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The PGA tour was shaken to its core in 2022 after the establishment of the controversial LIV Golf series. The Saudi-backed league managed to lure some of the most significant golfers on the PGA Tour, starting what can only be termed a civil war.
The divide between the two leagues is something that has never been seen before in golf. Players were forced to choose sides and stick to them. While the PGA Tour still retains prominent golfers like Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Tom Kim, and Scottie Scheffler amongst others, it is hard to deny that the departure of some players to LIV Golf has created a huge void on the roster.
LIV Golf has signed some of the best golfers in the business. Here's taking a look at the top 10 best golfers who left the PGA Tour.
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10) Abraham Ancer
Abraham Ancer is one of the best golfers to come out of Mexico. He won the 2021 WGC FedEx St.Jude Invitational in Memphis, Tennessee. He performed brilliantly in the 2019 Presidents Cup for the International team. His only loss in the tournament came against US captain Tiger Woods in singles.
Ancer was looked at as a potential top 20 player. He won the Saudi International this year.
9) Sergio Garcia
Garcia is unarguably one of the most popular names in European golf circles. The Spaniard was a regular for the European team in the Ryder Cup events since 1999 with the exception of 2010.
His departure from the PGA Tour came as a shock to the world. He also won the Masters in 2017 and the Players Championship in 2008.
8) Bubba Watson
Although Watson was only a non-playing captain during the inaugural season of LIV Golf owing to his injury, his absence from the PGA Tour events was saddening for many.
The two-time Masters champion was ranked in the top 10 of the Player Impact Program despite being at the bottom of the top 100 OWGR rankings at the time of him joining LIV Golf. He is immensely popular amongst fans and will be seen in action in the second edition of LIV Golf.
7) Patrick Reed
Always courting controversy, Reed became a part of one another after joining the controversial LIV Golf series. He was the 2018 Masters champion and is a veteran at the Ryder Cup events. Known for his creative golfing skills, Reed's exit was a huge loss to the PGA Tour.
6) Joaquin Niemann
The 23-year-old Niemann was touted as the next big thing on the PGA Tour before the young golfer jumped ship to join LIV Golf. He apparently mulled over the decision for weeks.
In fact, Rory McIlroy and Adam Scott each joined him for practice rounds at the Players Championship last year, most likely to convince him to stay on the PGA Tour. But alas!
5) Bryson DeChambeau
Known for his scientific approach towards golf, DeChambeau had quite a journey on the PGA Tour. From his 2020 US Open win to his par-5 drive at Bay Hill, he has displayed his brilliant golfing skills now and again.
He even took part in the World Long Drive Championship last year, coming second behind Martin Borgmeier. He has given fans some memorable times from his days at the PGA Tour.
4) Brooks Koepka
Koepka's potential to be a top 10 ranked player was consistently marred by a series of injuries. Nevertheless, he remains one of the best golfers in the world. The former world no. 1 won four majors between 2017 and 2019.
3) Cameron Smith
Smith enjoyed a thumping victory at the 2022 Open Championship. The Australian golfer is probably in the best phase of his career where he is playing some brilliant golf one after the other. He is unarguably a phenomenal golfer.
2) Phil Mickelson
The one who initiated it all. Mickelson was the most expensive player to join the LIV Golf series. Lefty is unarguably one of the best golfers in the world. In 2021 he became the oldest major winner in history after securing the PGA Championship title that year. He has built himself an illustrious legacy.
1) Dustin Johnson
Johnson is undoubtedly one of the highest rated players to join LIV Golf. Although he hadn't won a tournament in two years when he joined the Saudi-backed league, his skills were never doubted by anyone. He was the 2020 Masters champion and the 2016 US Open winner.
