Jon Rahm reportedly contemplating LIV supply of round $600m; USA pair Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele two extra names which have been tied to LIV rumours; Woods: “Hypothetically would it not shock me? Sure, however there’s so many alternative issues which have occurred”
Final Up to date: 02/12/23 12:04am
Jon Rahm has been linked with a transfer to LIV, with Tiger Woods saying the rumours ‘shock’ him
Tiger Woods says he could be shocked if rumours that a number of big-name gamers are on the verge of signing with LIV Golf show to be true.
Some media experiences have prompt Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion and world’s No 3-ranked participant, is weighing a suggestion of round $600m to signal with the Saudi-backed league. United States Ryder Cup stalwarts Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele are two extra names which have been tied to LIV rumours.
With out being requested about particular gamers, Woods was requested if the rumours shock him.
“Hypothetically would it not shock me? Sure, however there’s so many alternative issues which have occurred within the final 48 hours, but in addition in the previous couple of weeks,” Woods stated after his second spherical on the Hero World Problem within the Bahamas. “Issues have modified and can proceed to vary.”
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan stated earlier this week {that a} December 31 deadline to finalise an settlement with the Public Funding Fund and the DP World Tour stays “a agency goal”.
“Our deadline’s arising right here quickly, so there’s numerous transferring elements,” Woods stated. “Lots of various things are taking place in a short time as a result of we all know, you already know, I feel right now’s the primary day in December. We do not have a complete lot of time.”
Woods, who had no data of the framework settlement on the time of the announcement in June, has since joined the PGA Tour’s Coverage Board as a participant director. In the meantime, Rory McIlroy left the board and was not too long ago changed by Jordan Spieth.
Woods as an alternative most well-liked to deal with the upcoming deadline for golf’s merger between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and PIF
Spieth, who’s tied for the lead at Albany Golf Membership, acknowledged that shedding Rahm to LIV could be an enormous blow to the PGA Tour.
“I am undecided particularly how it could influence these negotiations, however all in all, Jon Rahm is without doubt one of the largest property that now we have on the PGA Tour,” he stated.
“So it could be actually not excellent for us normally as a result of we wish to play towards the very best gamers on the earth and that is what Jon is.
“I do know there’s been some guys which have talked to him. I do know he is possibly weighing some choices, possibly not. I actually do not know, so I do not wish to insult him and say he is weighing choices if he already is aware of he is not or he’s. You realize, that is considerably out of my management in a means.
“Clearly, I may converse most likely on behalf of 200-plus PGA Tour gamers in saying that we actually hope that he is persevering with with us.”
Jordan Spieth, who has joined the PGA Tour’s Coverage Board as a participant director, says Rahm transferring to LIV would ‘actually not be excellent’
Scottie Scheffler stated this week that he is “extraordinarily grateful” for Woods’ involvement, and the world’s No 1-ranked participant is within the Bahamas competing in his first stroke play occasion for the reason that Tour Championship. Noticeably absent, nonetheless, are Rahm, Cantlay and Schauffele.
Rahm didn’t decide to this 12 months’s occasion, whereas Cantlay and Schauffele withdrew final month, additional fueling hypothesis they could be part of LIV.
Rahm additionally not too long ago pulled out of the Woods and McIlroy backed TGL, citing the time dedication, though the league has since delayed its debut till 2025 after the roof of its facility collapsed and triggered injury. Cantlay and Schauffele are among the many marquee gamers who had dedicated to the league.
Whereas acknowledging the rumours swirling, Woods sidestepped a second query about whether or not he’d be shocked by extra marquee defections to LIV.
“Nothing has actually shocked me aside from the truth that there’s so many alternative issues which have occurred so quick,” he stated. “That is one of many issues that every one of our – all of us as player-directors we have been engaged on, simply that all the things is now at a time crunch.
“It is 24 hours a day simply making an attempt to determine it out.”