Martin Kaimer has decided to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Tour Photo: AP/Amy Kontras
LIV Golf rebel Martin Kaimer believes that the “hypocrites” of golf should go and play the Japanese tour if they can't tolerate receiving money from the Saudis after the PGA Tour made a deal with the Kingdom's investment fund for a sports merger.
These two are multiple winners majors also joined multiple majors winner Padraig Harrington in calling for Europe's LIV Golf rebels to be allowed to compete in September's Ryder Cup, but “almost certainly” the rules won't be changed in time despite a merger with the Saudi Sovereign Wealth Fund.
Former world number one Kaimer revealed that he followed the lead of Sergio Garcia, Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter by retiring from his home circuit after he was given a fine believed to be approaching £500,000, as well as a lengthy disqualification. But by turning in their cards, these former blue-and-gold stalwarts have effectively forfeited themselves from the match in Rome, even if Captain Luke Donald wants to name them in his six wildcards.
However, while Kaimer admits that as he returns from a wrist injury, his form is currently nowhere near good enough to warrant a selection no matter what, he does believe that Garcia in particular would be worthy of his place, especially as world No. 2 John Rahm expressed his desire to reform the successful partnership with Spain.
“Now it's all come together, right, so let's show it to the world and let the best players in America play against the best players in Europe.” Kaimer told Telegraph Sport. “I think it would be one of the greatest Ryder Cups if they did. Why can't they? With this deal, they showed that everything can be done, and quickly.”
The comments echo those of Harrington, who told Telegraph Sport on Friday that the rebels should be “given a sort of clean slate” and that Donald, his successor as skipper, “should now be able to pick his best team.” Kaimer also pointed out an anomaly where US LIV players are allowed to qualify and be selected. “It makes sense and the fans will love it,” he said.
Kaimer celebrates winning the European Ryder Cup 2012 in Medina. Photo: Getty Images/Ross Kinnaird
But the Tour's leading figure disproved that theory. “Look, the announcement on Tuesday says nothing will change in terms of membership and itinerary back to the Tour until the end of the season,” the source said. “And Keith Pelley [Tour CEO] made it clear that before anyone gets their card back, they will have to pay their outstanding fines and serve their sentence for violating Tour rules and playing LIV tournaments without exception.
Tur was brought to trial by the rebels and at that hearing was given the power to impose sanctions, which was seen as a 'landmark' verdict. It cost Tur millions and they have to abide by it. There would be an outcry among the players who remained loyal if they were simply allowed to return as if nothing had happened.
“The Tour had its players on Tuesday and it was as hot as it was across the Atlantic when the rank and file told Pelli there had to be consequences. It would be anarchy if he just ripped it all up now, even if it helped the Ryder Cup team.”
Inevitably, this question became one of the main dilemmas for the Tours after the shotgun wedding. revealed: how to get LIV players back into the ranks and not upset the superstars who resisted the Saudi shilling.
Jimmy Dunn, PGA Tour board member and prominent investment banker who played a key role in bringing Jay Monahan, PGA Tour commissioner, to the negotiating table with Public Investment Fund manager Yasser Al Rumayan, suggested that loyalists receive share in the newly-established company to overcome the shortage.
Dunn also stated that as CEO of a new company with a majority on the board, Monahan has “the authority to determine whether the breakaway scheme continues beyond the end of this season.” Another senior Tour official insists that if Monahan does include a team element in the reformed schedule, it will not be called “LIV” and will be different in format.
The thorny path to the unity of golf
Monahan said all that is included in the agreement is “a commitment to make a good faith effort to look at team golf and the role it can play in the future.” So things look bleak for the LIV brand, and perhaps for its players.
However, this contradicts what Kaimer and the other 15 team captains said, as told to them by Al-Rumayyan himself. “Yasir called me on Tuesday and said, ‘We don’t know where this is going yet,’ but congratulated me on making the right choice and trusting the entire product. And I'm very proud of myself for doing it. That PIF came in now and bought the PGA Tour, supported the PGA Tour, I think everyone was surprised.”
Kimer is convinced that under conditions that remain uncertain and will continue until the calendar appears In the coming grueling months of analysis and horse trading, Al Rumayan's vision will play a big role. What is certain is that PIF is investing billions in the new conglomerate, and Kaimer wonders how some players will feel about this.
“I'm really looking forward to the reaction of all the people who said, 'We don't want to play for blood money…' we don't want to sell our soul,” he said. “Well, now they need to move to Japan [and play the Japan Tour] to stay true to their word.”
Kaimer said he battled allegations of “sports cheating” before signing a contract last year and receiving an upfront payment reportedly worth about $30 million. “I think you just have to follow your intuition and what you believe in,” he said. “I stood up for my values and stood up for the feelings in my heart. I was brave enough and stood up for myself in front of many people, including here in Germany, who criticized me and scolded me. Oddly enough, they sent me nice messages [since the announcement]. It's such a hypocritical world we live in… so it's even more important to make your own decisions. Don't judge too much, because when all is said and done, you can do the same.”
Kimer, 38, plays in the US Open, which starts at a Los Angeles country club. The 2014 champion doesn't expect a rush in the locker room.
“The players are good to each other, so I don’t worry about it,” he said. “I think officials need to answer a few questions. I feel a little sorry for the PGA Tour players who believed everything that was said. But at the end of the day, you know, everyone will have a hot meal on their plate.”
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