Thomas Pieters: Standard of golf on LIV is ten times better than in Europe
The Belgian made the move to the breakaway circuit last February
Thomas Pieters believes the standard of golf on the LIV Golf League far exceeds that on the DP World Tour with the Belgian claiming it’s “ten times better.”
The 2022 Abu Dhabi Championship winner joined the breakaway circuit last year for a rumoured $10m despite being one of the star names on the DP World and a favourite to make Luke Donald’s European Ryder Cup Team at Marco Simone Golf & Country Club.
Now with a full season under his belt, the 32-year-old revealed the biggest difference between the two Tours isn’t the 54-hole events, shotgun starts or eye-watering prize money on offer, but the standard of play.
“Coming from the DP World Tour, the standard of golf is ten times better than what I used to play,” he told Gulf News at LIV Golf Jeddah.
“You can’t hide out here. As you can see from my results, I haven’t had the best year – if you’re average or have a bad week you’re going to finish last or in the last five which sucks, but that’s just the way it is.
“LIV is getting very strong.”
In recent months, LIV Golf has indeed strengthened significantly.
Two-time Major champion Jon Rahm made the switch in December, before DP World Tour regulars Adrian Meronk, Lucas Herbert and Tyrrell Hatton jumped ship from the PGA and DP World Tour earlier this year.
With the increase in the strength of field, Pieters knows he must up his game if he is to compete for titles once again.
The six-time DP World Tour winner is the first to admit he has struggled since joining the league, only finishing inside the top ten on one occasion in 2023 while failing to break into the top 30 in the three events held this year.
“Some personal stuff, not doing enough practice and having two young kids is not easy – they’re awesome but it’s very tiring!” said Pieters when I asked the reason for his struggles.
“I obviously don’t live in a country (Belgium) with the best weather so the winter has been tough and then I had to go and play in Mexico which is the tightest place on earth.
“It’s not great for the confidence but it is what it is. I don’t want to make excuses; it’s just not been great.”
LIV Golf continues this week in Hong Kong.