Journeys

‘The LIV Offer Sounded Phenomenal’

I was about to finish college, I had no sponsors, and I wasn’t among the highest-ranked college players

By James Piot, with Keely Levins

Driving back to michigan state after missing cuts at the Masters and RBC, I was bummed. Then my phone rang. My agent was calling with an offer from LIV Golf.

My dad is a good player. He took was there. It felt like it was too perfect me to a range when I was little. I knew to have actually happened. immediately this is what I wanted to do. ● ● ● ● ● ● My agent set up a call. Ten people My older brother, Glenn, and I spent from LIV were on it. They couldn’t tell all of our time at Fox Hills golf course me who they had signed or were purin Plymouth, Michigan. A bunch of us suing, but they said it would be a team would play every day for golf balls, $5, a format. I loved the PGA Tour events hot dog. I was the youngest, so I played I played in, but every guy did his thing with a chip on my shoul- and then vanished. To be der. They stopped includ- JAMES PIOT (“PIE-OT”) part of a team with a biging putts inside 10 feet in LIV GOLF name pro mentoring me putting contests because AGE 24 sounded like the right way I made them all. I love chasLIVES CANTON, to start my career. For a guy ing perfection in golf even MICHIGAN about to finish school with though it’s impossible. no sponsors who wasn’t ● ● ● among the top-ranked college golfers I played college golf at Michigan and had just missed two PGA Tour cuts, State. We would play intramural bas- the LIV offer sounded phenomenal. ketball in the offseason. Coach worried ● ● ● about injuries, but we loved it. Working I talked it over with my family, together as a team is what makes college my swing instructor for over a decade, golf so fun. Competition sharpened my Brian Cairns, and my college coaches. game. I thought: ‘How can I win?’ instead There were a lot of unknowns about of ‘What’s my scoring average this week?’ LIV, and I had the US Open and sponShort game was the answer. I tightened sor’s exemptions at Memorial and Coloup the skills I’d developed from those nial. I could earn more PGA Tour starts contests as a kid to become consistent — or I could miss more cuts. in a way other guys weren’t. ● ● ● ● ● ● If you’re thinking about your legacy, At the 2021 US Amateur at Oak- you want to play the PGA Tour. But mont, my goal was to qualify for this is a great opportunity for a guy out match play. Never did I think I’d be of college with no financial security. holding that trophy. When the winning As I thought about the political side, putt fell, my college and high school I realised it’s a golf decision. I signed a golf buddies, coach Casey Lubahn from two-year contract. My agent wouldn’t Michigan State, my family, everyone be happy if I told you for how much.

I bought a GCQuad launch monitor, but otherwise I’m kind of cheap.

I live at home with my parents, though I’m looking to rent a place in Jupiter. Half my clothes are Michigan State gear. I still practise at the two public courses I grew up on. ● ● ●

Week 1 at LIV Golf, I didn’t know who would be there, if I would be the only young guy, whose team I would

be on. Sergio picked me. He texted our group chat that night: “Hey, who wants to have dinner?” Sergio Garcia’s offering to have dinner with me? ● ● ●

I haven’t lost any friendships over

joining LIV. I’ll get chirps from random people on Twitter, but I only care about what my inner circle thinks. LIV criticism is less heated outside the US. I’ve gotten to travel places I never thought I’d go, but I don’t fly private. I fly Delta. I like getting the points. ● ● ●

At every hotel they have a room for food, and each night there are

at least 12 guys hanging out. Harold Varner III helped me feel like I belong. We competed every practice round, and he points out where I need work. I’ll be spending the off-season getting bigger and adding speed. He also taught me the attitude you have to carry out here: You have to think you can win. People say we’re in it only for the money, but that’s not true. ● ● ●

I’ve talked to Majed al Sorour, CEO

of Saudi Golf, a few times. He wants to see younger guys win. That’s big for me, seeing how much he believes in us. ● ● ●

When LIV started signing more guys, people tweeted: “James Piot’s

going to be bumped out.” But from what I’ve heard, LIV has stayed true to the contracts we’ve signed. ● ● ●

I don’t want to miss out on play-

ing the majors. I’ve avoided debates about whether LIV players should. Playing the Masters was the coolest week of my life. I’m not exempt, so I’m putting my energy toward qualifying. My goal is to try to get into a major and see what I can do. I just want to win golf tournaments.