Swafford was one of the original players who left the PGA Tour for LIV Golf. He wants to play Tour golf again, but there is no clear avenue for a return.
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HudsonSwafford,theembodimentofthehypotheticalquestionthathasconsumedprofessionalgolffornearly2½years,watchedlastmonth’sPGATourfallfinalewithamixtureofenvyandrelief.
“Iwouldn’twanttobeplayingtoday,”SwaffordlaughedasthefieldattheRSMClassicenduredbrutallycoldconditionsandwindsthatgustedofftheAtlanticOceanto30mph.“Imissseeingalotofmybuddies,forsure,missplayingathome.Maybenottheweatherthey’rehavingtoday.Timehealsalotofthings,forsure.”
SeaIslandGolfClubisjustafewmilesfromwhereSwaffordlivesonSt.SimonsIsland,Georgia,butonthisblusterydaythePGAToureventmayaswellhavebeenonanotherplanet.
Swaffordwasoneoftheoriginal17playerssuspendedbyTourcommissionerJayMonahaninJune2022,shortlyafterparticipatinginthefirstLIVGolfInvitationalSeriesevent,forviolatingthecircuit’spolicesonconflictingeventandmediarightsreleases.
Fromthatfirstwaveofsuspensions,theunansweredque