Identifying LIV Golf's top PGA Tour targets for 2025
There are a number of players LIV Golf could pinch from the PGA Tour for the 2024-2025 season, but who is most likely to go?
The row between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf shows no signs of simmering down.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan insists talks with the breakaway's backers, the Saudi PIF, remain positive and are gathering momentum.
But if we read between the lines, it appears we aren't going anywhere fast.
The PGA Tour have confirmed their 2024-2025 schedule whilst LIV have outlined details for the first four events of their campaign.
That might not sound too interesting, but LIV have decided to pit their tournaments up against four big Tour events.
Therefore, we can assume it is business as usual for both circuits.
At least for the time being.
That means LIV will target some new signings over the next few months given some players' contracts are expiring.
So who will LIV Golf target this summer?
Let's take a look...
The Norwegian been a vocal critic of PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan.
Earlier in the year, Hovland also said PGA Tour officials had done 'a damn bad job' at handling the fracture at the top of the men's game.
He accused some of the top brass of behaving 'arrogantly'.
Despite his grumblings, Hovland has remained committed to the PGA Tour.
He told reporters in March that he has not found any of LIV's hypothetical offers appealing enough.
We'll have to see if LIV come calling again later this year.
Scott's position is different given he's a member of the PGA Tour's policy board and is also part of the transaction subcommittee that is also negotiating directly with PIF officials.
But Scott is the perfect candidate for LIV due to being an established international player who is also a major champion.
Matsuyama was reportedly offered north of $400m to join LIV.
The Japanese golfer was said to be torn between the money and legacy.
Matsuyama has struggled on-and-off with injuries over the last two years, particularly with his lower back.
Could that come into his thinking if he was approached again?
The 2023 U.S. Open champion confirmed he held LIV talks but decided against joining.
At least for now.
"I chose my legacy over LIV," he said at the beginning of the year.
He added: "I don't know what the future holds with my career and what the PGA Tour and LIV is going to do, but at least for this season I am 100% set on the PGA Tour and I want to try to get to as high in the world as I possibly can."
Will Greg Norman make another phone call?
Day previously distanced himself from LIV when he was first linked.
At the time, he insistent on getting back in the winner's circle on the PGA Tour.
Day finally broke a five-year winless streak in May 2023.
But what is left for Day to achieve? Surely, at 36 years old, his best days are behind him and he may find LIV's schedule alluring.
But convincing Day to put his starts in the major championships in jeopardy may prove troublesome.
Rose said he could never give up his childhood dreams of playing in majors and the Ryder Cup when he was first approached by LIV.
Rose is harbouring aspirations to be involved in the biennial dust-up in New York next September and to do that he needs to be involved in the majors and playing events that offer qualification points.
A switch to LIV remains unlikely, but the 44-year-old's resolve could be tested later this year if Norman came calling.
LIV will need to continue to target players who can enhance their global reach.
Schauffele is clearly in that bracket.
And he no longer needs to worry about access into the majors over the next few years given his exploits at Valhalla and Royal Troon this summer.
The American was said to have been on the verge of joining LIV for the 2023 campaign but made a last-minute decision to stay on the PGA Tour.
Finau is experiencing some off-course legal issues this year.
The golfer is facing a multimillion pound lawsuit whereby a former associate is trying to get 20% of his career earnings.
Judge Hames Brady, of Utah's 4th Judicial District Court, has scheduled an eight-day jury trial for early October.
Could Finau be tempted by LIV?
