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It cannot be denied that Jon Rahm was the hardest nut to crack for LIV Golf! But, in the end, the Saudi-funded league succeeded! With him now, they have collected one of the strongest players that was on the PGA Tour. However, their next season is still at a distance of one month, and the tour might try to secure a few other strong players from its rival league.

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However, Tony Finau, Viktor Hovland, and Ludvig Aberg have shut down all the rumors of them shifting to the LIV, but this doesn’t necessarily mean that the backway league is done trying to poach them. Will a good offer from LIV or substantial changes in the format be something that would finally push these pros off the edge and make them land on the other side?

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Is LIV Golf not ready to give up on Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg?

Hovland has emerged as the breakthrough player this year. By winning the FedExCup Play-Off and Tour Championship, he has cemented himself as one of the top golfers on the PGA Tour. So it is no surprise that LIV is trying hard to get him. However, in his latest appearance on the Fore Podcast, he expressed his thoughts on the matter.

If I had gone to LIV, I don’t think I would have become a better golfer, and then it is, in a way, the end of the discussion,” said the Norwegian star. But at the same time, he also blasted the PGA Tour for its poor management. He criticized the authorities for not acting well and also expressed that he understood why Rahm opted to defect. If the golfer’s discontent with the PGAT continues, LIV might continue their pursuit of Hovland with a better offer.

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Sweden’s Ludvig Aberg was the latest name to turn down the offer of the Saudi Tour, citing “red flags” as the reason. Appearing on the Eurosport podcast this week, he said that he is “super confident” about playing on the PGA Tour. Speaking about the rival tour, he said, “There were a number of red flags, which is not good. When I look back, I am very confident in my decision. I will never chase money.”

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The 24-year-old turned all eyes toward himself when he landed his first PGAT win within six months of turning pro. LIV doesn’t want to miss on such beaming talent and is making efforts to get him on its side. Despite Aberg’s resistance to LIV’s money, the chances are that the Saudi League will continue to pursue him!

Viktor Hovland and Ludvig Aberg are not the only two pros that LIV Golf would probably continue their quest for. Tony Finau also sits tightly on the list of golfers that the rival league wishes to have on its side.

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Will LIV Golf continue approaching Tony Finau?

After Rahm switched ships, Tony Finau’s name was considered the next to follow him. The rumors about him leaving got so out of hand that the golfer himself had to make a solid statement. In a special Instagram post, he wrote, “I’m excited for 2024 and looking forward to playing my 10th season on the PGA Tour!”. But people on the other side have not given up on the idea of him. LIV Golf’s Su-Ann Heng said in the Fairway to Heaven podcast, “Finau is putting that post up. That doesn’t mean he’s not coming over.”

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Also Read: Fact Check: Jon Rahm Resigned from DP World Tour Post His $566M Signing

She added that they had seen a few players who denied earlier, but when they got a better offer, they jumped immediately. But LIV is not the one to give in. We have learned that from players like Brooks Koepka and Rahm, who relentlessly criticized the Saudi Tour while playing on the PGAT. But ultimately, the tour managed to get them with the help of some very tantalizing packages. Could they break these players in the same manner? Only time will tell!

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Watch this story – Tiger Woods’ Upcoming League Boosted by the PGA Tour and a Tour Pro Pose a Huge Threat to LIV Golf 

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Shafaque Taha

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As a Senior Golf Writer-turned-Analyst, Shafaque Taha has had quite a journey at EssentiallySports. Her rise through the ranks and published pieces showcase her extensive passion and intricate understanding of the sport. Shafaque is working towards taking the Golf Division to new heights in her Content Analyst role by picking up on trends early on and finding niche and never-before-seen angles for readers. Shafaque has a knack for covering multiple angles of podcasts in depth. She is most proud of her piece, "15 Years After His Triumph, PGA Tour Pro Makes a ‘Difficult’ Confession About Tiger Woods," which garnered massive attention from golf readers.Shafaque holds a master’s degree in English literature and spends her downtime reading ‘classics’ like Jane Austen’s handiwork.

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Riya Singhal

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