Despite ongoing discussions between the PGA Tour and the PIF, LIV Golf’s hierarchy continues to target some of the sport’s biggest names.
Tony Finau was heavily linked with LIV Golf earlier this week. The 35-year-old has since shut down rumours that he’s ready to call time on his PGA Tour career. 2013 Masters winner Adam Scott is another rumoured LIV target, although it’s purely online speculation surrounding the Aussie who currently sits on the PGA Tour Policy Board.
Golf Channel pundit Smylie Kaufman has also suggested another mystery PGA Tour player could soon join the Saudi-backed venture.
All of this comes at a time when efforts are reportedly being made to address the division that arose two and a half years ago when LIV opened its doors at Centurion Club in London. Jason Sobel, host of SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio, has suggested that LIV may now be gaining an advantage over the PGA Tour.
LIV Golf seek leverage over PGA Tour
Speaking during the latest First Cut Golf Podcast, Sobel discussed the recent rumours linking some PGA Tour players with LIV Golf deals.
“I think that is the bigger puzzle piece to all this It isn’t just who are the names and who might leave to LIV at this time of year. It’s ‘hey, we have been having ongoing negotiations. We have a framework agreement. We are playing in Pro-Ams together. We are getting together in all these different places, and yet LIV still feels like they are trying to pull some players away from the PGA Tour,” Sobel said.
“Maybe it’s a leverage play, or maybe it’s just that in case this falls through, we want to get the best players we can. But I think it’s very interesting that we keep hearing about some deal that may be in place or going to be in place, but LIV is still moving forward as if business as usual, and we are still going to try and take players away.”
SiriusXM PGA Tour Radio host added: “Whether its Tony Finau or a couple of names who have been floated out there, the bigger names they take the worst it is for the PGA Tour.
“I think this week’s Hero World Challenge to me is a great representation of what has happened in golf over the last three years because I have covered this event in the past in the Bahamas and it used to be 20 of the top 27, 28, 29 players in the world.
“You look at the list now – and I know Rory doesn’t usually play, Xander is not there this year, Hovland is not there, Morikawa is not there – all of a sudden, it’s Scottie Scheffler and meh. It’s pretty good, and no offence to those players playing this week, but it looks very watered down.
“But you come to think of it, and that’s just what the PGA product is like these days. There is not a whole lot of superstars left, and if LIV keeps stealing them away, the cover is getting bear!”
LIV Golf spaces still need filling
Sobel’s comments come at a time when several LIV Golf teams are seeking new signings for the 2025 season.
Jon Rahm’s Legion XIII lost Kieran Vincent after the Team Championship in Dallas. Finau looked like the ideal replacement, but with the Salt Lake City native now set to remain on the PGA Tour, Rahm could be forced to look elsewhere.
Given the Spaniard’s status within the game and previous ties to the PGA Tour, it wouldn’t come as a surprise to see another big-name golfer targetted in the coming weeks.
Elsewhere, the RangeGoats need to replace Thomas Pieters after his move to the 4Aces. Former captain Bubba Watson is also battling to regain his spot in the league after finishing in the drop zone last season.
If the two-time Masters winner fails to regain status, another addition for the RangeGoats is on the cards.
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