Former US Ryder Cup captain Steve Stryker is the kind of guy in the world of golf who when he opens his mouth, people listen to him.
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When the United States swept Europe 19-9 in the latest Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits, Stricker was hailed by all the young stars and his impact on the team was. It is detailed, calm and balanced.
At this point, we know exactly who is funding the LIV Golf Invitational Series and players have a clear choice: a massive payday now and an uncertain playing future or staying on a thriving local producer on the PGA Tour.
Although this is a problem for young people. It is really hard to gain and hold the spot on the PGA Tour and there is no guarantee that you will have a thriving injury-free career.
“Yeah, it’s a crazy time in the golf world, isn’t it?” Stricker told the media at the American Family Insurance Championship, the circular event he hosts in his home state of Wisconsin.
Then he dived deeply:
“I really don’t know what to think. We’ve talked about it, [wife] Nikki, me and Mario [his brother-in-law] And my family, we’ve talked about it a lot and if I’m put in this position what kind of thing do I do.
“Morally speaking, I don’t think I can do that, but that’s what I’m talking about now when I’m 55, right? If I was at peak performance when I was playing well, I was offered as much money as they did, would it be any different? It is difficult for me to answer that.
“Personally, morally, right now, I’m not a big fan. It sounds like, you know, I hate to say it, but it feels like a guest member, it really is. It’s not OK for me, no history there, begins Venice.
“They play for a lot of money and I don’t envy the players who are going there to play this round, but for me personally, I find it hard to get around it.
“I’ve always been — not a Hall of Fame guy, not a guy who won any major or anything like that, but I played and was able to compare myself, my time on the tour with the game greats and what they did, you know?
“Right now, there’s none of that on this LIV tour, it’s all about – it’s all about money. We all need it, right, and to some extent others need it more than others. Everyone is different.”
“Yes, it does seem to have some momentum. There are some other players that have appeared, so I think we’ll just have to wait and see how it turns out.
“I’m happy where I am, and I’m glad I’m still able to play here.
“Obviously the Tour has given a lot to me and my family over the course of my career, even this tournament here. I owe a lot to the Tour and what we have done during my career on the Tour.
“I just don’t know if I can get rid of all that and go play somewhere else.”
Stryker was asked if he would benefit when he was struggling.
He lost his PGA Tour ticket in the early 2000s but fought back.
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Straker said: