Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler Share Statement Denouncing Column on Patrick Cantlay’s ‘Coup D’état’

PGA Tour players including Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler, Justin Thomas, and Will Zalatoris are taking to social media to share a statement that denounces a recent column written on Patrick Cantlay in the wake of the proposed agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund. 

The Golfweek column alleges that Cantlay, a member of the PGA Tour’s Player Advisory Council, is “trying to rally players against the deal with the Saudis, and against members of the Tour’s policy board who architected or support it.” 

A section of the piece includes “the logic of Cantlay’s coup d’etat is that if LIV disappears as a threat—a likely occurrence under the deal—then players like him have no options, no leverage over the Tour, and no prospects for the lucrative payday to which they feel entitled.” It has long been rumored that Cantlay has been in talks with LIV Golf.

Scott, the PGA Tour Player Advisory Council Chairman, first shared the message to his Instagram on Thursday morning, captioning the post, “Serious times require serious perspective.” 

Fowler joined in posting the word-for-word statement on Thursday afternoon, along with Thomas and Zalatoris re-posting it to their Instagram stories. 

“These are serious times for golf and there are many serious matters. Should articles like this form part of the debate? 

“Putting aside personal barbs and fluffy adjectives would be helpful, dealing with facts presented with integrity far superior.

“Talk of a Cantlay coup d’état—really? Perhaps some proof rather than faceless speculation? 

“Cheap shots at players “value charisma”? Clearly, many companies value the players. Those players must be entitled to some time and information to decide what is palatable and what is not, after an about-face of Tour management policy. 

“The process will likely be best served with objectivity and truth.”

The statement not only defends Cantlay, but references an “about face” from PGA Tour management in the wake of the PGA Tour’s proposed alliance with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, the backer of LIV Golf. Players have continued to express frustration and confusion while details of the agreement have yet to be clarified and questions remain unanswered.