Former LIV Golf star Oliver Fisher has risen to the defence of fellow breakaway players Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter, after the pair found themselves central to the controversy surrounding the breakaway circuit.
On Tuesday the golfing world was left in shock after long-time rivals LIV Golf and the PGA Tour announced a groundbreaking deal to merge along with the DP World Tour. The rival circuits had been embroiled in battle for over a year, but rocked the sport after dramatically settling their differences.
The agreement is set to bring the three circuits into one entity under a name that is yet to be decided, all backed by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF).
Following the announcement a lot of question marks surrounding the merge are yet to be answered. One of the biggest resides around both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour membership of LIV players after they were banned and sanctioned over the past year.
Most notably European stalwarts Westwood and Poulter ended their long-time association with the DP World Tour due to the punishment they faced for joining LIV Golf. The duo were heavily criticised in the wake of making the Saudi switch, after the Ryder Cup legends gave up the chance to ever represent their continent again on the back of their move.
Of course the plus for both Westwood and Poulter - as well as their other LIV colleagues - was the chance to earn prize money the world of golf had never seen before. And with both much closer to the end of their playing careers than the start, Fisher believes the pair made the right decision, regardless of the consequences.
Speaking exclusively to Mirror Sport Fisher defended their move, commenting: "There has been so much disruption in terms of so many guys who have played on the [DP World] Tour for years who have been so defining in terms of Ryder Cups and have great records.
"I don’t believe they turned their back on the Tour. Through the offers they were given through LIV, these are things that the guys can’t turn down and they had to resign their memberships I think is a shame for the Tour.” Of course it remains to be seen what comes next for Poulter, Westwood and co on the back of the merge.
DP World Tour boss Keith Pelley revealed in a letter to LIV players that there was still plenty of work to be done if they were to regain their Tour cards and Ryder Cup eligibility. Whilst many have been quick to the Tours' decision to team up with LIV Golf, Fisher believes the merge will only benefit the game.
"From a player’s perspective who has been around for 15 years or so I think that is a healthy position to be in," he added. "PIF is certainly enthusiastic about investing a wholesome amount of money and moving the business forward which is great for everyone involved. I think it is only good for the game, and you’ve got to look forward to it.
Claiming the sport is lucky to have investment of Saudi Arabia, despite the controversies surrounding the funding, he went on: "There are a lot of positives from yesterday and a lot more to look forward to… This merger is what we needed. We need people in support of each other, people wanting to be part of it together. We are lucky that people invest and do whatever it takes."
