Latest Jon Rahm Decisions Prove Beneficial for PGA Tour Pros but Paints a Devastating Picture About the LIV Golf Merger

Many are eagerly awaiting news on the $3 billion merger. Correction! Make that ‘good news’. This has been especially so among many following Jon Rahm’s defection to LIV Golf and his subsequent suspension from the PGA Tour. However, it seems those anticipating the same have something to worry about yet again.

A recent post on X has raked in a lot of attention as it pointed out that the men’s circuit is taking a drastic step against defectors. Moreover, they did so while factoring out players like Rahm and Phil Mickelson from a list, all the while throwing concern over the future of the merger!

LIV golfers, including Jon Rahm, excluded from the PGA Tour list

A tweet shared by Flushing It divulged how Rahm, with $51,546,651, has been “scrubbed from the PGA Tour’s career money list.” It comes as nothing short of a surprise, particularly when the Spaniard has not hit “a shot on LIV yet.” Besides, the post also mentions how such a removal of the players on the Saudi-backed Tour from the same paints a concerning picture despite “reports from the PGA Tour side” disclosing how they are supposedly “close to a deal.”

But Bob Harig was quick to respond to the same by sharing the post along with an update on his X handle. The golf writer tried to clear up the misunderstanding by revealing how the circuit keeps two lists, one of which is a “good thing for PGA Tour players” since it allows them to “move up” the ranks. This is true since the top 50 and 25 players in career earnings get a one-time exemption each to keep a tour card for a single season. All for the benefit of the ‘other players’.

Harig also pointed out how there is yet another “career earnings” list. Continuing with his response, he disclosed how the circuit has an index “that includes guys like Phil and Rahm who are no longer on the PGA Tour.” An all-time official earnings list, to be precise.

Nevertheless, such an exclusion does throw some shade over the whole LIV Golf merger fiasco. It just adds to the chaos, especially for those who followed the delay of the deadline from the target of December 31.

The delay in the merger deadline

Jay Monahan had, before the start of the Sentry, shared an update regarding the framework agreement. He mentioned how “meaningful progress” has been made while alluding to how the deal has reached its final stages. However, the official also announced an extension to the target date, which was earlier mentioned, while emphasizing the “need” to do so.

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Adding on, Monahan reiterated the importance of bringing in SSG, PIF, and the European Tours as “minority co-investors.” Moreover, they would be doing so in the PGA Tour Enterprises that would be formed in 2024 following the agreement, allowing the game to “benefit the players, fans, and sponsors.”

It truly is a confusing and chaotic time for the community in the golfing world. Be that as it may, if everything does work out well, it would be as the commissioner said; it would indubitably benefit the future of the sport.

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