Fred Couples: If players believed in LIV Golf they would join for free

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Fred Couples wants any PGA Tour players defecting to LIV to do so for free. Fred Couples isn't buying Jon Rahm's claims that LIV's growing the game.

Fred Couples wants any PGA Tour players defecting to LIV to do so for free.

Masters champion and golf legend Fred Couples wants players to be honest and admit they’re joining LIV Golf for the money.

The 64-year-old says he’s sick of players leaving the PGA Tour, where he’s won 15 times, to join the Saudi-backed tour and then claiming they’ve moved because “it’s a great product”.

“I want to see the next superstar say, ‘You know why (I’m going to LIV)? Because it’s unreal.'” the former Presidents Cup captain said on Sirius XM. “They play Riviera and TPC Phoenix in front of 300,000 people, but I want them to go for free. And then go on CNN and every TV show and say they’re going because it’s that good.

“$100m doesn’t get it, $200m doesn’t get it, $300m, doesn’t get it, but for $400M it’s a great product and it’s a great show. My ass,” he added, clearly referencing Jon Rahm’s comments after his shock move.

A leaked memo from the PGA Tour to its players confirmed that the Spaniard has been suspended “due to his association with a series of unauthorized tournaments.” It is a standard action, but PGA Tour CEO Jay Monahan has previously waited until players have appeared in a LIV tournament before confirming the suspension.

Jon Rahm finalizes his LIV Golf contract with CEO Greg Norman.

After making the move, Rahm said he hoped he would still be able to tee it up in both the PGA and DP World Tour events and play for Europe in the Ryder Cup. DP World Tour chief Keith Pelley is yet to comment on Rahm’s situation but he will remain eligible for Luke Donald’s team for the defense at Bethpage Black as long as he doesn’t resign his membership and the criteria doesn’t change.

Fred Couples isn't buying Jon Rahm's claims that LIV's growing the game.

With so many players claiming their love of LIV is behind their move, Couples has called on the next player to join to reject the money as proof.

“I want the next guy to go to say ‘I’m going for free boys – I love this tour. I don’t like the PGA Tour anymore,’ ” the former World No.1 said.

“But no one is going to do that. What does that tell me? That it’s all about money. Which is fine, but don’t sit there and say they’re changing the game. What are they changing? For 50 years the game has been changed. Arnold Palmer changed it. Jack Nicklaus changed it. Tiger Woods changed it. The LIV tour ain’t changing a thing.”

Tony Finau won the Rocket Mortgage Classic for his fourth PGA Tour victory and second in a row.

Couples comments came as Tony Finau gave the PGA Tour a welcome boost by confirming he’d be remaining with them for the 2024 season.

The Ryder Cup star has been the subject of huge speculation for the past few weeks, with many sources close to LIV believing the deal was almost done. Finau had been expected to join for around $85m and become part of Jon Rahm’s new four-man team, with Tyrrell Hatton also strongly linked.

But the six-time PGA Tour winner, who is a huge fan favorite, put an end to the rumors with an Instagram post to his 618k followers that included the hashtag #imnotleaving.

“The 2023 season is in the books!” he wrote on Monday. “It was a special and incredible season highlighted with a win at the Mexico Open 🏆 it was my 6th Win on the @pgatour

“Another highlight was reaching the tour championship for the 7th year in a row!

“As this year comes to an end I’m grateful to play the game that I love and to have the opportunity to compete at the highest level.

“I’m excited for 2024 and looking forward to playing my 10th season on the PGA Tour! And stoked to be defending in both Mexico and Houston! Thank you to my partners for your continued support. Thank you to the fans for all the love for our whole Finau fam🙏🏾

“See y’all in Maui! 🤙🏾”

The LIV Golf merger still hangs in the balance

Finau’s decision to reject LIV implies a deal between the PGA Tour and PIF, as revealed in the framework agreement announced in June, remains some way off. If a deal was close we would have expected to see Finau accept the move and the large signing-on fee in the knowledge that he’d quickly be eligible for the PGA Tour again anyway, along with Majors.

Unlike Rahm, Finau is yet to win a Major so has no exemptions for the Grand Slam events in 2024, and with LIV ineligible for Official World Golf Rankings points, which helps to decide the Major fields, a move would have left him facing missing the Masters, US Open, PGA Championship, and The Open.

About the Author

Rob Jerram is Today's Golfer's Digital Editor.

Rob Jerram – Digital Editor

Rob specializes in the DP World Tour, PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and the Ryder Cup, spending large chunks of his days reading about, writing about, and watching the tours each month.

He’s passionate about the equipment used by professional golfers and is also a font of knowledge when it comes to golf balls, golf trolleys, and golf bags, testing thousands down the years.

Rob uses a Callaway Paradym driver, TaylorMade M5 5-wood, TaylorMade P790 driving iron, Callaway Paradym irons (4-AW), TaylorMade MG3 wedges (52º, 58º), Odyssey Tri-Hot 5k Double Wide putter, and Callaway Chrome Soft X golf ball.

You can email Rob or get in touch with him on X.

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