John Murphy exclusive
A strange six months off the course for men’s professional golf since merger between PIF, DP World Tour and PGA Tour was announced in June. With 2023 coming to an end PIF and PGA Tour are still no closer to agreeing a deal. Murphy reveals the reaction from DP World Tour players in June after merger with PIF and PGA Tour was confirmed. “A lot of confusion when it first came out everybody thought it was a joke”.
Greg Norman and LIV Golf made a statement as 2023 Masters champion Jon Rahm joined the breakaway tour for a contract worth £450 million in December. “Rahm made a decision that was good for him”, said Murphy. Rahm qualifies automatically for the US Open until 2031 after his win at Torrey Pines in 2021. “The one thing that Rahm has in his corner that he gets into all the majors for the next 10 years” said Murphy.
There is rumours of Viktor Hovland joining LIV Tour and an agreement between PIF & PGA Tour is vital to stop more elite players from leaving. “I think the players have to sit back and see what happens”, said Irish professional golfer. The outcome of agreement is massive because next season PGA Tour will potentially be without major champions Rahm, Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson, Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed and Brooks Koepka. “It’s important that the best players in the world compete together on a weekly basis”, said Murphy.
The other talking point in the world of golf is that golf balls will be rolled back from January 2028 for elite players. “I haven’t looked into it but a few years to build it in.”, said Murphy. Murphy believes that rolling back the golf ball won’t change long hitting due to technology in golf clubs and gym training. “It might give the longer hitters an extra advantage”.
15 time major champion Tiger Woods played his first tournament in seven months at the recent Hero World Challenge. “Tiger Woods playing makes the game better and a lot more entertaining”, said Murphy. Woods also finished in a tie for fifth with his son Charley in PNC Championship. “If he was to come back this time it would be beyond a miracle”, said Murphy. Woods has confirmed that he is planning to play one tournament a month in 2024.
Murphy played with Tom McKibbin in 2022 at the Irish Challenge. “It’s fantastic to see Tom be successful”. McKibbin had a memorable 2023 as he won his first DP World Tour event at the Porsche European Open. Padraig Harrington has won three majors and has been very successful since joining the Champions Tour, he is one of the reasons why Murphy started to play golf. “When I started to play the game my idol was Padraig Harrington and it was a fantastic opportunity to play with him this year”, said Murphy.