Jon Rahm’s exodus to LIV Golf has sparked rumours regarding who might follow the reigning Masters champ to the Saudi-backed circuit, with one European media outlet reporting Tony Finau as a potential mover.
After his round at the Grant Thornton Invitational Friday, Finau addressed the speculation… while not necessarily dispelling it.
“I have nothing to say right now,” Finau told reporters, according to the Palm Beach Post. “I haven’t heard anything.”
Spanish website Ten Golf posted a story earlier this week stating Finau and Ryder Cupper Tyrrell Hatton may join Rahm ahead of LIV Golf’s third season in 2024. Both Finau and Hatton have previously been linked with LIV Golf due to their past participation in the Saudi International, which is supported by LIV’s financial backer, Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.
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When asked later if he had a response to his name being floated in rumours, Finau added, “No, not yet. I haven’t let anything marinate other than just playing right now.”
In a 2022 Golf Digest interview, Finau was asked about his thoughts on why he initially turned down LIV’s overtures. “I probably shouldn’t go into specifics,” Finau said.
“There are so many layers to this. The temperature in the golfing world has been extremely hot. It’s changed the landscape of our game, and I don’t believe it’s been for the good. Competition is healthy, and so it’s not terrible that it’s forced the PGA Tour to re-examine some of its operations. I’ve always been a believer in working inward, not looking outward to a source for help. I’ve been shocked by how many guys jumped ship to LIV. I understand the monetary gain can be hard to resist, but I’ve always been grateful to be a PGA Tour member. I remember how hard I fought to become one. As a kid, I never dreamt about making $100 million. I dreamt about making a putt that meant everything.”
Finau, 34, has six career PGA Tour wins, four of which have come since July 2022. He has made two appearances for the United States in both the Ryder Cup and Presidents Cup, and is 21st in the Official World Golf Ranking.
Does Jon Rahm to LIV make a PGA Tour/PIF deal inevitable? Or impossible?
The PGA Tour and PIF have a self-imposed deadline of December 31 to finish negotiations regarding a potential partnership following their surprise framework agreement. The tour, however, has also been seeking investment from private equity groups, possibly to appease antitrust regulators but also, theoretically, as an alternative to the Saudi money. The tour and PIF can agree to move the deadline back.
