Charl Schwartzel, Dean Burmester voice LIV backing following two big exits

Koepka, who was one of the first to jump from the PGA Tour to the inaugural Saudi-backed Invitational Series in 2022, quit LIV in December before it was confirmed earlier this month that he would be returning to the PGA under stringent financial implications.

Reed had since followed suit, although he will serve a 12-month suspension from the PGA and instead turn up on the DP World Tour until August, and Schwartzel, who is also a former major winner at the 2011 Masters, believes two exits will not redefine the LIV tour. 

"Ja, look, I don't think it impacts – two guys don't define what LIV is and I think you'll see more of it, you'll see comings and goings because now there's a door that's most probably been opened, in a way," Schwartzel told SABC Sport.

"And I still think LIV is a very different product to the PGA, we move around the world and take world class fields around the world, so I still think the future for LIV is bright."

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Burmester, who is a more recent convert as from February 2023, echoes his teammate's sentiments and backs players' freedom to move where they deem fit.

"Ja, look, I think as individuals you can probably do what you want and play where you want and everybody is open and equal to make their own decisions," the 36-year-old added.

"I can't really speak on behalf of LIV as to what it does as a brand, obviously, it's a little bit of a shocker [losing] two good players, but in the same sense there's so much talent on the League and there's so many good players, us four [South Africans] included, who want to grow the game all over the world.

"And if that's where they feel their path needs to go then that was their decision, but I stand with the League and I obviously stand with my team.

"We're really close as the Southern Guards and I think we can produce something special and something for the League to be proud of."