More elite players leave for LIV Tour
2024 will be LIV Tour’s third season since the breakaway golf tour was created in 2022. LIV made statement signings in both 2022 and 2023 with major champions Cameron Smith and Jon Rahm both joining the breakaway tour. The deadline between PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund regarding a merger failed to meet an agreement before December 31st, 2023. 2023 DP World Tour Player Of The Year Adrian Meronk joined LIV Tour after playing in the recent Hero Dubai Desert Classic. 2021 Irish Open champion Lucas Herbert has also recently made the decision to leave for LIV Tour.
LIV Tour will have 14 events in 2024 which starts in Mexico on Friday 2nd of February. 2020 BMW PGA Championship and Arnold Palmer Invitational winner Tyrrell Hatton withdrew from AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-AM to join LIV Tour for $65 million. Eight players in the top 100 of World Golf Rankings have joined LIV Tour. The amount of money that LIV Tour have is endless and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they sign more elite players in either February or March.
PGA Tour have increased prize funds to $20,000,000 since LIV Tour was created in 2022. The partner of Wells Fargo Championship will be withdrawing from the event after 2024. There is eight Signature Events on the PGA Tour in 2024 which are The Sentry, AT & T Pebble Beach Pro-AM, The Genesis Invitational, Arnold Palmer Invitational, RBC Heritage, Wells Fargo Championship, The Memorial and Travellers Championship. These Signature Events will rely on world number one Scottie Scheffler and three-time FedEx Cup champion Rory McIlroy participating. Farmers Insurance Open long-term partner will also not be renewing after their contract expires in 2026. The future of PGA Tour is uncertain due to sponsors pulling out of long-term events in the yearly schedule.
DP World Tour is also struggling as CEO Keith Pelley is stepping down in April. Deputy CEO Guy Kinnings will replace Pelley as DP World Tour boss in April. European golfers Rahm, Meronk, Hatton, Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell, Thomas Pieters, Sam Horsfield and Laurie Canter are all participating in LIV Tour’s first event of 2024 in Mexico. Outside the five Rolex Series events DP World Tour are struggling to attract top European players on a regular basis.
PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan needs to speed up negotiations with PIF to protect the future of professional golf. If an agreement drags on the fear is that not many players will be left on both the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. only 20 players from the top 50 of World Golf Rankings participated in PGA Tour’s recent Farmers Insurance Open. The fields for both PGA Tour and DP World Tour events has weakened since the breakaway tour was created in 2022. LIV has disrupted the world of professional golf in both 2022,2023 & 2024 and it needs to come to an end soon. Hopefully an agreement is finalised between both PGA Tour and PIF before The Masters in April.