3 Times LIV Golf Shut Down Tiger Woods, Jay Monahan and Co as PGA Tour Merger Reportedly Gets Delayed

The PGA Tour and its loyalists were proven to be wrong this year. Whether they mistook LIV Golf for a fad that would die out this year or when they promised the PIF-PGAT to be finalized by December 31st, it’s clear that the Tour has seen a few mishaps in 2023. While there may be tons of such errors, both big and small, three incidents during the year have stood out.

1. Jon Rahm’s defection

Looking at the Spaniard’s stance on the LIV and PGA Tour debate over the years, his joining LIV Golf now is a serious blow to Jay Monahan’s side, since it implies that top players can leave at any time! In 2022, John Rahm declared his “fealty” to the PGA Tour. A year later, in August, he even went on to say that he “never liked the format.”

Three months later, in December, he surprised everyone, arguably himself included and joined LIV Golf. Accepting his reported $566 million contract, the former Tour star proved many on that side wrong, including his close friend, Rory McIlroy, who once declared Rahm to be a “PGA Tour player” and loyal to their side.

As per reports, the recruitment of Rahm was after the LIV and the PGA agreed to drop a provision that forbids the poaching of golfers from either organization.

2. Tiger Woods & Jay Monahan’s stance on the merger’s deadline

The $3 billion merger announced between the PIF and PGA Tour, which was first announced on June 6th, was supposed to be finalized on December 31st. There was some speculation of its delay, but PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan was quick to call the set deadline a “firm target” at the NYT DealBook Summit.

Tiger Woods also reiterated the same timeframe. “As of right now, that is our time frame [December 31] and our deadline,” he said.

However, now the deadline is reportedly set to change. As per ‘The Telegraph’, a source has confirmed that the said deadline will be extended to somewhere before the 2024 Masters, hence nullifying the Tour’s side’s statements and proving them wrong yet again.

3. Deeming LIV Golf dead

When LIV Golf was introduced in 2022, there were some harsh comments made by many PGA Tour pros about the players who jumped ship, the format, and everything in between. Among those who fired shots was probably one of the biggest Tour loyalists, Rory McIlroy. However, things didn’t turn around well for him.

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The 4x major champ called the LIV Golf “dead in water” and asked, “Who’s left to go? I mean, there’s no one.” Tour veteran Billy Horschel too had chimed in, calling the players “Hypocrites” and stating that their suspension was considered suitable.

Less than a year later, however, the PGA Tour itself opted for a merger. And now the world No. 3, Jon Rahm, too has joined LIV’s ranks, proving that the Saudi side is far from dead!

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