Tony Finau confirmed his intention to remain on the PGA Tour.
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Within the newest activate skilled golf’s rumor carousel, Tony Finau is planning to play the PGA Tour in 2024.
And Jon Rahm shouldn’t be.
And ’spherical and ’spherical it goes.
When Rahm announced on Thursday that he’d be leaving the PGA Tour for LIV, golf followers instantly puzzled who’d be subsequent. A few of the loudest rumors instantly surrounded Finau, who’s Rahm’s shut buddy and frequent sparring companion at house in Arizona. The Telegraph was amongst these to report Finau was in talks to affix Rahm’s staff. Social media hypothesis ran wild from there.
Finau, who was in rivalry on the Grant Thornton Invitational over the weekend, voiced his help for Rahm.
“Yeah, I feel he made one of the best choice that he felt was proper for his household and himself,” Finau told Sports activities Illustrated on Friday. “I’m glad for him.”
As for his personal future? Finau didn’t take a tough stance.
“No, not but. I haven’t let something marinate different than simply enjoying proper now,” he told SI. His staff advised GOLF an identical story: simply hypothesis.
However up to now, a non-denial has typically preceded a departure for LIV. Finau’s no-comment was seen by the lens that has given us Cameron Smith, who issued a couple of month’s-worth of “no feedback” earlier than his departure for LIV final fall.
That wasn’t the case for Finau, who posted to Instagram on Monday afternoon squashing LIV rumors and declaring his intentions to be a PGA Tour member come 2024.
“As this 12 months involves an finish I’m grateful to play the sport that I really like and to have the chance to compete on the highest stage,” Finau wrote in what amounted to a year-end reflection submit.
“I’m excited for 2024 and searching ahead to enjoying my tenth season on the PGA Tour! And stoked to be defending in each Mexico and Houston!
“Thanks to my companions on your continued help. Thanks to the followers for all of the love for our complete Finau fam🙏🏾
“See y’all in Maui! 🤙🏾”
Maui refers back to the Sentry, the primary occasion of the 2024 PGA Tour season. Finau added the hashtag #imnotleaving for emphasis.
Notably absent from the Sentry, nevertheless, will probably be its defending champion.
Jon Rahm was formally suspended by the PGA Tour in a memo despatched to gamers from Tour directors — a memo first posted by Monday Q Info and later obtained by GOLF.
The memo introduced that it could be adjusting FedEx Cup eligibility “based mostly on the current announcement made by Jon Rahm.”
“In accordance with the PGA Tour Event Laws, Jon Rahm as been notified that he’s suspended and not eligible to take part in PGA Tour event play resulting from his affiliation with a collection of unauthorized tournaments,” the memo learn.
That cleared up some questions that had existed surrounding Rahm’s eligibility, like whether or not he’d be allowed to compete on the PGA Tour till he really teed it up in his first LIV occasion. It additionally clarified that Rahm’s suspension would bump up the gamers behind him on the FedEx Cup factors checklist.
That had vital ramifications for gamers under him on the FedEx Cup checklist. Mackenzie Hughes jumped to No. 50, punching his ticket to each Signature Occasion in 2024. Alex Smalley moved as much as No. 60, incomes a spot within the Genesis Invitational. Carl Yuan moved to No. 125, permitting him to maintain his card. And Paul Haley moved as much as No. 150, permitting him to keep up conditional standing.
There are extra rumors about extra gamers leaving for LIV, in fact. Meaning current gamers might see their standing proceed to enhance. And it means gamers who’re considering the transfer can anticipate an instantaneous suspension, too.
In fact, there stays the chance that the 2 sides will attain an settlement, too, particularly after the PGA Tour’s Coverage Board introduced it had moved ahead with an funding group and was trying to additional negotiations with the PIF.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan and PIF governer (and LIV chairman) Yasir Al-Rumayyan are anticipated to fulfill this week.
They need to have lots to speak about.
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