Bookie slashes odds on more PGA Tour defections to LIV
Tyrrell Hatton of England plays a stroke from the No. 2 tee during Round 1 of the Masters at Augusta National Golf Club, Thursday, April 8, 2021.
An Irish bookie has slashed odds on Tyrrell Hatton, Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele joining LIV Golf in 2024.
Jon Rahm's $500 million-plus signing guarantees there will be a new 13th team next season, and coupled with some gaps, there's sure to be some movement in the next few weeks.
LIV Golf Commissioner and CEO Greg Norman insists Rahm has been hit with a barrage of enquiries from PGA Tour stars looking to make the move.
"I'll be honest with you, since Jon signed, I know he's been inundated by players saying, 'I want to play on your team, Jon. How do I get on that?'" Norman said.
"And I have been inundated and my other team members, too, my C-suite within the organisation. I can tell you, hand on my heart, between eight and 12 guys for about two or three spots and maybe two spots, to be honest with you."
Two spots remain to be filled on the Cleeks, which saw Graeme McDowell fall into free agency and sign for Brooks Koepka's Smash.
Martin Kaymer does not have equity in the team, so a new team captain is rumoured to be heading there to join the German and England's Richard Bland.
According to bookie BoyleSports, Hatton, Cantlay and Schauffele are now all odds-on to join LIV before the 2024 season tees off, with Hatton red-hot favourite at odds of 1/4.
Hatton has come in from 7/4 to 1/4 this week, while fan favourite Rickie Fowler has seen his odds slashed to 6/4 from 6/1.
While Tony Finau has drifted to 10/1 from 7/4 after committing his future to the PGA this week, Viktor Hovland and Tommy Fleetwood are priced at 4/1.
LIV Golfers are now 1/3 to win a Major in 2024, with Rahm, Koepka, Cameron Smith, Bryson DeChambeau, Sergio Garcia and Talor Gooch all realistic options for punters.
Rory McIlroy, who has said he hates LIV Golf, remains a 50/1 shot, while Shane Lowry is also unlikely to take the road to Riyadh at odds of 10/1.
Brian O'Keeffe, spokesperson for BoyleSports, said: "Momentum is gathering behind more big names taking the Saudi plunge, and we've been forced to slash the odds on several stars, including Tyrell Hatton, Rickie Fowler and Collin Morikawa.
"Irish eyes are smiling, however, with Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry seemingly resistant to the lure of the petrodollars."
To Join LIV Before the 2024 Season Starts
1/4 Tyrell Hatton
8/11 Patrick Cantlay
8/11 Xander Shauffele
6/4 Collin Morikawa
6/4 Rickie Fowler
3/1 Hideki Matsuyama
4/1 Tommy Fleetwood
4/1 Viktor Hovland
8/1 Matt Fitzpatrick
9/1 Jordan Speith
9/1 Scottie Scheffler
10/1 Tony Finau
10/1 Shane Lowry
50/1 Rory McIlroy
LIV Tour Specials
1/3 A LIV Golfer to win a Major in 2024
6/4 A LIV Golfer to win two or more Majors in 2024
13/8 A LIV Golfer to win the 2024 Masters
15/8 A LIV Golfer to win the 2024 US Open
ENDS
