Revealed: The next LIV Golf signing Kevin Na claimed was excited to leave PGA
The LIV Golf rumor mill shows no signs of slowing down and the latest player linked with a move away from the PGA Tour is none other than Si Woo Kim.
According to Handicap54, the 27-year-old South Korean is being targeted by the tour commissioned by Greg Norman.
Though it’s fair to say that at this point it’s hard to think of a player who hasn’t been approached.
Very clearly, there is an awful lot of conjecture with regards to potential signings.
Most recently, Sergio Garcia appeared to essentially confirm that Mito Pereira would be joining the LIV Golf League from 2023 after he was pictured in a charity day organised by the Spaniard.
Handicp54 also claims that two players also on the brink of quitting the PGA Tour – Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele – have held discussions with Phil Mickelson.
Schauffele confirmed in February 2022 that he did hold discussions with LIV Golf but ultimately was persuaded to stay put for the time being as he wasn’t fully convinced by Saudi-financed tour.
He previously said:
“We have met and discussed with representatives of SGL/LIV, only to come to the conclusion that the SGL isn’t close to a finished product or business model.”
Schauffele reportedly is still 50/50 over his decision. The New York Post claimed on 10 November that Schauffele was staying put despite reports suggesting his deal was signed and sealed.
The LIV Golf League will play 14 events in 2023, with total prize money reaching a whopping $405m.
Just this week it was confirmed that The Grange Country Club in Adelaide will host one of LIV’s $25m events next April.
The aforementioned Norman said he could not have achieved this without the help of Cameron Smith.
Smith, the 150th Open Champion, has also made another impassioned plea for LIV Golf players not to be banned from the majors in 2023.
This was after he told of what “irked me most” about the angst created by LIV Golf.
As for LIV, they are clearly targeting the Asian market. It is no secret that they would like to have Hideki Matsuyama on their roster.
The Japanese superstar – who is struggling with injuries in 2022 – was reportedly torn between money and legacy over a potential move.
Kim is a three-time PGA Tour winner. He turned professional in 2012, captured his first victory in 2016 at the Wyndham Championship and also took down the Players in 2017.
However, since then he has somewhat struggled to live up to his full potential.
He was a member of the International Presidents Cup team in 2022 at Quail Hollow Club. Kim memorably pulled out the “shhh” move in his match against Justin Thomas.
Thomas later said that this annoyed him.
Kim was also the player Kevin Na was talking about when he said this about going on a recruitment drive.
Who do you think LIV Golf will sign next? Do you care? Or are you simply bored of all the LIV Golf chatter?
Let us know what you think in the comments below.
Article originally appeared on: Golfmagic.com
LIV GOLF will attempt to gain credibility by enticing PGA players with oil money until they work out a deal with the pga giving them status with the pga. In the end I can see a total revamp of the PGA. If LIV goes after university grads and sells the money aspect then the PGA will have no choice than a deal with LIV. a sad day for the PGA.
College guys gotta be looking close at Liv. Money talks.
For a life changing amount of money I can see the attraction. Certainly for the guys in the twilight of their careers, I can understand some of them going. I wonder if any of these guys are getting paid to recruit their friends to leave the PGA Tour? I am not a fan of all of this bickering back and forth, and will continue to watch the PGA tour events…not all all interested in watching LIV at all.
I’m actually bored with the PGA responses and the whining of Rory and horcshel. They think they are immune from criticism and it’s just not going to end well for them. They should adjust their ancient approach and realize the game is stale and without tiger and Phil, it’s almost unwatchable..that is unless you want to watch beau hossler and , and .. fill in a name competing in the barracuda championship.
Have to agree, let’s face it TW early in his career signed a 40 million dollar contract WNike and flies around in a private jet. Every player on the PGA tour should send a thank you note to LIV. Their playing for the largest purses in the history of the PGA and even players who miss the cut are receiving 5K for their efforts there’s only one reason for the increases~~~LIV golf.
I’m tired of the whole topic, comparing LIV to the PGA is like comparing American football to European football, they are two different animals and it can’t be done. LIV wants to play 54 no cut holes in a closed, team environment. The team names are idiotic, nobody knows who is on which team and the reality is nobody cares…………..except the players. I don’t blame those guys for taking the money, especially the ones who can’t compete on the PGA Tour and I won’t not watching them. It’s a little sad that we won’t see players like Cam Smith and Dustin Johnson compete on the PGA Tour but they made their choice, that’s only two impact players and we won’t even miss them in
2023.