Jon Rahm shows true colours after watching PGA Tour chief and LIV boss hug it out

Jon Rahm has expressed a cautious outlook on the ongoing discussions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, despite the recent public interactions between their leaders. Rahm, speaking at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, stated that he is refraining from getting his hopes up about a potential resolution between the two golf organizations, even though recent developments might suggest progress.

This week, the golfing world saw PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and LIV Golf chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan paired together for a round of golf at Carnoustie, marking the first time they’ve been seen publicly together since the announcement of their framework agreement in June. Their appearance has ignited further speculation about the state of negotiations between the two parties.

The PGA Tour and LIV Golf have been at odds for the past few years, with LIV Golf attracting several high-profile players to its Saudi-funded league, leading to a deep divide in the world of professional golf. Now, however, the two organizations appear to be working toward a resolution. The framework agreement, announced in June, signaled an attempt at cooperation, but many details remain unresolved, leading to ongoing negotiations.

Darren Fichardt, ranked 462nd in the world, stole the spotlight on the first day of the tournament by posting an impressive 11-under-par 61 at Kingsbarns. However, the focus for many remained on Monahan and Al-Rumayyan, who played a full 18-hole round together. Their on-course interaction fueled rumors about the possibility of a deal being struck between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf’s financial backers.

Although Rahm hopes for a resolution, he emphasized the importance of tempering expectations. “I won’t let myself believe anything until it is actually true. I hope so,” he remarked, referencing the presence of both Monahan and Al-Rumayyan, as well as the DP World Tour’s Guy Kinnings, who were all seen together at the event. “But, at this point, I don’t want to create an expectation and then not meet it. But I’m hopeful.”

This week’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship is not just about competition on the course, but also about what could be a pivotal moment in golf’s future. Earlier in the year, PGA Tour policy board members met with Al-Rumayyan following the Players Championship, and Tiger Woods even played 18 holes with the Saudi businessman. While several meetings have taken place since then, some reports suggest that prominent PGA Tour players such as Woods, Patrick Cantlay, and Jordan Spieth may not be ready to compromise, which could complicate negotiations.

One theory circulating is that the DP World Tour might sever its alliance with the PGA Tour and join forces with LIV Golf to form a global tour, which would present a major challenge to the North American golf circuit. This potential shift could significantly reshape the professional golf landscape.

Rory McIlroy, Rahm’s Ryder Cup teammate, also participated in the same group as Al-Rumayyan during the tournament. McIlroy has been vocal about his views on LIV Golf in the past, but this time he maintained a more diplomatic tone, expressing hope for unity in the sport by the end of the year. “We didn’t talk about what’s going on in the game,” McIlroy said of his round with Al-Rumayyan. “We talked about Newcastle United. We talked about some of the other stuff Yasir owns.”

McIlroy downplayed the significance of the day’s events, emphasizing that their round was cordial and focused on golf. “They were behaving like golfers, which is what we are here to do,” McIlroy said. “Who knows? I keep saying time will tell. And there’s only so many ways I can answer the same question.”

With the golf world watching closely, it remains to be seen whether these interactions will lead to a meaningful breakthrough between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. For now, players like Rahm and McIlroy are cautiously optimistic but know that only time will reveal the outcome of these high-stakes negotiations.