Jon Rahm makes plea to PGA Tour and LIV Golf over merger as Tiger Woods meets with Saudi boss

Jon Rahm became arguably LIV Golf’s biggest signing yet last December, but after his ban from the PGA Tour, he has called on those in charge to reunite the best players in the world

Jon Rahm has called on the best players in professional golf to be reunited amid the ongoing split between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf.

Rahm became LIV’s biggest signing in December last year, when the Masters champion joined Greg Norman in a £450m deal. But following in the footsteps of Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka and Dustin Johnson, he too paid the price by being disqualified from the PGA Tour. Last June, the Tour made the shocking announcement that it had reached a framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to end the ongoing feud between the two rival governments.

However, nine months later, the players are still unable to play on both circuits as a deal has not been finalized. But Lam hopes a deal can be reached sooner rather than later. “I think there’s a way to coexist,” he said ahead of next month’s Masters title defense. “I don’t know what it’s going to look like, but I just want to see the best players in the world competing against each other…I think golf has an opportunity to take it to the next level.” We may not be the friendliest group at the moment, but I think if we can establish some kind of peace, we can take the game a long way forward.”

Representatives from the PGA Tour and PIF met in the Bahamas on Monday to negotiate peace, with former player-managers including Jordan Spieth and Patrick Cantlay in attendance. But the biggest name on the attendance list was Tiger Woods. Woods, who is also a member of the PGA Tour’s policy council, reportedly met with PIF President Yasser Al Rumayan at the golf course to discuss the future of professional golf. Fellows director Webb Simpson said at the beginning of Monday’s meeting that Woods, the 82-time PGA Tour champion, is “very interested.” Simpson continued to Sports Illustrated. “Other than our meetings, he’s been very busy. He’s a great leader and I really think he’s stepped up to the plate as our leader, and we’re counting on him a lot.” Like Rahm, Simpson hopes to attend weekly reunions of not only the major athletes in the four sports, but also the world’s best. “At the end of the day, we all want to play together and not just in big tournaments,” he added. “It doesn’t have to be just the PGA Tour. This is why we all love sports. Best team in the Super Bowl. The best team in the NBA Finals. I think it will take time to get there. I have never been so clear about my future. But I came back thinking it was definitely worth it. I’m glad I met him. I was happy to meet such a friendly person.