Canada’s Hughes Says Men’s Pro Golf ‘In Sad Place’ As Rahm Leaves For LIV

Canadian golfer Mackenzie Hughes says the men’s professional golf drama of the last two years, which has seen the Saudi-backed LIV Golf League grab PGA Tour players for significant sums of money, has left him in a “sad place.”

“Fans want to see the best of the best compete against one another.” Instead, we’re seeing the top players break up,” Hughes wrote on X, now known as Twitter. “It is frustrating to watch.”

Hughes’ remarks came just one day after Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion and world No. 3, declared his intention to join LIV. Rahm’s salary on the breakaway circuit is worth up to $600 million US.

Canada’s Hughes Says Men’s Pro Golf ‘In Sad Place’ As Rahm Leaves For LIV

His departure could also immediately benefit Hughes. The Canadian concluded the 2023 season ranked 51st, one spot short of assured eligibility for the sport’s marquee tournaments, which include higher rewards and prestige, the following season. Hughes may now be able to compete in all those events without worrying about qualifying.

However, the 33-year-old from Dundas, Ontario, who has been on Tour since 2016, stated that “money has changed things.”

“Charity used to be a huge priority on tour, but it’s fallen by the wayside.” LIV has inflated golfers to the point where it has warped our perspective and pushed purses to untenable levels. “The market appears to be broken,” he wrote.

Rahm resigned less than a month before the PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund attempted to consummate their June 6 agreement to become commercial partners in a for-profit venture alongside the European Tour.

Canada’s Hughes Says Men’s Pro Golf ‘In Sad Place’ As Rahm Leaves For LIV

The framework agreement was announced just days before the Canadian Open, astounded the PGA Tour membership and the general public alike, and marked the second year in a row that golf’s larger issues overshadowed the national open after the tournament went head-to-head with the inaugural LIV event, featuring Dustin Johnson, in 2022.

The talks have been slow, and Tiger Woods stated last week that there are many moving factors. Rahm’s 29-year-old status as the most recent defector was the most significant factor.

LIV Golf has seven of the last 14 major winners, substantially weakening the field at PGA Tour events.

The four majors, which operate as separate entities outside of the PGA Tour, continue to be the only tournaments that involve all of the world’s best players, regardless of their allegiances.

Canada’s Hughes Says Men’s Pro Golf ‘In Sad Place’ As Rahm Leaves For LIV

“When I was younger, I dreamed of playing on the PGA Tour,” wrote Hughes, a two-time champion. “I wanted to test myself against the best.” When I arrived, I couldn’t believe how amazing it was. We’ve had various challenges over the years, but it’s still a fantastic place to ‘work.'”

The PGA Tour’s commissioner, Jay Monahan, was supposed to meet with the PIF’s president, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, this week. The meeting was postponed until next week, although it was unclear whether it was still scheduled or how Rahm’s declaration would affect the negotiations.

Hughes challenged the PGA Tour’s leadership to bring it “back to higher ground.”

“The uncertainty has been really difficult for us but I remain hopeful.”

SOURCE – (CBC)