Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Wyndham Clark to LIV Rumors: U.S. Open Champ Staying with PGA.. For Now

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Ross Baran | Last updated 1/18/24

The golf world prepared for another shock this week when reports indicated current US Open champion and Ryder Cup member Wyndham Clark would join LIV Golf and round out Jon Rahm's new team on the tour. It was speculated for some time that Clark was a likely candidate to jump ship due to his quick rise to fame on the PGA Tour. With Rahm looking to fill out his roster and only a few weeks left until the LIV's season begins, it seemed that the PGA had lost another star to its rival... until they didn't.

BREAKING: Wyndham Clark’s team was in talks with LIV Golf, but he has turned down the offer due to more reasons than money
— Pull Hook Golf (@PullHookGolf) January 16, 2024

PGA Dodged a Bullet

Clark had reportedly been in talks with LIV for weeks dating back to before Christmas, but it seems he has bigger goals he would like to accomplish on Tour this year.

This is music to the PGA's ears as the Tour simply couldn't afford to have three of the four reigning major champions flip to LIV Golf. The PGA doesn't own the majors, but it still would've been a terrible look for the league to have its champions join a rival tour.

When Jon Rahm left for LIV, I speculated that LIV Golf had nothing in its way from going after Clark and even Brian Harman to get all four major champions under its umbrella. The PGA temporarily dodged a bullet with Clark staying put, but time is of the essence.

What's On Tap Next?

The PGA needs to act quickly and get its act together to execute a PIF deal. The Tour can't afford to lose more current stars as it's already losing future stars and up-and-coming college players with several making the jump to LIV last week. If the PGA Tour continues to drag its feet and refuses to swallow its pride, a PIF deal will be difficult to iron out with the Masters deadline quickly approaching.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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