Matt Fitzpatrick maintained his impressive early-season form by claiming victory at the RBC Heritage, but the wider golf conversation remains heavily focused on LIV Golf, with Bryson DeChambeau reportedly weighing up a possible return to the PGA Tour.
Fitzpatrick edged out Scottie Scheffler in a dramatic playoff to secure his second win of the season. Scheffler, meanwhile, had to settle for second place for the second straight week after also finishing just one shot behind Rory McIlroy at the Masters, despite having won the opening tournament of the year.
Although Fitzpatrick collected the $3.6 million winner’s prize, a substantial portion of that payout was immediately lost to taxes. Because his earnings placed him in the top federal bracket, around 37 percent of the prize money went to federal tax, amounting to roughly $1.332 million. On top of that, South Carolina imposed state tax through its so-called “jock tax” on non-resident athletes, costing him about $234,000 more. Since Fitzpatrick lives in Florida, where there is no state income tax, he avoided any additional state liability there. In total, he gave up $1.566 million, which works out to roughly 43.5 percent of his winnings.
At the same time, uncertainty continues to surround LIV Golf. Reports have suggested that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund could reconsider its long-term financial backing, raising new doubts about the league’s future. Even though LIV CEO Scott O’Neil has insisted the circuit is operating at full speed this season, speculation has not gone away.
That uncertainty has only added to the focus on DeChambeau, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the year. Renewal discussions have reportedly slowed, and it is said that he explored other possibilities during Masters week.
PGA Tour CEO Brian Rolapp addressed the subject and made clear that the Tour would consider any move that strengthens its position. Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Rolapp said the PGA Tour is seeing the same reports everyone else is and does not know exactly what is happening inside LIV Golf. He noted that LIV players remain under contract and that those agreements will be respected.
Rolapp also pointed to Brooks Koepka’s return as an example, explaining that the former LIV player simply got in touch once he was free of his contract and said he was ready to come back. Rolapp added that, for now, the PGA Tour’s priority remains improving its own product, but stressed that he would remain open to anything that benefits the Tour.
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