Thomas Pieters has claimed that ‘lonely’ life on the PGA Tour was one of the reasons he defected to LIV Golf.
The six-time DP World Tour winner played 12 events on the PGA Tour in the 2016/2017 season, the most he has played in the States in a single season, but quickly realised it wasn’t for him after finding it a lot lonelier than the European circuit.
Despite enjoying his surroundings in Europe and playing in the Hero Cup earlier this year in a bid to prepare for a likely call-up to Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup squad, the Belgian defected to LIV Golf, joining Bubba Watson, Talor Gooch and Harold Varner III on the RangeGoats team for a reported $10m.
“As a kid you obviously dream about playing on the PGA Tour, winning golf tournaments,” said Pieters, on Barstool’s Fore Play podcast.
“I played a year on the PGA Tour. I did not like it,” he said. “I got very homesick, very lonely, so for me that was kind of like tick the box, I tried it over there, wasn’t my thing and then LIV came around right at the right time.
“Everybody who was playing on it last year that I talked to said it was very exciting, new and that was something that really spoke to me. You can’t lie about it financially, it’s amazing, and it was something as a family, father of two daughters, as well with my girlfriend, it’s awesome to have such good schedule, as well.”
“Last week (RangeGoat teammates Harold Varner III and Talor Gooch), we went out to dinner a couple nights, for me that’s normal,” he said. “It’s funny because Harold said, ‘man we never did this on the PGA Tour,’ and I find that a little bit sad.”
Life on the PGA Tour was often lonely for @Thomas_Pieters, and it was a big reason why he made the move to LIV.
Presented by @Chevrolet #Ad #ChevyEV pic.twitter.com/AfRsuqcPYr
— Fore Play (@ForePlayPod) March 23, 2023
The 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner also opened up on his unique perspective of the game, stating that his happiness comes first and foremost.
“I’ve done 10 years of being on the road and trying to achieve my dreams,” he said.
“I’m not Rory McIlroy, I’m not Tiger Woods, I’m not going to be in the history books or have a massive legacy, and that’s OK.”
“I’ve made an unbelievable living out of golf, which is amazing for me and my missus and my kids. I don’t worry about that at all, actually. It’s just sport. It’s just golf. Happiness is so much more than just playing golf.”
