War in golf is a reality. The PGA Tour has announced the suspension of Jon Rahm after the Spaniard joined Saudi LIV Golf after accepting a 550 million euro offer. Although there were talks for a merger between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Super League, the American circuit put the player into action by notifying him of a temporary suspension. “its association with unauthorized tournaments.”
Currently ranked 18th in the rankings, Rahm’s disappearance from this ranking causes a movement in the circuit that benefits all the players behind him in the rankings. It should be noted that those in the top 50 have the right to compete. eight major tournaments in the circuit. In a statement, the PGA Tour confirmed: “You have been notified in accordance with the legislation. Jon Rahm “Following his involvement in other unauthorized tournaments, he was suspended and no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournaments.”
Rahm wanted to continue playing for the ‘olds’
Barrika, who announced his entry into the Saudi circuit last Thursday, was confident that negotiations between both circuits would allow him to continue playing in major PGA Tour tournaments despite joining the Super League: “I want to keep my cards, if they allow me, with the freedom that LIV gives me.” I could play these periods. There are some PGA tournaments I’d like to play if my schedule allows. “I’ve said many times what the Ryder Cup means to me and I hope I can take part in the future.”
However, the sanction keeps him out of the PGA Tour rankings and he can now only participate in ‘majors’ for which he is eligible to win. Rahm’s idea was to be able to continue playing in the ‘big’ tournaments of the classical circuit until at least 2027. As the winner, he will be eligible to play at Augusta for life and the US Open until 2031.
PGA-LIV Golf Negotiations
This maneuver is understood as a declaration of war, even though both sides have been negotiating a deal and have given a deadline of December 31 to reach an agreement. This gives them the opportunity to design the new competition calendar of the future, either by combining circuits or using a different model. The signing of Rahm by the Saudis was understood as a ploy to ensure closer agreement between the two, as the PGA Tour did not want to lose one of the circuit’s leading players. But the decision to sanction it in line with the circuit’s existing regulations intensifies tensions between both circuits, which are bargaining to find a deal against the clock.
OpenlyLast week, PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan was scheduled to meet with Saudi sovereign fund (PIF) chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan, but the meeting was cancelled. Negotiations are still ongoing and Monahan assured that “reaching an agreement remains a priority goal for the PGA.”
A preliminary agreement was signed last June. This included withdrawing all legal cases the PGA had filed against LIV Golf and circuit-switching golfers. That’s why he’s currently missing the move to remove Rahm. The organizations are expected to form a joint venture in 2024 to manage the business and commercial rights of the new circuit. It was also confirmed that the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) will invest $1 billion (908.6 million euros) in the new company.