere, whatever it is, down the road of some kind of version of some guys being back, but when and what that is, I have no idea.”

Last week, McIlroy came out in support of LIV golfers returning to the PGA Tour, admitting he had changed his tune over golf’s civil war.

“I think life is about choices. Guys made choices to go and play LIV, guys made choices to stay here. If people still have eligibility on this tour and they want to come back and play or you want to try and do something, let them come back. I mean, I think it’s hard to punish people. I don’t think there should be a punishment.”

Later that week, Spieth said the PGA Tour may not need investment from the PIF after the Strategic Sports Group invested $3bn into the tour but McIlroy feels having PIF on board is unavoidable.

“Having PIF as your partner as opposed to not having them as your partner, I don’t think is an option for the game of golf,” McIlroy said. “I think they’re committed to investing in golf and in the wider world of sport and if you can get them to invest their money the right way to unify the game of golf.”