The LIV tour is nothing that interests Jon Rahm at all. That’s how it sounded to the Spaniard last year. Rahm “wanted to play against the best in the world in a format that has existed for hundreds of years”. Rhetorically, he asked the question if 400 million dollars would make him change his lifestyle, and the answer he gave himself: “No, not in the slightest.”
Today, Jon Rahm is still a LIV player. According to media reports, he was paid somewhere between $400 and $600 million to chalk up the Saudi-funded breakout tour.
Confederation captain Katarina Vangdal do not like the development in men’s golf. That the LIV tour is seen as a typical example of “sportswashing” is just one of several reasons.
– Those in LIV talk about “growing the game”, but what in this concept does that do? I can’t see any connection in the game growing when a huge amount of money – I think it’s about indefensible sums – ends up with a few male golfers, she says.
– And from a sporting perspective, we want the best players in the same place, all sports want that. But that’s not where we are right now, except in the majors then. As divided as it is now, and has been for a while, I think is devastating for golf.
Katarina Vangdal. Archive image. Photo: Björn Lindgren/TT
Still the LIV tour has had difficulty attracting viewers. Other tours have at the same time been watered down when the stars have left.
At the beginning of the summer, the bombshell was dropped that the PGA Tour, the European Tour and Pif – the Saudi government investment fund behind LIV – had buried the hatchet. A completed cooperation agreement between the parties would be ready by the end of the year at the latest.
Now the New Year is near and negotiations are said to be ongoing. Whether an agreement is also close remains to be seen. According to Golf Digest, on the one hand, there are sources who see Jon Rahm as a mere bargaining chip in the game from the Saudis, who want to push through an agreement by grabbing the Spanish star. On the other hand, the newspaper refers to sources within the PGA tour, who see the “purchase” of Rahm as a declaration of war that may make it difficult for the parties to come to an agreement.
Swedish professional player Marcus Kinhult, a regular on the European Tour, believes the signing of key Rahm could increase the chances of a deal. Maybe so that LIV can somehow live a parallel life in harmony with the other tours.
Marcus Kinhult. Archive image. Photo: Grant Winter/TT
– I think there is a chance that it will somehow end up in it. Absolutely, it would be better than what we have now with suspensions and bans, says the 27-year-old and adds that he thinks it is “distorted that money unfortunately controls so much”.
– But I think everyone hopes that it will be a clear platform for the highest level. Right now, the world number three is in one place and the world number two somewhere else. There are certainly majors where all the best get to meet, but it is a little too rare.
Rahm is currently suspended on the PGA Tour. Under current rules, the 29-year-old would also not be allowed to be part of Europe’s Ryder Cup team in 2025. Rory McIlroy is one of the most outspoken critics of the LIV tour, but has already come out and said that the rules surrounding the Ryder Cup must be changed and that Jon Rahm will be part of the European team in the future as well.
Marcus Kinhult is of the same opinion:
– If Rahm were to sit at home on the TV sofa when it’s the Ryder Cup at Bethpage, it would feel strange. It’s perhaps the ultimate example, where fans expect the top twelve from each continent to be there. If you don’t have that, it’s probably a very risky situation, that interest cools off.
Fakta.LIV tour
LIV Golf is the official name of the new golf tour that started in 2022 and competes with the established PGA Tour in the United States and the European Tour.
The LIV tour is funded by Saudi Arabia’s State Investment Fund. The country is accused of trying to wash away its reputation through sports (“sportswashing”) when it comes to, for example, human rights.
The biggest names chosen to play on the tour are John Rahm, Brooks Koepka, Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Sergio Garcia and Bryson DeChambeau.
All are suspended from play on the PGA Tour.
When Swedish major winner Henrik Stenson switched to the LIV tour, he was stripped of his role as team captain for Europe’s Ryder Cup team. In addition, the Swedish Golf Association broke off its cooperation with the Swede, who is Sweden’s most successful golfer on the men’s side.
In addition to large prize money, the biggest stars have been attracted with large sign-on bonuses. John Rahm, for example, is said to have received at least 4 billion kroner to take the step over.
The competitions on the LIV tour are played over 54 holes, without a qualification limit, with 48 players divided into twelve four-man teams.
The premier competition in 2024 will be played February 2-4 in Mayakoba, Mexico.
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2023-12-18 10:27:42
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