Apparently, Tony Finau is in talks to join LIV Golf.
Following Rahm’s high-profile departure from the PGA Tour on Thursday, the American might be the next well-known figure to depart.
Several sources suggest that Tony Finau may be the next big star to depart the PGA Tour and join the LIV Golf League.
According to The Telegraph, Finau may be in line for a nearly $70 million agreement and has already started talks about joining Jon Rahm’s unidentified LIV Golf squad as the second player, following the Spaniard’s shocking defection on Thursday.
The 34-year-old claimed $5,867,652 in prize money after winning the Houston Open and the Mexico Open in the previous season, missing only four cuts overall. He only succeeded in one top-10 however, after success in Mexico in late-April and recorded a best finish of T26 at a Major (The Masters).
When Finau and Rahm weren’t competing on the PGA Tour, they frequently practiced together as they are neighbors in Arizona. In the event that the World No. 21 agrees to a move, the two would reunite before the 2024 campaign on the 54-hole circuit.
The British publication added that it understood one of Rahm’s contract’s requirements is that the World No. 3 choose at least one “ally” to play with; however, if additional reports surface that indicate multiple PGA Tour players are expected to follow, the reigning Masters champion might be given more options.
GolfWRX’s Matt Vincenzi posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Finau will be joining LIV Golf “imminently” before later clarifying he believed confirmation to be a week or two away.
These rumors surfaced a few days after Finau, who is competing in the mixed team event at the Grant Thornton Invitational alongside American sensation Nelly Korda, remained silent about any discussion of LIV.
“At this point, I have nothing to say. When questioned over the rumors, Finau replied, “I haven’t heard anything.
The American replied, “No, not yet,” when asked whether he had any more comments. I’m simply playing right now; I haven’t let anything marinade.
Regarding Rahm’s exit, the six-time PGA Tour winner said to Sports Illustrated, “Yeah, I think he made the best decision that he felt was right for himself and his family.” I’m glad for him.
Talk of Finau and other players possibly switching from the PGA Tour to the LIV Golf League surfaced a few days before Jay Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the heads of the two tours, are scheduled to meet for urgent talks over a possible merger.
Despite shaking hands on that shocking arrangement back in June between PIF CEO Al-Rumayyan and the commissioner of the PGA Tour, nothing has moved past the framework agreement before the deal’s December 31 deadline. If that date is not to be extended, some sort of breakthrough needs to be achieved at the next conference, as that date is drawing near.
However, in a recent speech, Monahan expressed confidence that a settlement between the PIF and a third party will be reached.
“After this is finalized, the PGA Tour will have athletes as owners in their respective sports, and in addition to the PIF, there’s probably going to be another co-investor with a lot of business, sports, and brand experience. That’s going to help us take market share away from other sports and become even more competitive,” stated Monahan.
