Collin Morikawa Denies Golfer Will Leave PGA Tour for LIV Despite Rumors

Collin Morikawa will not become the latest PGA Tour golfer to defect for LIV Golf.

"The rumors about Collin are categorically false," Morikawa's agent, Andrew Kipper, added to Dan Rapaport of Golf Digest.

Last week, Jeff Kimber of Golf Monthly reported that a group of golfers, including Morikawa, were considering a move to LIV. Brooks Koepka, one of the names on that list, became the latest defector Tuesday, per Mark Schlabach of ESPN.

Abraham Ancer is also reportedly set to join the fledging golf tour.

LIV Golf has landed several high-profile names with promises of massive payouts and initial signing bonuses. Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson and Bryson DeChambeau are some of the sport's most notable stars to defect, receiving a subsequent PGA Tour ban.

The LIV tour has generated controversy because of its financial backing from the Saudi Arabia government. Saudi officials have been accused of numerous human rights violations, including involvement in the assassination of Washington Post journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018.

Golfers who left for LIV Golf have largely deflected any questions about the Saudi government and accusations of "sportswashing."

In February, Mickelson apologized for comments he made admitting the Saudis have a "horrible record on human rights" but expressing support for the new tour because of the changes it could make for golf. Mickelson took several months off competitive golf after the comments before making his return as part of the LIV tour.