The PGA Tour & LIV Golf have a hilarious way of showing their unity.
When the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund and the Tour of the United States reached an “framework agreement” six months ago to finance LIV Golf it was stated that both parties would not poach the other’s players. The Justice Department removed the language on their recommendation because it raised antitrust concerns. The PGA Tour, however, was unconcerned, stating that it was unnecessary as “all parties were negotiating in good-faith.”
How did that turn out?
The No. On Fox News, the No. This is a huge win for LIV but there’s something different about the signing.
It appears that LIV has all the leverage. Justin Rose’s fears are the worst thing for the PGA. He said that it would be bad if the trickle-down effects started.
Rose, speaking at the Grant Thornton Invitational, said: “I think many people will be wondering how he can leave when we’re supposed to merge.” “But I do not think that is the case.”
The PGA Tour isn’t a problem because of Rahm. The guys who demand Saudi-sized cash for staying are the biggest problem.
The signing of the Spanish superstar comes just weeks before the deadline for finalizing the PGA/LIV contract on Dec. 31. This news is even more concerning because the deadline has already been pushed back according to recent reports.
Rahm’s contract is reportedly worth more than $300m over three years. With bonuses, this number could reach more than $550m.
The PGA Tour purse for 2023 is $460 million.
According to reports, the PIF invested $1 billion to 2 billion dollars in the PGA Tour under the agreement. It has already spent more than $2 billion on LIV and received little or no return.
Why would PIF spend more than a half-billion dollars on a single player if the PGA Tour deal is successful?
It’s about LIV gaining leverage, whether or not a deal is signed. LIV will continue to operate the same way it did in its first two years, even if the PGA Tour is the umbrella under which it operates. If a deal cannot be reached, then the league will do what many originally thought, and that is to double down in its fight against the PGA Tour.
This is LIV’s biggest signing ever, larger than Brooks Koepka and Cameron Smith. The timing was the main reason for this.
LIV’s reputation continued to decline, despite a first year haul of PGA Tour stars that exceeded expectations. Sponsors are slow to sign on. The television deal was a joke. The league has struggled to convince people of its unique format and team concept. The Official World Golf Ranking board also dealt a major blow to LIV by refusing their application for points.
The league had promised to add more big names during the offseason a year earlier. Those were Thomas Pieters Mito Pereira Sebastian Munoz Brendan Steele.
Rahm is not a household name and it hasn’t received the same significant upgrade as other names.
This is what prompted Smith to make this admission at the Masters last year.
He said: “I will be the first to admit that the (LIV), fields are not as strong.”
Since 2015, LIV golfers won 14 majors.
LIV has a lot of work to do, but the addition of Rahm helps close this gap. LIV has won 14 majors since 2015, including Rahm’s two.
(Photo: Michael Madrid-USA TODAY Network) Jon Rahm receives the green jacket for winning the 2023 Masters. (Photo by Michael Madrid, USA TODAY Network).
Rahm’s move is similar to many others made by golfers who have trashed LIV and claimed that their reason for playing was legacy and tradition, not money.
Rahm is entitled to choose the tour he likes and earn as much as he wishes. He can also insist that he doesn’t “play golf for money”.
Rahm stated, “I owe it to my family to provide them with the best resources and opportunities possible.” “And this is where it comes in.” It was a major factor in the decision.
Obviously.
Rahm, unlike many of his peers does not need to be concerned about his ranking in the world. Rahm’s win in the Masters 2023 gives him a place in all four majors in the following five years and the Masters forever.
Rahm, along with Dustin Johnson and Bryson deChambeau, is the sixth LIV player to receive an exemption for all four majors by 2024.
His spot on Ryder Cup Teams could be at risk. Under the current rules he’s ineligible to play in future Ryder Cups. Rory McIlroy said Thursday that the European Tour would have to “rewrite” the rules to allow Rahm the opportunity to play Bethpage in 2025.
Rahm is as vocal as anyone else about his desire for a PGA Tour career, saying that “there’s a legacy” and his desire “to play against the best of the world.”
Rahm told reporters on Thursday that he was “very happy.” “But LIV Golf offers a lot that was very appealing.”
The majority of these are green.
