PGA Tour golfer Sam Burns stated that he would welcome players who joined LIV Golf, such as Jon Rahm and Bryson DeChambeau, back to the PGA Tour, asserting that their return would be "best for the game of golf as a whole." Burns expressed this sentiment in an exclusive interview with OutKick, noting that as a competitor, he wants to "play against the best players every week."
Burns, who has five PGA Tour wins and is ranked No. 7 in the world, did not consider joining LIV Golf when it launched in 2022. At the time, he affirmed his 100 percent support for the PGA Tour, calling his decision to stay an "easy one."
However, Burns also conveyed a sympathetic stance toward those who did depart for the rival league. He stated he does not "fault anyone for the decision that they make to go play another tour" and acknowledged not knowing the individual circumstances that led to their choices. "I don't blame anyone for going," Burns said. "I think everyone has the freedom to kind of choose the path that they want to take. And ultimately, sometimes we make decisions with information that we have, and it doesn't pan out."
His comments come as LIV Golf faces an uncertain future. Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, LIV's primary financial backer, plans to end its support after 2026. While LIV CEO Scott O'Neil has indicated an agreement with a new lead investor, the league has also adjusted its 2026 schedule, ending earlier than planned. Burns acknowledged this uncertainty, stating, "A lot of the LIV stuff is kind of up in the air right now. I don't really know the future of it."
Brooks Koepka returned to the PGA Tour earlier this year after leaving LIV Golf, though his reentry involved a one-time Returning Member Program with financial penalties and restrictions. The PGA Tour has stated that program is now closed and did not establish a guaranteed pathway for future LIV players seeking to return.
Burns, who spoke to OutKick at a promotional event in St. Louis ahead of the BMW Championship, did not claim to have a solution for potential player returns. "It's definitely a topic that's kind of over my head. There's a lot of things to figure out with it," he said. Nevertheless, he reiterated his desire for top golfers to compete against each other again, believing "ultimately you'll see those guys back at some point."