LIV Golf seemed to confirm another deal in a post on the Cleeks GC team Instagram page before the picture was swiftly deleted – but quick-thinking fans screenshotted the image
LIV Golf has inadvertently let the cat out of the bag when it comes to their latest signing after leaking a picture of Kalle Samooja posing as the newest member of the Cleeks GC team.
In a post that was quickly deleted from the team’s official Instagram, the Finnish golfer was shown standing alongside major winner Martin Kaymer and Richard Bland. Dressed in the team’s apparel, he was snapped posing for the camera on what appeared to be a photo shoot on January 8.
The image was quickly removed, but that didn’t stop the account’s followers from screenshotting the post because it seemed to confirm Samooja’s signing. The former star of the European Tour had previously won a contract from LIV Golf Promotions for his performance at the event.
The 35-year-old superstar was granted entry to the breakaway circuit, joining Japanese players Jinichiro Kozuma and Kieran Vincent of Zimbabwe. After 36 holes, they were leading the leaderboard, with Samooja taking home the top honors and a $200,000 payout.
After Cleeks GC struggled to 10th place in the standings during the previous round of the 12-team competition, the world No. 298 was added to the squad along with captain Kaymer and Bland.
In the past, he expressed his obvious happiness at receiving his LIV membership by telling ESPN, “I believe we had the top three players in the field to receive their cards,” and by telling LIV Golf’s official website, “Once I arrived, I realized this was all I wanted to accomplish. It’s a significant advancement for my career.”
With new teammate Bland, who announced his re-signing with Cleeks for the 2024 season before the year began, he will have some kindred spirits on the Cleeks GC roster. “Just a quick note to say how excited I am to have re-signed with Cleeks GC for LIV Golf 24 season,” the former winner of the European Tour posted a video message on social media.
“I’m eager to start next year even though the season is only a few months away. Eager to see the other two guys who will be riding the Cleeks with us next year, and looking forward to seeing Martin again soon. I’m thrilled to be returning to the Cleeks because I think this year will be really good for us.”
The team’s motto is “Multiple major winner Martin Kaymer leads a line-up that fully respects golf’s traditions but is fully committed to creating new chapters in the sport’s rich history,” according to the official LIV Golf website. Cleeks are determined to succeed in this new format with each swing of their utterly contemporary clubs.”
As part of his contract, Masters winner Jon Rahm was promised a team, so there is still much speculation as to who will be courted to play alongside him in 2024 at LIV Golf. The Saudi Arabia-backed tour and the Spanish superstar inked an astounding £450 million deal in December.
