Controversial PGA Star Patrick Cantlay ‘Bitter’ About Turning Down $75 Million

One of the top players on the PGA Tour, a member of the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup teams, is reportedly “bitter” about turning down a $75 million offer to join the LIV Golf tour. What did this player have to say about their decision?

Patrick Cantlay Turns Down $75 Million

Patrick Cantlay has confirmed he turned down offers from LIV both before and after he joined the PGA Tour’s Policy Board. According to reports, LIV offered Cantlay a whopping $75 million. Now he may have had second thoughts about being loyal to the PGA Tour. As a member of the PGA Tour’s Policy Board, Patrick Cantlay is involved in the negotiations to bring the rival tours together. While unconfirmed, rumors are swirling that Cantlay is obstructing the peace talks. Cantlay denies the allegations. 

The PGA Tour agreed on the framework of a deal with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) backing LIV and the DP World Tour (Europe’s version of the PGA Tour) months ago. All that was left was to hammer out the specific details. Yet no final agreement has been signed as the negotiations drag on. One issue on the table is how to address the former PGA Tour golfers who left for LIV. More specifically how to handle the huge payments they received. Is it possible Patrick Cantlay is so bitter about missing out on $75 million that he’s blocking a deal?

Cantlay Responds 

When asked about the negotiations at the recent Presidents Cup, Patrick Cantlay noted: “The transaction committee is taking really front and center with negotiations, and I’m not on that committee. So we get updates. Haven’t had one in a little bit, but hope they’re making good progress, and if it’s the best possible future for the Tour, then I’m supportive.” In an interview earlier this year, Patrick Cantlay offered his thoughts on the negotiations and his role in them.

“I care a lot about the PGA Tour. I grew up wanting to play on the PGA Tour and win tournaments on the PGA Tour, and I’ve been fortunate enough to have done that. So when I joined the board, I viewed that as a responsibility. It was important for me to take that very seriously and I have taken that very seriously.

“My goal, being on the PGA Tour policy board, is to represent all the members, both current and future, to the best of my ability. And so that’s what I’ve been trying to do. That’s what all the player directors have been trying to do. And we’ve been working really closely together over the last many months as a unit to make the best collective decisions that represent the interests of all the members.”

Cantlay Can’t Control the Negotiations On His Own

Regarding the rumors, Patrick Cantlay’s argument makes sense: “I just don’t think you can trust everything you read on the internet. I think if you just look at the facts that are out there, it would be impossible for any one player to take control. I mean, it would be impossible for all the players together to take control; we only have half the seats on the board. And any major vote around any of the things we’ve been talking about requires a two-thirds majority.”

Bottom Line: While it’s possible Patrick Cantlay regrets turning down the $75 million offer from LIV, it’s not likely he alone has the power to prevent a final agreement from being reached. The talks between the rivals will stop as both sides look to hammer out an agreement sooner rather than later.