Thomas Pieters joined LIV in 2023. (Image: Getty)
When in 2016, Darren Clarke’s European team were humbled by Team USA in Hazeltine, but at least they could take solace from the emergence of a new star. On his rookie appearance, Belgian player Thomas Pieters had proved an isolated success story in the 17-11 defeat, the top scorer over the three days with four points and appearing fearless in the face of a hostile home crowd.
At the time, Pieters was just 24-years-old, and it was assumed success would follow. Indeed, a fourth-placed finish at the US Masters six months later further underlined his growing potential.
Fast forward eight years however, and not only have there been no further Ryder Cup appearances, but that effort at Augusta remains his best effort at a major championship.
Although his current career has proved lucrative. Despite his loss of form, Pieters was targeted by and moved to the Saudi-backed venture in January 2023, citing the reduced schedule.
But while a host of rebel players have voiced their displeasure at being barred from and DP World Tour events, it appears Pieters has no desire to benefit form the best of both worlds. In fact, he’s threatened to retire from the sport if his LIV contract is terminated as opposed to returning to the status quo.
“Honestly, I couldn’t play 25 to 30 events a year. I think I’d quit,” he told bunkered. “It was a big part of me coming over having young kids and having more time at home. At first I thought I could spend all that time practising and now you look after your kids and practice.”
The Belgian was a revelation at the 2016 Ryder Cup. (Image: Getty)
Despite admitting he would accept an invite to play in another Ryder Cup match, it appears the notion is hardly one that Pietersen craves. In fact, he was disparaging when asked about his desire to again don the yellow and blue in golf’s most iconic team event.
“When I quit golf in five or ten years, my kids won’t care how many times I’ve won or how many times I’ve played in the Ryder Cup,” he said. “It’s selfish if I want to win and play that many Ryder Cups.
“It’s not going to change me as a person. I care about it, but not as much as everybody thinks I do. My kids are going to outlive my golf performance by a long way. I care about golf but it’s not my life.”
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Ironically, at the time of Pietersen’s move, he was enjoying a resurgence in form and had risen to No.34 in the world rankings. But he’s yet to win in LIV Golf, and has not played in a major since the 2023 at Hoylake.
His latest showing was an 11th-placed finish at the rebel event in Chicago. That left him 30th in the overall LIV standings for the 2024 season.