Scottie Scheffler, Spieth Don’t Wanna Play Outside USA’: Insider Blames PGA Tour Stars for Pro Golf’s Broken State

LIV Golf started in 2020, but it looks like the club is going faster than expected. Right from the start, they made a bold declaration that –  their mission is all about spreading the game and elevating the sport. And honestly, it’s hard to argue, especially when its players have been backing it up. But what about the PGA Tour?

Established in 1968, Jay Monahan’s PGA Tour has been a cornerstone of professional golf for decades. Yet, it seems like they fall short when it comes to promoting the game on an international scale. Pete Cowen, a well-known golf coach, put it bluntly during a recent episode of the 19th Uncut Podcast Series. “You have top golfers who don’t want to come outside of America,” Cowen said. “You’ve got Scottie Scheffler, Spieth, who doesn’t wanna play outside America,” he continued to blame.

Cowen didn’t stop there! He pointed fingers at both Scheffler and the PGA Tour, arguing that they aren’t doing enough to grow the game. “They are not spreading the game; they are not building the game,” he said. And honestly, that raises an eyebrow.

It’s been nearly two years since discussions of a potential $3 billion merger between the PGA Tour and PIF kicked off, yet there’s still no positive news. Reports indicate that one of the main hurdles is the reluctance of PGA Tour players to play outside of North America, where the majority of their events are. A source noted, “PGA Tour players have traditionally been reticent to travel outside North America, with the majority of PGA Tour events taking place in the US.” This unwillingness to travel could really hinder the growth of the sport.

Interestingly, during the podcast interview, Cowen also called out the PGA Tour for having a bit of an ego, suggesting they operate with a “we would like to be the PGA Tour and only the PGA Tour” mindset. The PGA Tour event organizes almost all the events in the US itself.  Take the 2025 schedule, for instance. Most events are in the US. On the contrary, LIV Golf is doing its bit to expand the sport globally.