In the ever-turning world of professional golf, the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund is set to end its financial backing of LIV Golf at the close of the year. This leaves LIV CEO Scott O'Neil in a scramble to secure new funding for the renegade circuit, sparking widespread debate about how LIV golfers might be welcomed back to the PGA Tour.

As the dust settles, opinions among PGA Tour players are sharply divided. Some pros are ready to welcome stars like Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm back with open arms, much like Brooks Koepka's return, citing the boost in viewership and the potential to drive up the next media rights deal. For them, if it helps line players' pockets, all is forgiven. On the flip side, a vocal camp argues that many of these players sued the Tour, talked smack, and tried to tear it down. They believe it's retribution time for these mercenaries with shallow core values.

Caught in the middle is Rickie Fowler, who has emerged as a voice of reason throughout golf's civil war. Known for his savvy business acumen, Fowler has built a brand and following that makes him one of the most attractive players to sponsors—impressive for a pro with six wins and no majors on his resume. When asked about LIV players like his old Golf Boys pal Bubba Watson returning to the Tour's mothership, Fowler takes a pragmatic stance.

"I don't have a problem with it," Fowler says, emphasizing that having the best players compete together more often is better for business. He acknowledges that LIV boasts a handful of players that golf fans still care about and want to see. However, he's clear that it won't be a simple homecoming. "I'm not against it, but it's not going to be like, 'Oh, you had full status when you left, well, come on back and pick up where you left off,'" he explains.

For those who still retain status—such as Dustin Johnson, DeChambeau, Rahm, and Cameron Smith—Fowler sees potential for preferential treatment. "It's so individual; every one's situation is different," he notes, highlighting the nuanced path forward for golf's fractured landscape.