Tiger Woods, along with his fellow player directors, penned a letter to the PGA Tour membership to address the frenzy surrounding Jon Rahm’s potential move to LIV Golf.
Speculation about Rahm switching to the breakaway league has grown stronger in recent weeks. With no denial from Rahm’s camp, the talk of an astronomical $600m (£470m) signing-on fee has only fueled the rumors.
Meanwhile, merger negotiations continue between the PGA Tour and the Saudi sovereign wealth fund – the $600bn treasure chest backing LIV – adding further confusion and unease amongst golfers.
Woods and the other pros on the Tour’s policy board have sought to reassure the players with a memo insisting they are working to secure the PGA Tour’s future. However, details in the message were limited, revealing the high level of involvement of six player representatives on the policy board.
Rahm’s Possible Departure
The possibility of Rahm’s defection has thrown the golfing world into uncertainty, especially with a Dec 31 deadline for a deal approaching. The US Congress’s readiness to investigate any alliance with a foreign organization further complicates the situation.
Despite LIV insiders’ claims of no talks with Rahm, the golfer’s silence raises eyebrows. Rahm publicly pledged loyalty to the PGA Tour in February last year, but now, his camp’s reticence marks a stark contrast.
Jordan Spieth, another player on the policy board, expressed his hopes that Rahm stays, but acknowledged that the decision is ultimately out of his hands.
Woods added that he would be ‘surprised’ if Rahm joined the renegade circuit, pointing out the ever-changing scenario in the golfing world.
Both Woods and Spieth are currently competing in the Hero World Challenge in the Bahamas with Spieth sharing the lead after two rounds.
