Scottie Scheffler unlikely to show any sympathy for LIV Golf star facing axe

Hudson Swafford’s career on the LIV Golf circuit appears to be on shaky ground, as the 37-year-old is reportedly set to be cut from the Saudi-backed tour following a lackluster season. Despite receiving a wildcard after recovering from hip surgery, Swafford finished 55th out of 57 players in the 2024 individual standings, with his best finish being a tie for 36th in Mayakoba, Mexico.

Having defected from the PGA Tour in 2022, Swafford’s decision came with a price—a suspension from the PGA Tour. Now, with LIV’s apparent decision to part ways, Swafford may face an uncertain future in professional golf.

Scottie Scheffler, a prominent figure on the PGA Tour, has made it clear that he has little sympathy for Swafford’s predicament or for others who chose LIV Golf over the traditional circuit. Scheffler, who has been vocal about his loyalty to the PGA Tour, once criticized Swafford and fellow defectors Talor Gooch and Matt Jones for trying to overturn their PGA Tour bans to compete in the FedEx Cup playoffs. To Scheffler, the move was frustrating, as he believes players made their choice when they joined LIV, leaving them no grounds to dispute the repercussions. While Swafford’s options narrow, the Asian Tour’s International Series may be a pathway back to competition, though without the prestige of the PGA Tour.