LIV Golf has announced six new signings, bringing to an end weeks of speculation as to who would be the next high-profile players to join the Saudi-backed Series.
However, while Cameron Smith, Joaquin Niemann, Harold Varner III, Cameron Tringale, Marc Leishman and Anirban Lahiri will be teeing it up at the fourth event at Boston, one player who won’t be joining them is Hideki Matsuyama.
Video: What Is LIV Golf?
The Japanese World No.16 had been persistently linked with the Series in recent weeks. However, according to Brian Wacker, at the recent Tiger Woods-led player-only meeting of PGA Tour members, "someone in the room" remarked he was "torn between the money and his legacy" on the PGA Tour.
Latest Saudi LIV Golf defection is official: Cam Smith, Marc Leishman, Harold Varner III, Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Tringale & Anirban Lahiri. Hideki was the one that got away (for now, at least) as he was, from someone in the room, torn between the 💰 and his legacy on tourAugust 30, 2022
The signing of Matsuyama would undoubtedly have been a huge coup for the Saudi-backed venture, as he’s the most famous and successful Asian golfer at the present time. The impact the 30-year-old could have had on LIV Golf was clearly not lost on the organisation, either, with some reports suggesting it was prepared to tempt him with an offer in the region of $400m to sign up, no doubt fully aware of the positive longer-term effect his presence could have had on its sponsorships, TV deals and audience figures.
Regardless, LIV Golf will be buoyed by its latest acquisitions, particularly World No.2 Cameron Smith. However, Matsuyama’s decision to stay put will be a significant boost to the PGA Tour. It revealed unprecedented changes to combat the LIV Golf threat recently, with increased purses and the desire to "bring the game's top players together more often” top of the agenda.
Whether Matsuyama’s decision to remain on the PGA Tour has been influenced by those proposals is unclear, but the 2021 Masters champion, who has eight PGA Tour wins to his name, is building an impressive legacy on the Tour. For now, at least, it seems the appeal of continuing to do that is more attractive than the financial incentives reportedly offered by the Greg Norman-fronted venture.
-
PGA Tour Truist Championship Creator Classic Line-Up And Format RevealedThe PGA Tour has announced the line-up for the second Creator Classic ahead of the Truist Championship - with YouTubers from outside golf taking on the challenge
-
Are You Tired Of Your High-Handicap Golfer Status? These 4 Substantiated Tips Are Your SalvationBeing a high-handicap golfer is not easy, with consistency being difficult to establish and progress hard to come by... until you try these four simple tips!
-
LIV Golfers Back Decision To Split Australian OpenCameron Smith has welcomed the decision to hold the men's and women's Australian Opens separately - saying it will help to strengthen both tournaments
-
Hideki Matsuyama Accidentally Throws Club Into The Crowd Before Miracle EscapeHideki Matsuyama threw his driver into the crowd and had a miraculous escape from the trees to card the most memorable birdie of the year so far in Hawaii
-
The Prototype Scotty Cameron Putter Hideki Matsuyama Used To Shoot A PGA Tour Scoring Record At The SentryThe Japanese star carded a 35-under PGA Tour record at The Sentry, with one of the reasons being down to his prototype Scotty Cameron putter
-
Hideki Matsuyama Breaks PGA Tour Scoring Record On Route To Winning The SentryThe 2021 Masters champion blew the field away at Kapalua Resort's Plantation Course to win by three strokes and pick up the first PGA Tour trophy of 2025
-
Smith Blames Protege Smylie As 'Common Denominator' In Latest Slow Play WarningCameron Smith saw his second round crumble at the Australian Open after being put on the clock - which he appeared to partially blame on his young protege Elvis Smylie
-
'That's A Bull**** Excuse' - Cameron Smith Sounds Off Over 'Disappointing' Course Conditions At Australian OpenThe LIV player aired his frustration over soft and slow conditions at both Kingston Heath and Victoria Golf Club and refused to accept recent heavy rain was primarily responsible
-
'A Dream Come True' - Elvis Smylie Outlasts 'Idol' And Mentor Cameron Smith To Land Australian PGA Championship TitleThe young left-hander secured his maiden DP World Tour title by two strokes over the former Open Champion, who he had previously been mentored by
-
BMW Australian PGA Championship Prize Money Payout 2024Cameron Smith is one of a host of big names competing at Royal Queensland Golf Club as the new DP World Tour season gets underway
