#12 LIV Update, Preview PNC Championship 

#12 LIV Update, Preview PNC Championship 

PNC Championship

Ritz-Carlton GC Orlando Fl.

Dec 16-17 Par 72

Purse $1,085,000 same as last year

The inaugural tournament took place in 1995 when 10 major winners got together with their sons.  It is more an exhibition than a regular tournament with pro-ams on Thursday and Friday, and a 36 hole scramble Saturday and Sunday.  Listed are the 20 teams for this year, same as last year except that Stricker & Goosen teams replace Jordan Spieth and his father and Gary Player and his grandson.

#20 LIV/PGA Activity 

This has been the most active week since the June 6th announcement that LIV and the PGA will begin talks for an agreement between the 2 leagues.

Dec 8 Jon Rahm announces that he will leave the PGA and join LIV.  His deal is rumored to be worth $300 & $600M.  He is the first player of note to join LIV since Cameron Smith defected shortly after winning the OPEN.  Rahm is arguably the best player in the world over the last 5 years with 13 wins including 2 majors.  This is definitely a major victory for LIV and will give them a stronger say in the upcoming agreement.

Dec 8 Wells Fargo ends sponsorship of PGA TOUR event at Quail Hollow GC in Charlotte NC. after this years tournament being held from May 6-12, 2024.  It was reported that Wells Fargo offered $20M+ to renew and suggested dropping signature status to reduce costs. In 2023 this became a signature event and the purse was raised from $9M in 2022 to $20M. There is no doubt that the huge amount of money that LIV has infused into professional golf which the PGA has tried to match will be a strong part of the agreement if one is reached.   

Dec 9 Rahm appears on the Pat McAfee show and did admit that money was a big part of his decision.  He is also exempt for all majors for 5 years due to his 2023 Masters win.

Dec 14 Rahm is quoted “I am under very strict instructions not to do public events, which I have imposed on myself, and for the change I have given to the world of golf in the last week”.

In My opinion Rahm’s departure is a serious blow to the PGA and its ability to prevent future defections to LIV.  Tony Finau has denied that he will join LIV, but that follows a trend of denial. 

I think he will join LIV sometime in the future unless an agreement happens soon.