The PGA Tour heads to Hawaii for the first tournament of the 2024 calendar. The main headline coming into this tournament is the recent departure of 2022 champion Jon Rahm to LIV Golf.
Rahm’s departure sent waves through the golf world as his departure mark’s the highest ranked player to defect from the PGA Tour since Cam Smith left for LIV Golf last August.
Rahm, was subsequently suspended from the PGA Tour despite the ongoing talks between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund on the framework agreement that was agreed upon this past June by both sides.
As the deadline has passed with no final terms agreed to, many wonder if a deal is possible with the defection of one of the PGA Tour’s best players.
Despite the talks Rahm was still immediately suspended by the PGA Tour.
The suspension means that the defending champion will not be in the field for this year’s Maui event or for the American Express and Genesis Invitation which Rahm won in 2023.
However, with his win at the Master’s Rahm will still receive a yearly invite to Augusta National for his remaining playing days.
After Rahm’s departure eyes turned to Tony Finau who was also rumored to be heading to LIV Golf. After giving a “no comment” response to a question during media availability during the Grant Thornton Invitational, Finau took to Instagram to announce this intention to defend his championships in Houston and in Mexico. Also that he was ready for Maui referring to the Sentry Tournament of Champions.
Its curious if Tony’s legal exposure in his home state of Utah played into his current decidion not to head to LIV Golf at the moment.
Finau is currently being sued by former backers of his during his amateur days who are seeking amoung other thing, 20% of Tony’s career earnings. It’s unclear how a lump sum from LIV Golf would affect those proceedings if the plaintiffs are successful in their suit.
This will be Tony’s fifth trip to Kapalua Resort for the Sentry Tournament of Champions. In four previous trips Finau’s best finish was last year’s 7th place result. Tony qualified for this year’s event by winning at the Mexico Open at Vidanta, and the Cadence Bank Houston Open.
Tony did manage to play some PGA Tour Golf in December. He finished in a tie for 4th at the Hero World Challenge the first week in December, and another tier for fourth the following week at the Grant Thornton Invitational team event with partner Nelly Korda from the LPGA Tour.
Sahith Theegala is also in the field this week, which will be his Second trip to the Plantation Course at Kapalua. Theegala qualified for the Sentry by winning the Fortinet Championship back in September, the first of his young career.
Theegala was last in action at the Grant Thornton Invitational in December where with partner Rose Zhang finished in a tie for 9th place.
Tee Times (est)
Finau: Thursday – 2:21pm; Friday – 4:27pm
Theegala: Thursday – 4:27pm; Friday – 2:21pm
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