The BMW PGA Championship in Wentworth caused many reactions. What will be most interesting is the presence of LIV Golfers. Many are against their arrival, and on this issue, Paul McGinley had a lot to say; “The key to the anger felt by the ordinary, non-LIV members of the DP World Tour is that these guys, who’ve taken the big money from LIV, think they’re entitled to come back and take the places of players who support our tour week-in, week-out,” he said for planetsport.com “The LIV players don’t turn up for €2 or €3 million tournaments in the Czech Republic or Switzerland, but they come for the £6 million tournament at Wentworth.
This has led to a lot of resentment. Keith [Pelley] has spoken to virtually every one of our players. Not one wants the LIV guys in our tournaments.”
Reactions to McGinley’s statement
Reactions to his statements immediately followed.
Among the first to react was Gonzalo Fernández-Castano, who sent a message via Twitter: “Please don’t speak on behalf of all the membership @mcginleygolf. I have no problem whatsoever with the @LIVGolfInv players playing on the @DPWorldTour,” Spaniard Fernandez-Castano tweeted.
Scott Hend had the same reaction. He is still in contact with his friends from LIV Golf and their departure is not a problem for him. “Trust Me… Paul doesn’t speak for every member… It’s not like we aren’t mates…
Just because they went and played for a better offer… Give it a rest… A majority wouldn’t be able to play if they had of rectified the entry Criteria/Category.” McGinley admitted his mistake on Twitter: “Gonzalo makes a good point.
I should have been more precise & clearer in that particular quote. It should have read that ‘every player past & present that I’ve spoke to’ Obviously he wasn’t one that I’d spoken to.”
