Jack Nicklaus Says LIV Has Been a ‘Powerful Addition’ To Pro Golf

The 18-time major champion spoke honestly about the state of affairs between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

If there’s one individual who can offer some wisdom in the midst of the lingering uncertainty around pro golf, it’s Jack Nicklaus. 

Nicklaus, 83, joined Golf Channel’s Rich Lerner for a 15-minute conversation on Wednesday to share stories from his legendary career and comment on recent developments in the game. With the delay of the negotiations between the PGA Tour, the Saudi Public Investment Fund and Strategic Sports Group (a private investment group), Nicklaus and Lerner had much to discuss. 

When asked about the growing trend and demand for guaranteed pay in golf, Nicklaus noted that all sports are headed in such a direction, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a positive change. LIV Golf offers many of its members years-long contracts and its tournaments are 54-hole no-cut events. And now, with the PGA Tour’s new 2024 structure, several signature events do not feature cuts either. 

“Well, all sports are going in that direction. I’m not sure that I like it ... where does it stop? The sponsors can only put up so much money, the towns can only support so much,” he said of the PGA Tour’s shift. 

Nicklaus, 83, previously turned down $100 million to be the face of LIV Golf.  :: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch/USA TODAY Network

On the framework agreement between the PGA Tour and the PIF, Nicklaus noted that he isn’t aware of specifics—and that was a personal choice. He advised Jay Monahan, the PGA Tour Commissioner, not to share details with him.

“I talked to Jay [Monahan] about three weeks ago. We were talking, and I said, ‘Jay, don’t tell me what you’re doing. I don’t want to know because Rich Lerner is going to ask me a question about it, and if I don’t know, then I don’t have to answer the question,’" he said. "So, I don’t really know where they’re going. I hope that they get this thing together all in the best interest of the game of golf."

But that doesn’t mean Nicklaus couldn’t make some observations about LIV Golf, which he says has been more influential than anyone expected. When the Saudi-funded league was first launched, Nicklaus was offered $100 million to be the face of the circuit. He declined. When the framework agreement between the two parties was announced June 6, he asserted that the deal would be good for golf’s future. 

“The LIV thing has been a powerful addition to the game, probably impacted a lot more than we thought it was going to, but it has, and it probably will continue to do so,” he said. 

Nicklaus also expressed his continued support for Jay Monahan. 

“I know Jay’s taken a beating, but I’ve always been in full support of Jay," he said. "Everything Jay’s done has been in the best interest of golf and the Tour.”

Throughout the rest of the interview, Nicklaus speaks about his major record, Tiger Woods, Arnold Palmer and more. You can watch it in its entirety here.