Golf's biggest stars voice frustrations prior to U.S. Open

Golf’s biggest stars will gather at the U.S. Open for the first major championship since last week’s bombshell merger news — and PGA Tour and LIV members alike are done trying to predict what the future of the professional game holds.

Rory McIlroy canceled his media availability on Tuesday, while several other major champions made it clear they want answers as much as fans do.

“A lot of people feel a bit of betrayal from management,” 2023 Masters and 2021 U.S. Open winner Jon Rahm said.

Brooks Koepka, who won his fifth major at last month’s PGA Championship, wouldn’t speculate on the impending changes. “I’m not going to go into the future,” he said when Front Office Sports asked if he would want to bring LIV’s team golf concept to the PGA Tour. “I don’t have a crystal ball with me.”

“What’s the purpose behind it?” two-time major champion Collin Morikawa asked. “We all want to know the ‘why,’” he added.

Major Course Renovation

As part of the U.S. Open in Los Angeles, the USGA is helping jumpstart a $15 million renovation of local course Maggie Hathaway. 

The Los Angeles Country Club, along with the Southern California Golf Association, is spearheading fundraising efforts that also involve influential figures like Stan Kroenke and Steve Ballmer. Morikawa, a Southern California native, is involved in the effort as an honorary chair. 

Renowned golf architect Gil Hanse, who led the 2010 restoration of LACC’s north course, is spearheading the Maggie Hathaway project pro bono. Hanse told Front Office Sports that the strong financial support “shows the support that golf has — the belief among golfers who are willing to contribute their energy and money.”