Woods, speaking to the media at this week’s Hero World Challenge, was asked for his reaction to the tour’s surprise announcement with the financial backer of LIV Golf, as Woods had been publicly silent on the matter. The 15-time major winner said he was “surprised” before expressing irritation for how the situation was handled.

“Well, going back to that, I would say that my reaction was surprised as I’m sure a lot of the players were taken back by it, by what happened,” Woods said on Tuesday. “So quickly without any input or any information about it, it was just thrown out there. I was very surprised that the process was what it was. We were very frustrated with what happened and we took steps going forward to ensure that the player involvement was not going —we were not going to be left out of the process like we were. So, part of that process was putting me on the board and accepting that position.”

After feeling like they were left in the dark when the framework agreement was worked out in late May and early June, players wanted to make sure the fate of the tour was in fact in their own hands. A group of 41 players—including Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy, Jon Rahm, Justin Thomas and Woods himself—sent a letter to PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan requesting certain steps regarding the tour’s governance “be taken immediately.” One of those steps included Woods joining the PGA Tour Policy Board as part of an effort from the tour to provide transparency measures with its membership.

When asked what drove him to join the board, Woods reiterated a sentiment of irritation of being left in the dark.

“I think the overall emotion is I think what I answered with Rex earlier, is we can’t let that happen again,” Woods said. “How do we do that, is having six player directors so we control the board and we control what we’re going to do. We’re not going to have what transpired in a few months without our involvement again.”

Now that he’s officially part of the negotiations, Woods was asked his opinion on the direction of the deal. Woods’ answer, again, was mixed.

“I’m pleased at the process and how it’s evolved. Also frustrated in some of the slowness and the governance change that we want to have happen,” Woods said. “And December 31st is coming up very quickly, so there’s the timetable there that we would like to implement some of these changes that have not taken place. The guys, all the player directors have spent so many hours and worked tireless hours to make sure that we have the best deal for all the players that are involved, the entire PGA Tour.”

Woods was later asked about his opinions of Monahan and the job he’s done. “I think Jay has been a part of the direction, he understands what happened prior to that can’t happen again and won’t happen again, not with the players that are involved and not with the player directors having the role that we have,” Woods responded. Given the straight word, and less than endearing, remarks, Woods was asked if he still had faith in Monahan.

“That was part of why I came on to the board is I did have faith in Jay and in what he could do going forward and what can’t happen again,” Woods said.

Along with its negotiations with PIF, the PGA Tour has been entertaining interest from several companies vying to provide financial backing. It remains unclear if this backing would be an alternative to PIF’s support or to supplement it in order to appease U.S. antitrust regulations. Earlier this fall the PGA Tour acknowledged these discussions in a memo to its membership. “We remain focused on reaching a definitive agreement with PIF and the DP World Tour, but not surprisingly, these negotiations have resulted in unsolicited outreach and proposals from a number of other interested investors,” the PGA Tour’s Jason Gore wrote in the memo, which has been obtained by Golf Digest. “All of this activity reinforces the tour’s strong position and our potential for growth.”

Though much remains up in the air, Woods said, ultimately, he is confident a deal will come to fruition.

“Whether that comes December 31st or is pushed back, we’re all—all sides understand we’re working together,” Woods said. “There are no lawsuits. Everyone’s understanding what that looks like and we’re all progressing going forward. Everyone’s working right now with no animosity. We’re trying to work to try and get a deal done for the tour and for all parties involved.”

Image: David Cannon

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It is no secret that several companies are vying to provide financial backing to the PGA Tour amid the ongoing discussions with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Endeavor, the parent company the WWE, the UFC, and sports agency IMG, and which has a market value of close to $10 billion, was one of the primary interested investors. Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel confirmed his company’s bid just weeks ago. “We are in the sports business,” Emanuel said earlier in October. “I’m an avid golfer. It’s one of the great sports. I love it. I think we could add to it what we’ve added to all of our sports based on the flywheel [effect].”

However, Endeavor president and COO Mark Shapiro told Sportico on Friday that its offer to invest and partner with the tour was turned down.

“We’re big fans of golf, and we’ll continue to champion the PGA Tour,” Endeavor’s Mark Shapiro said, “but we’re not going to be an investor at any level.”

Other entities include the Fenway Sports Group (which owns the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Penguins and the Premier League team Liverpool) and the investment firm KKR & Co.

Earlier this month the PGA Tour acknowledged these discussions in a memo to its membership. “We remain focused on reaching a Definitive Agreement with PIF and the DP World Tour, but not surprisingly, these negotiations have resulted in unsolicited outreach and proposals from a number of other interested investors,” the PGA Tour’s Jason Gore wrote in the memo, which has been obtained by Golf Digest. “All of this activity reinforces the Tour’s strong position and our potential for growth.”

The framework between the tour and PIF calls for a new agreement to be completed by the end of the year, although both sides can agree to extend the deadline.

Main image: Jared C Tilton

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In 130 days, the landscape of professional golf’s two major tours could look drastically different. That’s if a framework agreement between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund goes through on December 31, which commissioner Jay Monahan is confident it will. But those changes will at least have been approved by Tiger Woods, according to fellow policy board member Rory McIlroy.

On June 6, the PGA Tour entered into a framework deal with PIF, which finances LIV Golf, to immediately drop litigation between the two parties and create a new for-profit company, called PGA Tour Enterprises, in which the PIF will be a minority investor. The deal’s December 31 deadline can be extended.

On Wednesday at the Tour Championship, McIlroy was asked what Woods’ involvement had been in the three weeks since he was appointed a player director on the policy board for the first time in his 27 years on the PGA Tour.

The Northern Irishman’s answer was crystal clear: 82-time PGA Tour winner Woods will be central to all discussions.

“Tiger being on the board, I think it’s meaningful that he’s on it, that he’s engaged,” McIlroy said. “He’s certainly been spending more time on it than I have. He’s been talking to some people. He’s been talking to a lot of people. He’s really engaged in just trying to get the best outcome for the players on the PGA Tour. I think his difference has been felt already. His presence on there will only continue to grow as we head towards that December 31 deadline.”

That presence is seen as striking a balance between the tour potentially accepting enormous invest from the PIF — which has invested over $2 billion into LIV as well as other sports such as its purchase of English football  team Newcastle United — and maintaining the integrity of a US circuit Woods helped build. Before Woods was appointed, 41 tour players, including McIlroy, Scottie Scheffler and Jon Rahm, sent a letter to commissioner Jay endorsing Woods as a sixth player representative on the board.

Woods joining the policy board also takes enormous strain off McIlroy, who last year was the PGA Tour’s unofficial spokesperson in its feud with LIV. He was publicly outspoken against LIV in interviews, while attending countless meetings behind closed doors. All the while, he managed to win three PGA Tour events, including the Tour Championship and FedEx Cup, as well as finish in the top eight in all four majors.

This year, McIlroy is more relaxed. Ranked No. 3 in the FedEx Cup, he’ll begin Thursday’s first round at seven-under and three shots back of leader Scottie Scheffler per the staggered scoring system.

“I remember this time last year being on a board call at 7.30am in the morning on the Tuesday trying to get all that stuff ratified,” McIlroy, who has won the FedEx Cup a record three times, said on Wednesday. “I’ve been able to focus a little bit more just on golf and my game. [I was] even able to take two days at home [in Florida] between Chicago and here, getting to spend some time with [my] girls. That’s been really nice. I would say everything’s just a little more balanced and a little more calm this year.”

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The framework agreement between the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has consumed so much of commissioner Jay Monahan’s schedule that there has been no spare time to actually play golf. He didn’t tee up during 33 days of medical leave he took to deal with anxiety, nor since his July 17 return to commissioner duties. “I’ve blown out to a six handicap,” Monahan, a former four handicap, said with a laugh after addressing media at the Tour Championship.

It was Monahan’s first public press conference since his return, and reporters were keen to know the progress on the framework deal with the Public Investment Fund (PIF), which finances LIV Golf. Monahan’s 45-minute address had plenty of words, and a positive undertone, but few details. His opening remarks were 14 minutes long.

“I know I’m talking lot here, but I haven’t seen you guys in a while,” he said.

Monahan has been in multiple discussions each week with the PIF. On June 6, the PGA Tour entered into a framework deal with the fund to immediately drop litigation between the two parties and create a new for-profit company, called PGA Tour Enterprises, in which the PIF will be a minority investor. The deal’s deadline, which can be extended, is December 31.

“Right now my focus is on the negotiations with PIF,” Monahan said, adding the tour’s chief operating officer, Ron Price, and executive vice president and president of the tour, Tyler Dennis, have also been in those discussions. “That’s where all my energy and attention is. But I think given the amount of attention that our framework agreement has received, and in particular the fact that we’ve created a NewCo [new company] … I think the realisation that there is an entity that can be invested into at the PGA Tour and the uniqueness of being able to invest into a professional sports league of the calibre, quality and sustainability of the PGA Tour, obviously has generated a lot of interest.”

It has also generated doubt within professional golf as to whether the deal would get done. Mainly, because the PGA Tour is adamant that despite the PIF pouring money into the new entity, the tour will maintain operational control.

“If you saw the amount of conversation and the time that the PGA Tour, DP World Tour, and PIF are spending working forward from a framework to a definitive, I think would you see the sincerity of the efforts there,” Monahan said. “The PGA Tour [will have] PIF as a minority investor in NewCo, [and] full-board governance and operational control of the tour and ultimately the men’s professional game moving forward,” Monahan said. “Given the fact that there’s frequency of talks, we’re probably right where I would expect that we would be. But there’s an intensity and there’s an urgency and there’s a lot of good work that’s being done. I am confident that we will reach an agreement that achieves a positive outcome for the PGA Tour and our fans. I see it and I’m certain of it.”

Added Dennis: “It progresses daily, and it’s very positive and collaborative in nature.”

But what exactly is a positive outcome? Is it ensuring LIV Golf, and its 14-event schedule featuring shotgun starts and a team component, ultimately folds? Or that its top recruits such as major winners Cameron Smith, Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka return to the PGA Tour via some sort of penalty? Monahan couldn’t answer.

“I appreciate your question. These are the kind of topics and discussions that we’re having right now with PIF,” he said. “When we complete our discussions, we’ll have an answer for that question. That’s a non-answer, but that’s my position.”

What he could answer was what the PGA Tour would do with the PIF money should the framework agreement go ahead.

“Use the capital to be able to invest back in our product,” he said. “Like further reduce commercial inventory in our broadcast, further invest in our data businesses, further invest in our media business, potentially invest in entities and companies that we think are going to help us grow and diversify our fan base and the game.”

Monahan added that Netflix’s debut golf series, “Full Swing”, had also helped grow the fan base of the PGA Tour. The drama of this season as fuel for the series’ second season is not lost on him.

“I fully acknowledge that this hasn’t been an easy road … but ultimately I really do feel very strongly about the result we’re going to have,” he said.

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“A work in progress.” That’s how PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan described his biggest challenge to date.

He was referring to himself.

Monahan on Wednesday revealed that anxiety-induced “mental and physical health challenges” precipitated his decision to take a leave from his day-to-day duties with the tour for slightly more than a month. He further admitted that it was not a certainty that he would return, but “I was fully committed to the process of coming back”.

“I realised that I need to step away and deal with that and to develop the skills to deal with that going forward,” Monahan told a small group of reporters during a one-hour round-table interview in the clubhouse at TPC Southwind, where the FedEx St Jude Championship kicks off the playoffs Thursday morning. “Ultimately, you can’t wait when you’re in a situation like that, and I needed to deal with it. I needed to deal with it for my family and for myself. That was a very hard thing for me.”

The PGA Tour announced on June 14 that Monahan was taking a leave of absence for an undisclosed medical situation. That occurred eight days after he announced the surprise framework agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. Monahan, 53, said that stress that had been building up over a period of time contributed to his condition as opposed to a single event.

For more than a year, the tour had been fending off a challenge from the LIV Golf League, funded by the PIF, that has resulted in several high-profile players moving to the new circuit and ultimately a number of costly lawsuits. The deal Monahan revealed on June 6 with PIF governor Yasir Al-Rumayyan included a dismissal of all legal proceedings.

Monahan returned to work July 17. He met with about two dozen players on Tuesday at TPC Southwind and first and foremost told them:“I am healthy, I’m energised, I’m ready and I’m moving the PGA Tour forward.”

He had no hesitation about stepping back into the high-pressure tasks that come with being the tour’s commissioner.

“I think everyone knows my nature and my nature is to always be one to run into a fight or a conflict, not run away from it,” Monahan said. “Because I had world-class medical care, I fully committed to the process. I was not going to come back until I was told by doctors and medical experts and my wife and my girls that I was fully supported in coming back. And that was not something that was a certainty when I stepped away.

“Anxiety affects everybody differently, and it had been affecting me. I realised the position I was in said this is the right time to take care of myself. I’m a work in progress.”

Monahan was gratified that the most common question players have been asking him is about his health. “Every player has not started off with a business question, but a personal question, and that means a lot to me.”

“It’s definitely good to have him back,” said Scottie Scheffler, ranked No. 1 in the world and No. 2 in the FedEx Cup standings as the playoffs begin on Thursday. “I think the tour has got a long way to go. But it’s always nice having Jay back in person. Guys when they want to can have face-to-face time with him, he’s always available. He’s doing the best that he can to make sure that he’s getting as much player input as possible.”

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Jay Monahan presided over his first player meeting on Tuesday at the FedEx St Jude Championship since returning from a voluntary absence, and while the 90-minute gathering was poorly attended and little new information was delivered, several players agreed that it was simply good to see the PGA Tour commissioner back at work.

And, apparently, a lot of work is yet to be done.

Fewer than 30 of the 70 players competing in this week’s first FedEx Cup playoff event gathered in the Oaks Room in the clubhouse at TPC Southwind. The majority of the meeting was spent reviewing the framework agreement that the tour announced June 6 in which the tour and the DP World Tour struck a deal with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. There were questions about how it was rolled out and how a final deal might look.

Jay Monahan. Michael Reaves

“I think everyone has a better understanding of how things are operating,” Rickie Fowler said. “It was more about the release and how it was broken and how it came out was not how Jay or the tour would have hoped for. There’s still a whole lot that no one really knows, and we [the players] don’t know. It’s just continuing to trust that leadership and everyone is doing what’s best for all of us and the tour moving forward.”

Fowler provided a partial list of topics covered: “If the deal doesn’t work what are the potentials of moving forward? Does NewCo still stay around? Are there other investors? Is the tour sustainable how we currently are?

“The tour is in a great spot and it’s going to continue to grow. The possibility of NewCo and still looking at that. It’s more along the structure and what is the best option for moving forward, whether that’s with NewCo or without.”

NewCo is the proposed for-profit entity under which the PGA Tour and DP World Tour would operate with investment from the PIF, according to the framework agreement.

“It’s a lot of unknowns, I guess; a lot of unknowns,” said Tom Hoge. “I think it was good just to have Jay there in front of us all and see him again and see that he is doing well, and who knows what the path will be going forward. I guess we’re all just wait and see. This is my ninth year on tour going to these meetings, and I understand that not a lot comes from them.”

Monahan returned to work July 17 after stepping away for a month for medical reasons.

Among the notable players who skipped the gathering were Rory McIlroy, Xander Schauffele, Patrick Cantlay, Max Homa and Viktor Hovland.

A few players left the meeting early, disappointed to not have learned anything new. “The questions got to be repetitive,” said Jon Rahm, who stayed for the first hour. “It was the same stuff we already knew.”

“I thought it was pointless,” said Denny McCarthy.

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PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan sent a memo to members on Wednesday evening, outlining a number of efforts and updates as the tour proceeds with its planned partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund. As far as tour memos go it was expansive in reach and progressive in vision, and comes just a week after Monahan returned following a health-related sabbatical. Here are eight things you need to know about the PGA Tour’s memo about its future.

Raine Group involvement

Monahan announced that Colin Neville of the Raine Group will be brought in to help ensure a transparent, efficient and collaborative process and be a resource for the negotiations. The Raine Group was behind the Premier Golf League, the tour that initially attempted to rival the PGA Tour before LIV Golf was founded.

A ‘Task force’ will decide LIV Golf discipline

Borrowing a term from the United States Ryder Cup brain-trust, the tour has put together a group that will decide what type of penalties, if any, players who moved to LIV Golf would face should they want to return to the tour. A pathway back for LIV Golf members was agreed to in the framework agreement between the tour and PIF. “All aspects of the PGA Tour tournament regulations are being considered, and more details will be provided upon further evaluation,” the memo says. The task force will be comprised of PGA Tour executives Andy Pazder, Jason Gore and Neera Shetty. Speaking of Gore …

Jason Gore will try to keep the peace

Last year Gore, a former PGA Tour player, left his role as the USGA’s first player relations director to take a similar position with the PGAT. Gore was instrumental in improving the rapport between the governing body and professionals following an era of hard feelings between the two sides, and it’s clear the tour will want Gore to do the same as membership comes to grips with tour leadership’s surprise partnership. Monahan signalled Gore’s importance to players, with the memo announcing Gore has been promoted to executive vice president and chief player officer position.

How the tour will replace Randall Stephenson

One of the upshots of the PIF deal was the resignation of Stephenson from the tour’s policy board. In a letter to players Stephenson, an influential voice in professional golf, said he had “serious concerns” about the new alliance. It should also be noted that Stephenson is a former AT&T executive, and perhaps no tournament was hurt by Saudi Golf’s foray into the sport like the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, which was played opposite the Saudi International the past few years. According to the memo, Patrick Cantlay and Webb Simpson are helping lead a search for Stephenson’s replacement, with the ultimate choice needing unanimous board approval.

The tour will not abide by distance rollback

A week after the R&A CEO Martin Slumbers said “doing nothing is not an option” regarding growing distance gains in the game, Monahan announced the tour would not abide by a modified local rule from the USGA and R&A that would roll back the ball. In itself this is not a surprise; sources told Golf Digest at the Players Championship, just days before the USGA announced its proposal, that the tour was unlikely to go along with the proposal as currently constituted. With players overwhelmingly against the motion, Monahan is not in a position to fight his players on this front. However, Monahan did say he intends to collaborate with the governing bodies towards an eventual solution on the matter.

Monahan is back to full health

Though Monahan has not publicly acknowledged the issues that sidelined him for roughly a month — including the tour’s Congressional hearing — the commissioner said he is fully recovered and “committed to representing the best interests of the PGA Tour.” Monahan returned to work last week, although was not at the Open Championship.

Benefits for those that stayed

A growing response from PGA Tour players who remained with the circuit is that they would like to be compensated for their loyalty. Monahan agrees. “We have obtained player input that is helping to inform the potential structure, components and timeline,” Monahan said about player payouts. “This programme, should we reach a definitive agreement, will be financially significant in total and incremental to our planned compensation package.” Pazder and Gore will also be in charge of this endeavour, along with tour executive Jay Madara.

Schedule announcement delayed again but not much longer

The schedule for the 2024 PGA Tour season was initially set to be released during Travelers Championship week, sources tell Golf Digest, but was delayed due to the proposed deal with Saudi PIF. According to Monahan, the new schedule is expected to be released to members during the first week of the FedEx Cup Playoffs in Memphis.

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Speaking to the media at Royal Liverpool ahead of the 151st Open Championship, R&A CEO Martin Slumbers acknowledged he would be open to working with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund — the financial backer of LIV Golf — should the opportunity present itself.

“If I’m very open, we are and do and continue to do, talk to various potential sponsors,” Slumbers said. “We have a number of large corporate partners that help us make this thing happen. I think the world has changed in the last year. It’s not just golf. You’re seeing it in football. You’re seeing it in F1. You’re seeing it in cricket. I’m sure tennis won’t be that far behind. The world of sport has changed dramatically in the last 12 months, and it is not feasible for the R&A or golf to just ignore what is a societal change on a global basis. We will be considering within all the parameters that we look at all the options that we have.

It is a swift departure from Slumbers’ comments this time last year at St Andrews, when he took Golf Saudi and LIV Golf to task.

“Professional golfers are entitled to choose where they want to play and to accept the prize money that’s offered to them. I have absolutely no problem with that at all,” Slumbers said in 2022. “But there is no such thing as a free lunch. I believe the model we have seen at Centurion and at Pumpkin Ridge is not in the best long-term interest of the sport as a whole and is entirely driven by money. We believe it undermines the merit-based nature and the spirit of open competition that makes golf so special.”

Slumbers later added at last year’s Open that he did not find claims from Golf Saudi and LIV Golf members that they were “growing the game” credible and instead were actually harming “the perspective of our sport that we are working so hard to improve.”

However, this week’s Open comes in the aftermath of last month’s surprise framework agreement between the PIF, the PGA Tour and DP World Tour, which has ended litigation between the factions and could possibly create a new for-profit entity among the leagues. Slumbers noted that it was “very unfortunate” that the game was in the situation of the past two years, referencing how last year’s Open, in his opinion, was almost secondary in importance to the LIV launch.

“I think where we were last year in this room was extremely tense, and it’s disappointing that for our game, the first championship to get to 150th, two thirds of this meeting were focused on the topic which had nothing to do with the 150th,” Slumbers said. “The disruption being caused by the game is not good for the sport. It’s tearing the sport apart. And as importantly, I care about what the perception of this game is around the world. I don’t want it to be perceived as a game that isn’t available to everyone, that isn’t available to boys, girls, men, and women.”

Conversely, Slumbers also said there’s a “sensible conversation” to be had regarding the long-term financial stability of the game, and why he is hopeful the proposed deal ultimately brings peace to the game.

“This constant discussion about money, which I referred to again last year, was in my opinion damaging the perception of our sport worldwide in the eyes of a number of young people who are saying, why do I want to join that, in the eyes of a number of politicians who help us put on these fantastic championships,” Slumbers said. “We need to move beyond that, and that’s why we welcomed the announcement.”

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Here’s the thing about Jon Rahm. Great player that he is, the burly Spaniard is perhaps just as impressive in a press conference setting.

Unlike some who shall remain nameless, Rahm is a thoughtful individual who, quite simply, does his best to answer questions put to him. It was no coincidence that the interview room at Royal Liverpool was all but full when the Masters champion made his entrance. The word on Rahm — and his propensity to be both interesting and forthright — is clearly out.

So it was that the questions ranged across a variety of topics, from his own golf to the golf of others and, inevitably, the politics of the game. Still, after three weeks off — he was the eligible golfer in the World Top 10 to miss last week’s Genesis Scottish Open — Rahm was clearly up for almost anything. Fresh and eager summed up his mood.

“When we did the schedule early in the year, we purposefully added this three-week break,” he said. “We knew there was going to be a lot of golf going into this, then afterwards we have the playoffs, Wentworth, the Ryder Cup and the Spanish Open. We all need a little bit of time to rest. And because of the schedule we had this year, I haven’t been able to have as much as I would have liked. It was nice to be at home and be dad for a change without having to think of golf for a few weeks.”

That relaxed head space didn’t last more than a few minutes into what turned into a half-hour session conducted in English and Spanish. What does Rahm think of the new par-3 17th hole, one former US Open champion Matt Fitzpatrick described as “interesting”, but not in a good way?

“I see what they tried to do,” Rahm said. “The old 15th was the complete opposite of the hole. You had a short downhill hole most likely downwind with basically all the edges sloping towards the centre of the green. I thought it was a good hole. You could make a birdie, and if you miss the green, a bogey was lurking. This time they made a really difficult turtle shell par 3. If you hit a good shot, put it on the green, you have a clear look at birdie. If you miss the green, you have a clear look at bogey. It’s hard to say it is fair or unfair because it’s so short. But I would say it is fair. Because it’s unfair to everybody. It is golf and it is life. It can’t be unfair if it’s the same for all of us. Simple as that.”

"To be the first one to win an Open since Seve for Spain would be quite special."

Can The Masters Champion add the Claret Jug to his Major collection? #TheOpen pic.twitter.com/H46onhEhJR

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) July 18, 2023

Then it was into the politics. Last week Jordan Spieth and Xander Schauffele discussed players’ trust issues with PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan. Rahm’s feelings on the subject of the deal struck with the Saudi Public Investment Fund was always going to come up.

“There has obviously been big changes for all of us,” Rahm said. “I did get a text from Jay, but I haven’t been able to speak to him. He has behaved so professionally and so well with me and my family. In that sense, he’s a really good man. As to what he’s been doing for us and the PGA Tour, I think he’s done a fantastic job. It was unexpected what happened, but I still think he’s been doing a great job. Right now, I think it’s fair to give them time to work things out. I still think they have the best interest of the players at heart. All we have right now is a framework agreement. It’s an agreement to have an agreement. We really don’t have anything right now that allows us to judge what they’ve done.”

The back-and-forth then drifted back to the golf that will be played at Hoylake in the 151st Open Championship. Rahm is not without experience of links golf, he is a two-time winner of the Irish Open and has a decent record in the Open.

“My first round on a links was right before we played the British Boys at Royal St George’s,” he said. “My dad and I played Royal Cinque Ports. I had driver in hand on every hole and he’s like: ‘Yeah, you might want to hit a 3-iron.’ The first hole was downwind. I hit 3-iron and saw the ball bounce once and twice and three times. It just kept on going. I was more used to seeing balls bounce backwards. So it was a really fun experience.

“I’ve done OK in links golf. I’ve played some good golf, and I enjoy it every time. It is, in my mind, golf in its purest state, no matter what the weather is. There’s so many ways of getting it done. There’s just so many possibilities that makes it even more fun.”

It was a brief respite, however. Next up was the mildly controversial question of whether players, like Rahm, who opted to stay with the PGA Tour rather than jump to LIV should be compensated for their loyalty. Rahm was having none of that.

“I understand the tour wanting to do something for those players who helped and stayed,” he said. “But at the same time I wasn’t forced into anything. It was my choice to stay. So do I think there must be a compensation? No. I stayed because I think it’s the best choice for myself and for the golf I want to play. Now, with that said, if they want to do it, I’m not going to say no.”

On the other side of that coin, should those LIV players who want to re-enter the fold of the game’s establishment be punished before being allowed to do so?

“That’s one of the things that the agreement needs to sort out,” Rahm said. “I’m not a politician. That’s not my job. That’s for the disciplinary board to do that.”

Time for more golf. Much has been made of the amazing consistency shown by Scottie Scheffler over the last few months. The World No. 1 hasn’t finished outside the top 12 in any event since last October. But is that an overrated aspect of the game at the highest level? Isn’t it more about winning, something Scheffler has done twice this year? For once, Rahm steered a middle road in his response.

“If you’re consistent, you’re going to give yourself more chances to win,” Rahm said. “Tiger didn’t only have an incredible win percentage. His top-10 percentage and top-five percentage were even higher. I’m a fan of what Scottie has done. I’ve prided myself in the past on consistency, even though this year has been a little bit less. With that said, I’ll take four wins and play a little bit bad for a couple months. I think if you ask him, he’d probably give a couple of those top-fives away for an extra win because that’s what we’re here for. Nevertheless, it’s really impressive what he’s done.”

A Rahm victory this week would perhaps be even more impressive, given recent events. He arrives at Hoylake short of competitive golf and short of his best form. His last win was at Augusta National, and he has not been close to winning either of the two majors since, although a closing 65 at the US Open did hint at a corner being turned. No matter, like all champions, Rahm clearly thinks he can get it done on Sunday evening and he knows exactly the historical context a victory would fill. Not since Seve Ballesteros claimed his third Open title at Royal Lytham in 1988 has a Spanish name been etched on the claret jug.

“To be the first one to win an Open since Seve for Spain would be quite special,” Rahm said. “It’s amazing to me that some of the great golfers we’ve had haven’t been able to do it. It would be a true honor to get to three majors and be the second on the Spanish list. No matter who wins, it’s going to be a great championship. I’m excited to get it going, and it would be absolutely amazing to be sitting back here on Sunday.”

Indeed. And you we’ll be listening intently to what he has to say.

The post The Open Championship 2023: Jon Rahm as candid as ever amid recent developments appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.

As the Solheim Cup approaches, the Aramco Team Series presented by PIF – London is set to play an important role in Team Europe’s preparations. From July 14th to 16th 2023, the renowned Centurion Club will host Aramco Team Series – London, serving as one of the final team events in women’s golf and offering a valuable opportunity for some of Europe’s top golfers to hone their skills and foster their teamwork abilities in the lead-up to the eagerly anticipated Solheim Cup.

With her wealth of Solheim Cup experience, Britain’s Charley Hull expressed her unwavering determination to retain the coveted title and the collective strength of the European players competing in the Aramco Team Series – London and said: “Our focus remains on defending our title and performing exceptionally as a team in Spain. I believe that the Solheim Cup success of Team Europe in recent years has been tied to the remarkable growth and strength of the Ladies European Tour (LET). The players from the tour have consistently elevated their game to new heights. As we prepare for the Solheim Cup, Aramco Team Series – London presents an incredible opportunity for us European players to fine-tune the teamwork component of our game and build strong chemistry amongst ourselves.”

For the LET players participating in the Aramco Team Series – London, this event also serves as a platform to showcase their abilities in individual and team formats, enhancing their prospects of being selected to represent Team Europe at the prestigious Solheim Cup.

Reflecting on her experience, major winner Georgia Hall, who first competed in the Solheim Cup in 2017, highlighted the importance of putting on a stellar performance at Aramco Team Series – London and during the remaining qualifying events. Hall shared: “I recall how my performances in 2016 and 2017 played a pivotal role in earning my spot on Team Europe in 2017. The Aramco Team Series provides an invaluable opportunity for players to prove themselves and thrive in a team environment. It allows us to showcase our skills, camaraderie, and potential contributions to a team’s success.”

Two-time Solheim Cup captain Catriona Matthew shared her perspective on team selection, and stated, “Having been in the captain’s role before, I understand the significance of events like Aramco Team Series – London for players aiming to secure a spot on Team Europe. This tournament provides a fantastic platform for players to showcase their abilities in both individual and team formats, thereby increasing their chances of being selected for the prestigious Solheim Cup.”

Tickets to witness the world’s best competing and to be a part of all the activities happening at Centurion Club from 14 to 16 July 2023 are now available through Universe to purchase adult tickets priced at £5 for Friday and £10 for the weekend, while those under 18 can attend for free. For further information on the Aramco Team Series, please visit aramcoteamseries.com or follow the event on social media @aramco_series.

The post Aramco Team Series champions the power of teamwork ahead of Team Europe’s Solheim Cup showdown appeared first on Golf Digest Middle East.