Spain’s fifth-ranked Jon Rahm stated on Tuesday he expects extra PGA Tour gamers to exit for Saudi-backed LIV Golf in 2023 and anticipates a tense champions dinner on the Masters.
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Rahm spoke forward of Thursday’s begin of the PGA Tournament of Champions at Kapalua, Hawaii, a choose occasion of event winners of Tour Championship qualifiers.
Rahm, the 2021 US Open champion, predicted extra golfers will go away the PGA regardless of boosted prize cash at chosen occasions for the upper prize cash supplied by LIV Golf.
“I think we all know where we stand,” Rahm stated.
“There are nonetheless going to be gamers that select to transition to LIV is my guess.
“But for a lot of us, I think we see the direction the PGA Tour is going toward. They’re making the necessary changes to adapt to the new age and I think it’s better for everybody.”
The PGA has boosted prize cash at a restricted variety of chosen occasions with an eye fixed to preserving prime expertise from departing the best way British Open champion Cam Smith of Australia did.
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“It’s an exciting year. We’re all curious about how it’s going to work out,” Rahm stated.
“We’re all excited to see how it’s going to unfold.”
The Masters introduced final month it won’t change qualifying standards for the 2023 Masters, guaranteeing LIV Golf gamers will be capable of compete.
That contains a number of latest previous inexperienced jacket winners, together with three-time Masters winner Phil Mickelson, fellow Americans Patrick Reed, Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson; Spain’s Sergio Garcia and South African Charl Schwartzel.
They can be breaking bread with, amongst others, proud PGA proponent Tiger Woods.
And Augusta National chairperson Fred Ridley, whereas not mentioning LIV Golf, made it clear the cut up is an unwelcome improvement.
“Regrettably, recent actions have divided men’s professional golf by diminishing the virtues of the game and the meaningful legacies of those who built it,” Ridley stated.
‘Masters Champions Dinner going to be tense’ – Jon Rahm
Rahm stated he needs he might be a fly on the wall at Augusta National in April for the Masters champions dinner, and never for the fabulous menu previous winners will devour.
“It’s probably only funny to me, but I think the Masters Champions Dinner is going to be a little tense compared to how it has been in the past,” Rahm stated.
“So I keep thinking about it because I wish I could be there and just be able to see how things work out. Too bad the US Open doesn’t have one of those.”
Rahm stated golfers must cope with any private points on the majors.
“I didn’t feel a difference in any of the majors last year,” Rahm stated.
“If someone has an issue with LIV gamers, they’re simply not going to cope with them and that’s about it.
“I respect their choice and the ones I was friends with before I’m still going to be friends with. It doesn’t change the way I’m going to operate with them.”
Rahm says any main points will be averted by gamers staying away from one another, though that might be tougher relying upon the Masters pairings.
“I think a lot of animosity, if there’s any, might be created more by (reporters) more than anything else,” Rahm stated.
“I don’t think there’s that much of a problem between players, at least in person.”
Jon Rahm needs the DP World Tour and PGA of America to get on the identical web page for the Ryder Cup, hoping Europe can win again the trophy in Rome.
“Some people that are going to have to make some tough choices,” Rahm stated.
“My guess is I hope the PGA of America and European Tour make a decision together. I don’t think it would be smart to have one team allowing LIV players and one not.”
By Garrin Lambley © Agence France-Presse
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