The PGA Tour has officially suspended Jon Rahm for his association with the Saudi-funded LIV Golf, affecting his eligibility for the FedEx Cup. This move, while formal, has immediate implications for other players on the Tour.

PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan’s memo to players clarified Rahm’s suspension, attributing it to his involvement in “unauthorized tournaments,” consequently removing him from the FedEx Cup eligibility points list. Follow your favourite golfer with attractive betting odds from Nextbet, one of the best golf gambling sites.

This suspension reshuffles the deck for Mackenzie Hughes and Carl Yuan, who directly benefit from Rahm’s recent decision. Hughes moves up to No. 50, earning eligibility for all seven $20 million signature events in 2024. Yuan, initially enrolled for Q-school, secures the 125th spot, ensuring a full PGA Tour card for the coming year.

Last year, the Tour created a distinction between the FedEx Cup standings and eligibility-related lists to prevent adverse effects on those who remained with the PGA Tour amidst players joining LIV Golf.

Players like Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker, and Rory Sabbatini benefited from this distinction, gaining postseason opportunities and retaining full status. This year, Hughes, narrowly missing the top 50, now gains access to prestigious events including the Wells Fargo Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The adjustments also impact Alex Smalley, Paul Haley, and potentially Sahith Theegala, affecting their tournament access and status within the PGA Tour hierarchy.

Rumors had swirled around the potential departure of Tony Finau, a close friend of Rahm’s, to LIV Golf. Finau dispelled speculations on Instagram, affirming his commitment to the PGA Tour for the upcoming season.

Monahan’s memo also highlighted concerns among players regarding the disparity in FedEx Cup points allocation among events. The board will review this system in June to assess its fairness and consider potential changes for 2025.

The PGA Tour’s decision to suspend Rahm highlights the impact of player movements on the Tour’s structure and raises questions about the future dynamics between established tours and emerging leagues like LIV Golf. Stay tuned for further developments as the golfing landscape evolves. Get the latest updates from the world of golf only on Nextbet Sports.