GolfMagic understands PGA Tour star Tony Finau is “highly likely” to join the LIV Golf League in 2024.
PGA Tour star Tony Finau is understood to be “very close” to joining the LIV Golf League ahead of the 2024 season, multiple sources have confirmed to GolfMagic.
Finau has been linked with a move to the breakaway Saudi-bankrolled golf league led by CEO Greg Norman ever since 2022.
But the Finau rumours are gaining real momentum by the hour at the moment, especially in light of his good friend Jon Rahm sending shockwaves through the sport by joining LIV Golf on December 7.
In the last 48 hours, GolfMagic has received communication from multiple sources indicating that six-time PGA Tour winner Finau is “highly likely” to sign with LIV Golf prior to the commencement of their third season in February 2024.
According to Golf Lover UK, one of our sources who has accurately predicted several LIV Golf signings over the last two seasons, there are “too many noises to ignore when it comes to Tony Finau.”
Golf Lover UK has since tweeted:
“Given the remarks made over the past 12 hours and several weeks, I’d be shocked if Finau wasn’t on LIV Golf before the season began.”
Finau is very close to joining LIV Golf, according to one of our sources, and he is eager to move because he enjoys team sports, according to another.
Finau is playing alongside LPGA Tour player Nelly Korda at the Grant Thornton Invitational on the PGA Tour right now.
The PGA Tour and LPGA Tour both support the season-ending team event.
Korda and Finau, who are both Grant Thornton ambassadors, raced to the top of the board in Friday’s Texas Scramble first round with a blistering 16-under par 56.
Finau then gave perhaps the biggest clue yet that he will be heading to LIV Golf with his choice of comment following the first round:
The best golfing is done in a team.
A group of reporters then questioned him more about his name being connected to a move to LIV Golf.
When asked if he had any thoughts about his name being mentioned, Finau responded as follows:
“Not just yet, no. I’m just playing right now; I haven’t let anything marinade.”
Then, SI.com contacted the Nike employee to ask him what he thought about his close friend Rahm switching to LIV Golf.
Finau replied:
Yes, I believe he made the best choice he felt was appropriate for himself and his family. I’m glad for him.
Then, Chris Armstrong, Finau’s agent, told SI.com that “everything is rumor and speculation” about any potential transfer to LIV.
Finau is not on the list of players who have been invited to join Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new Tour of Golf, which is supported by the PGA Tour, it should be noted.
The stadium’s roof collapsing last month has caused the TGL, which was scheduled to begin in January 2024, to start in January 2025 instead.
Rahm removed his name from the TGL list last month, and we think that was one of the several indications that he was headed to LIV Golf.
Finau’s current situation could be problematic because, despite being ranked number 21 in the world and lacking any significant victories, LIV Golf’s continued ban from awarding OWGR points means that, in the years to come, he may not be guaranteed a spot in the majors.
This will no doubt be something Finau is weighing up right now.
But who knows what the professional golf scene will look like in 2024 and beyond given the impending PGA Tour / Saudi PIF merger, which has three weeks left to go.
Finau might join LIV Golf before the 2024 season begins, but there’s no guarantee he’d be able to play for Rahm’s squad.
Finau and Rahm share the same home course, Silverleaf in Arizona, and over the years, they have frequently teamed up for PGA Tour practice rounds as well as major championship matches.
Pro Golf Critic, who has been sharing some amazing observations on everything going on with LIV Golf, tweeted:
“At this point, Big Tone is a dead cert for LIV Golf, but there’s a very slim chance he plays for Rahm’s squad.”
On December 7, Rahm made the announcement that he was LIV Golf’s most recent and significant recruit in an interview with Fox News.
It is believed that the World No. 3 had to accept a hefty £450 million fee as part of a multi-year LIV Golf contract.
Rahm’s squad is still pending confirmation.
Will Rahm’s decision to join LIV Golf now pave the way for even more PGA Tour stars to follow him through the front door?
Time will tell, but Big Tone could be next.
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