Brooks Koepka believes somebody will 'sell out' and join Saudi Arabia-backed Super Golf League
PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. - Phil Mickelson's popularity may be taking a dive, but Brooks Koepka isn't so sure the same can be said about the Saudi Arabia-backed golf league.
Koepka, speaking Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Mickelson attempted to save himself from his unflattering comments about the PGA Tour, believes somebody will "sell out" and ultimately opt for the Greg Norman-backed, Saudi-financed Super Golf League.
"I think it's going to still keep going," Koepka said. "I think there will still be talk. Everyone talks about money. They've got enough of it. I don't see it backing down. They can just double up and they'll figure it out. They'll get their guys. Somebody will sell out and go to it."
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Rickie Fowler agreed, saying because the Saudis "love golf" - he calls them "golf nerds" - he does not see talk of a new league fading. Fowler added he believes the PGA Tour is "the best place to play" but "it could get better."
Some, though, believe Mickelson single-handedly is doing to the Saudi-backed league what Michigan coach Juwan Howard is doing to postgame handshake lines.
McIlroy, ranked No. 5 in the world, believes the league is "dead in the water."
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"Who's left? Who's left to go? I mean, there's no one," McIlory said last week during the Genesis Invitational. "It's dead in the water in my opinion. Yeah, I just can't see any reason why anyone would go."
But the intentions of two former world No. 1s, Lee Westwood and Justin Rose, and others like Ian Poulter and Henrik Stenson remain unknown. Westwood's thoughts, especially, are a mystery since he signed a non-disclosure agreement with the league.
Most continue to throw their support toward the Tour and commissioner Jay Monahan. Several high profile players like Koepka, Fowler, McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jon Rahm, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Cantlay have stated their allegiance to the Tour.