12 March 2024 , 17:26
668
0
The PGA Tour are seemingly well aware that they could set to lose more star golfers from their tour to LIV Golf after Jon Rahm's £450 million move.
The 2023 Masters winner made a shock switch to LIV Golf in December after initially stating he had no intentions to move and wanted to stay on the PGA Tour. However, LIV Golf continued to offer the Spaniard bigger pay packages before eventually accepting a monster deal to sign - with the entity continuing to try and coax other PGA Tour players to make the move.
Commissioner of the PGA, Jay Monahan was asked about Rahm leaving the PGA Tour and the potential of further players heading to LIV, by responding with: "I'm only worried about things I can control," before being asked again in a different manner before stating: "I just answered your question."
Rahm was one of the biggest names to stay with the PGA Tour, before making the move, with some concerns that Rory McIlroy could eventually decide to sign with LIV - despite being extremely critical of the Saudi-backed league in the past.
READ MORE: Jon Rahm finally comes clean on main factor behind LIV Golf move and PGA Tour exit
Bubba Watson shares details of horror knee injury ahead of LIV Golf debut
READ MORE: LIV Golf stars 'want to come back' to PGA Tour as bombshell claim emerges
In recent weeks, McIlroy has softened his stance on the breakaway league while removing himself from the off-course politics after resigning from the PGA Tour's Policy Board.
In February, McIlroy claimed those who had made a move to LIV Golf should be welcomed back to the PGA Tour without punishment, in quotes which raised some eyebrows about the Northern Irishman's future with him being critical of the PGA.
After making his move to LIV Golf, Rahm admitted that the finances involved played a part in him making the decision to leave the PGA Tour - sending a message to other players who might be considering the same.
Jay Monahan is seemingly aware he could lose more players to LIVRahm said in a sit-down interview with ESPN : "I don’t want to skip through this point cause there’s no point, there’s a big change in the way the golfers get compensated. I’d be lying if it wasn’t a big part of it. In a nutshell, I’m getting paid more to play the same sport and have more time. I don't know about most people but that sounds good to me."
These quotes came less than two years after he declared he would not leave the PGA Tour, when he said: "I am officially declaring my fealty to the PGA Tour. I’m a PAC member, and I have a lot of belief in Jay Monahan and the product that they’re going to give us in the future. There has been a lot of talk and speculation about the Saudi League. It’s just not something I believe is the best for me and my future in golf, and I think the best legacy I can accomplish will be with the PGA Tour."
Monahan continues to hope that top-ranked golfers who remain on the PGA stick with the tour, amid the talks of a merger with LIV.