Scheffler to fans upset with golf's divide: 'Look at the guys that left'

Scottie Scheffler offered some simple advice to fans who are unhappy that the world's top players aren't converging at TPC Sawgrass for The Players Championship.

"If the fans are upset, then look at the guys that left," Scheffler said Tuesday, per ESPN's Mark Schlabach. "We had a tour, we were all together and the people that left are no longer here. At the end of the day, that's where the splintering comes from.

"As far as our tour goes, like I said, we're doing our best to create the best product for the fans, and that's really where we're at."

The Players is generally referred to as the season's "fifth major" and boasted the most competitive field of the year before LIV Golf reeled in superstars Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Cam Smith, among others.

"If guys want to take the money and leave, then that's their decision," Scheffler said. "I'm not gonna sit here and tell guys not to take hundreds of millions of dollars. If that's what they think is best for their life, then go do it. I'm not going to sit here and force guys to stay on our tour."

PGA TOUR commissioner Jay Monahan held a press conference Tuesday but had little to offer on any updates regarding negotiations with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The two entities announced a framework deal to merge last June, but they are yet to progress to a resolution.

LIV has held four events this season, and its next tournament is scheduled for April in Miami - one week before the Masters. Former TOUR players who left for LIV are eligible to play in majors.

Scheffler, the top-ranked player in the world, won The Players in 2023 and earned his first title of the season last week at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.