More than a year on from the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s financial backers, the Saudi Public Investment Fund, supposedly burying the hatchet, we’ve still no idea what the future landscape of men’s professional golf looks like and Martin Kaymer for one is baffled by the fact.
The PGA Tour last week informed its members that “there is still work to do” as negotiations are still ongoing with the PIF and PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan would only go so far as to insist that meaningful progress had occurred.
Kaymer was one of the original defectors to the breakaway league, but like the rest of us, is very much in the dark about what may or may not be happening. He is, however, fairly sure that white smoke won’t be seen anytime soon.
“I’m not a businessman, right? I’m not a politician, I don’t understand why it is so difficult to find common ground for the greater good,” Kaymer told bunkered.co.uk
“I don’t know if its personal or its just being greedy? Those are the thoughts that pop up. In the last few weeks playing in America, I don’t really see that the merger will happen anytime soon.
“Does it frustrate me? Not really because I’m happy playing on the LIV tour and once in a while on the European Tour when they let me. It’s just a bit difficult for us normal people to understand why it doesn’t work or why people cannot work together. But with my little knowledge, it must be about the money and the power which most businesses that’s the way it is.”
Despite being a two-time major champion, Kaymer’s game had deserted him in the eight years following his second major victory which came at the U.S. Open at Pinehurst in 2014, so there was no real surprise when he took up the offer to bring his talents to LIV. Still, he feels the criticism levelled at himself and the other early signees was over the top.
“For me it was the right move,” Kaymer said. “I was a little bit overwhelmed with the criticism that we got two and a half years ago. Not only against me but my family, my wife, my friends at certain times which is very narrow-minded, childish and strange sometimes. That’s how it went. I can understand why people do it, I don’t agree with it but that’s how it was.
“But I’m very happy the way things are progressing. I like the transparency that LIV gives us. We know exactly what we’re getting into and we know where LIV is going. You are really part of the process.”
Kaymer’s time on the European Tour saw him amass 11 European Tour victories, rise to number one in the world rankings and be a part of four Ryder Cup teams, including three victories, most notably in 2012 where he secured the vital point which completed Europe’s incredible comeback in what has since been dubbed the ‘Miracle at Medinah’.
So it’s only natural that he looks back on his European Tour career with fond memories and is looking forward to teeing it up at the BMW International Open in his native Germany in just over a week’s time.
“I always enjoy playing on the European Tour,” he said. “The people that I met through the Ryder Cups, the different countries, the tournament directors, the organisers. You have relationships with those people. Of course I would like to participate in those tournaments.
“But don’t get me wrong, there was a reason why I signed up to play for LIV as well. I do enjoy playing 14 events and the majors. If we can find common ground in the next few years, I would love to play a few more tournaments on the European Tour because this is and has always been my home tour.
“Even though I play on LIV now, I still consider myself a European Tour lover. Even though the road has been very tricky for them and management has changed a lot, I am a strong believer in that tour and those venues and tournaments.”
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