PGA stars such as Woods and McIlroy “Growth of LIV golf – growing interest in innovation”
Yon Lam (left), who has represented the Professional Golf Association of America (PGA) Tour, stood in front of the camera on the 8th, wearing a LIV golf jumper and raising his thumb, along with LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman. The PGA Tour was shocked by the transfer of Ram, who had been at the forefront of expressing negative views about LIV golf.
Yon Lam (29, Spain), the most successful player on the PGA Tour this season, will receive a large down payment and transfer to LIV Golf, sponsored by Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund (PIF). When Ram's transfer to LIV, which had only been rumored, became a reality, the PGA Tour was shocked.
Ram said in an interview with Fox TV in the US on the 8th, “I have decided to join LIV Golf.” He plans to compete starting at the LIV Golf Mayakoba Tournament in Mexico next February. Rahm, who won four major championships on the PGA Tour this year, including the Masters, is a star who has represented the PGA Tour along with the 'Golf Emperor' Tiger Woods (USA) and Rory McIlroy (Northern Ireland). He is also named among the five finalists for the PGA Tour's 'Player of the Year' along with Scotty Scheffler (USA), the world's number one men's golf player, and McIlroy.
Ram has always expressed negative views on LIV Golf, which was launched last year. When LIV Golf took out Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, and Bryson DeChambeau (all of the United States) with a huge amount of 'oil money', he said, "I have never played golf for money." Unlike the PGA Tour, which is a four-round, 72-hole tournament, LIV Golf was also negative about holding a three-round, 54-hole tournament. When Ram announced the transfer, saying, “I am proud to have joined LIV,” the PGA Tour was shocked and felt betrayed.
Ram eventually changed his mind due to the ‘oil money’ offensive. Lam said, “I was very interested in the growth and innovation of LIV Golf. “He offered an attractive amount, so we signed a contract,” he said. Although there are differences in estimates depending on the local media, it is known that Lam will receive a down payment of at least $300 million (approximately 392.5 billion won) and up to $600 million (approximately 785 billion won). This amount far exceeds the $200 million that Mickelson received when he moved to LIV Golf. Johnson and DeChambeau each received $150 million.
Ram, who debuted on the PGA Tour in 2016, has won a total of 11 wins, including two major championships, so far this year, and has accumulated prize money of $51.55 million (about 67.4 billion won). By transferring to LIV Golf, Ram has gained up to 11 times more money than the total prize money he has earned so far.
Ram's transfer is expected to have an impact on the merger discussions between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The two organizations agreed in June of this year to merge. LIV Golf's voice may grow louder during future integration-related discussions. 19가이드03