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PGA Tour 2022, St. Jude Championship, Will Zalatoris wins playoff, Sepp Straka, final leaderboard, results, video, FedEx Cup, Adam Scott

Will Zalatoris has claimed his first-ever tournament win on tour, taking out the FedEx St. Jude Championship in a thrilling duel with Sepp Straka on Monday.

With the victory, Zalatoris rockets up to No.1 in the FedEx Cup points and takes home a cool $18 million ($A25m) in prize money.

It was a tight race to the finish, with Straka sinking a birdie putt to get to 14-under and tie Zalatoris for the lead on the 10th.

At that point the pair were two clear of the rest of the pack and just could not be separated, with Zalatoris salvaging pair with a chip shot on the par-4 15th.

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Unlucky two-stroke penalty costs Smith | 00:58

Straka then matched Zalatoris’ birdie on 16 to tie his rival at 15 under heading into the final two holes.

It would come down to the final hole of the round, with Zalatoris coming up clutch to drain a big par putt on 18, leaving Straka needing a birdie to win the tournament.

The Austrian responded with a spectacular shot from rough to put himself in a position to do that but missed the 22-foot putt just to the left, instead settling for par to force a playoff.

Straka took a gamble with a drive towards the water but it landed in the fairway while Zalatoris’ shot was in first cut right.

Zalatoris looked in with a chance of taking the win after a heavy putt from Straka but the Austrian came up clutch to save par and send it to another hole.

Zalatoris was up first on the second playoff hole, hitting it far right near the cart path but just inbounds while Straka’s tee shot went left, pulling up just short of the water and in the rough.

The American responded with a solid layup while Straka decided to take a stroke penalty, following it up with an unbelievable shot to put the pressure on Zalatoris.

The 25-year-old though came up big with a clutch putt to save par, which Straka matched to send the playoff to a third hole.

The drama, of course, was far from over with Zalatoris’ tee shot on the third danced on the rock wall before settling while Straka also sent his right as it bounced into the water.

Zalatoris' ball just stayed in.
Zalatoris’ ball just stayed in.Source: FOX SPORTS

Straka then put his next shot in the bunker, while after an agonizing debate with his team, Zalatoris opted to head to the drop zone.

It proved the right call in the end as Zalatoris hit it close to the hole to successfully putt seven foot for bogey and the win.

It was an incredible turnaround for Zalatoris, who was nine shots back in 86th place after the first round, with it looking more likely he would miss cut than win the whole thing.

Zalatoris’ fiancée even asked him what plans he had for the weekend, seemingly convinced he would not be going much further.

“She meant that in all good fun,” Zalatoris told reporters, later asked what answer he gave her.

“I told her let’s cross that bridge when we get there,” Zalatoris said, and it never came.

Instead, Zalatoris recovered to head into the final round just a few shots off the lead and would later be the winner of his first PGA Tour trophy.

McCarthy makes birdie from a cupholder?! | 01:08

Elsewhere, Cameron Smith’s final round at the FedEx St Jude Championship may not have gone to plan but it was a different story for fellow Australian Adam Scott on Monday.

Scott entered the week at No. 77 in the FedEx Cup, needing to move his way into the top-70 to play in week two and did just that courtesy of a brilliant final round.

The 42-year-old carded a 66 in his final round to move up to 44th in the rankings, qualifying for next week’s BMW Championships as a result.

Scott had stormed to the top of the leaderboard at 11 under midway through the final round but will certainly still settle for Monday’s final result.

Smith finishes 13th in St Jude C’ship | 04:26

“I played really poorly yesterday and somehow shot a decent score and to turn it around and play solid today and give myself a chance to go through, I’m happy with that,” he told reporters.

“I get to play four rounds next week. My golf was been good and I’ve got nothing out of it, I feel like even though I’m not winning this event, I’m getting something out of this week so hopefully that’s good for the confidence going into next week.

“I feel like my game is in a good enough spot that I wasn’t searching for anything this week. It was really about putting my mind to do something and getting it done.

“Sometimes that is the hardest thing at this point in my career, week after week, switching the mind on all the time, floating around on auto pilot some times and that does not get you very far.”

Meanwhile, fellow Australian Smith, who was the betting favorite going into the final round of play, copped a two-stroke penalty in a big blow to his bid to become world number one.

FINAL LEADERBOARD

S1 — Will Zalatoris (-15) — won in playoff

T1 — Sepp Straka (-15)

S3 — Lucas Glover (-12)

S3—Brian Harman (-12)

S5—Trey Mullinax (-11)

S5—Matt Fitzpatrick (-11)

T5 — Tony Finau (-11)

S5—Andrew Putnam (-11)

S5—Adam Scott (-11)

S5—Colin Morikawa (-11)

S5—Jon Rahm (-11)

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St Jude Championship scores, Cameron Smith, LIV Golf, Aussies in action, latest, updates

JJ Spaun birdied two of the last three holes to shoot a two-under par 68 for a one-stroke lead after Saturday’s third round of the US PGA Tour’s St. Jude Championship.

Spaun tapped in to birdie the par-5 16th and holed a 17-foot birdie putt at the 17th then stood alone at the top after Austrian Sepp Straka missed a nine-foot par putt at the 18th at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.

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The 31-year-old American stood on 13-under 197 through 54 holes with Straka on 198 after shooting 68.

British Open champion Cameron Smith of Australia fired 67 to share third on 199 with Americans Will Zalatoris and Trey Mullinax. Americans Tyler Duncan and Troy Merritt were another stroke adrift.

However, Smith had to cop some stick from fans as he walked the course.

The tournament opens the FedEx Cup playoffs, three season-ending events with a winner’s prize of $18 million.

Only 125 players qualified on season points and only the top 70 advance to next week’s BMW Championship, where the 30 qualifiers for the Tour Championship in Atlanta are decided.

‘Ready to cop some heat’ Smith talks LIV | 00:49

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World No. 1 commits ultimate golfing sin on Smith … sparking storm about whether he meant it

‘Ready to cop some heat’: Cam Smith’s big admission over $140m PGA bombshell

Spaun won his first PGA title after 147 tour starts in April at the Texas Open while Straka, who missed six consecutive cuts coming into this week, won his first PGA title in February at the Honda Classic.

Spaun began with nine pars before a bogey at 10, but sank an 11-foot birdie putt at the par-3 11th and overtook Straka with his closing surge.

After a birdie-bogey start, Straka sank a 15-foot birdie putt at the fifth hole and another from just inside 12 feet at the sixth to seize the outright lead, but he fell back with a bogey at seven.

Straka took the lead alone with a 16-foot birdie putt at the 13th and grabbed a two-stroke lead by sinking a six-foot birdie putt at 15, setting the stage for Spaun’s run.

Zalatoris, still chasing his first PGA Tour victory, was a runner-up this year at the PGA Championship and US Open and last year in his Masters debut.

“I played on the biggest stages in three majors and I felt comfortable in those positions,” he said.

“I haven’t gotten a win out of it yet. Eventually we will and hopefully tomorrow is it.”

LIV golfers still welcome in Australia | 01:46

World number 14 Zalatoris, who turns 26 on Tuesday, has a PGA-high eight top-10 finishes without a victory this season.

“Today was awesome,” Zalatoris said of his 65.

“Tee to green was great and I rolled in a couple nice putts, so I just need to keep that going.”

Zalatoris split with caddy Ryan Goble last week and new caddy Joel Stock has read his putts the past 36 holes.

“It has been great,” Zalatoris said.

“He has been awesome. Obviously it has paid off. He’s doing a good job.”

Mullinax, who shot 66, won his first PGA title at last month’s Barbasol Championship.

He began the week 70th in points, the last spot to advance, but is in position to leap into the top 30.

“Been playing really well,” he said. “Just going out and sticking to the game plan.”

Duncan birdied four of the first six holes to shoot 67.

It has been 77 starts without a top-10 finish for Duncan since his lone PGA victory at the 2019 RSM Classic.

Rickie Fowler found water twice on the way to a quintuple-bogey nine on the 18th hole. He shot 72 to stand on 208, likely dooming his bid to advance in the playoffs.

LEADERBOARD (AFTER 3 ROUNDS)

1st: JJ Spaun -13

2nd: Sepp Staka -12

S3: Will Zalatoris -11

S3: Trey Mullinax – 11

S3: Cameron Smith -11

S6: Tyler Duncan -10

S6: Troy Merritt -10

AUSSIES IN ACTION

S3: Cameron Smith -11

S25: Adam Scott -7

T36: Cam Davis -5

69th: Marc Leishman +3

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FedEx Cup Playoffs; Cameron Smith joins LIV, St Jude Championship, scores, Jason Day

World No.2 Cameron Smith kept his cool amid a growing storm about his potential defection to Saudi-backed LIV Golf and declared he was ready to “cop some heat” for pre-tournament denials.

The Telegraph this week reported Smith had inked $140 million (AUD) to join the Greg Norman-run league with fellow Aussie Marc Leishman.

Smith was pressed on the report ahead of the start of the FedEex Cup Playoffs and refused to be drawn on it.

“You know, my goal here is to win the FedExCup Playoffs,” Smith said.

“That’s all I’m here for. I’m a man of my word and whenever you guys need to know anything, it’ll be said by me.”

But after carding an opening round three-under at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, the world No.2 said he understood the line of questioning.

“I’m ready to cop some heat. I understand that’s what I’ve said,” Smith told Sky Sports having declared any news on a move would come from him.

“I’m here to win the FedEx Cup playoffs, that’s my number one goal. Whatever happens after that will come from me.”

The comments will likely be interpreted by some as strengthening of the case that he has flawed to the rebel tour which has already signed up the likes of Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka and Sergio Garcia.

But while Smith remains in focus Jason Day, who withdrew from last week’s PGA Tour event with illness, carded a bogey-free round of 65 to sit just off the pace in a share of fifth late in the opening round at the $21m St Jude Classic, three shots behind the leaders.

Only the top 70 finishers will progress to the next event and remain in the hunt for the biggest payday in golf, outside of signing a LIV deal.

Day, who hasn’t won since 2018 and has slipped to 147th on the world rankings, said he wasn’t getting lost in thinking too far ahead.

“You’re always just trying like to just blend everything together and hopefully it will click,” Day said.

“I’m not getting too excited about anything right now, just got to stay patient as much as I can because the more and more I start thinking about outcomes and being able to get into next week, it just does nothing for me, or at least anything positive for me.

Cameron Smith had an up-and-down round.  Picture: Andy Lyons/Getty Images
Cameron Smith had an up-and-down round. Picture: Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

“It actually gives you more anxiety and a lot of other stuff that comes along with it.

“I feel pretty good about the opening round and looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Adam Scott was the next best Aussie at four-under, a score that could have been better if not for a double-bogey five on the par three 14th hole when his tee shot found the water.

Smith, who could assume the world No.1 ranking with a victory in Memphis, depending on where current world No.1 Scottie Scheffler finishes, carded an up-and-down opening round 67, which included an eagle and two bogeys, to be five off the lead.

Scheffler opening with a one-over par 71.

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Jason Day leads Australian charge at $21m St Jude Classic

Former world no.1 Jason Day decided to ditch the “anxiety” that comes with worrying about outcomes and pushed himself into contention at the opening event of the FedEx Cup Playoffs where winning isn’t the only goal.

World No.2 Cameron Smith kept his cool amid a growing storm about his potential defection to Greg Norman’s Saudi-backed LIV Golf and declared he was ready to “cop some heat” for pre-tournament denials after his own solid opening round a the St JudeClassic.

In a sign interpreted by some as strengthening Smith’s reported $140 million LIV defection, the Australian was point-blank after his opening round of 67 about the continued questioning.

“I’m ready to cop some heat. I understand that’s what I’ve said,” Smith told Sky Sports having declared any news on a move would come from him.

“I’m here to win the FedEx Cup playoffs, that’s my number one goal. Whatever happens after that will come from me.”

But while Smith remains in focus Day, who withdrew from last week’s PGA Tour event with illness, carded a bogey-free round of 65 to sit just off the pace in a share of fifth late in the opening round at the $21m St Jude Classic , three shots behind the leaders.

Only the top 70 finishers will progress to the next event and remain in the hunt for the biggest payday in golf, outside of signing a LIV deal.

Day, who hasn’t won since 2018 and has slipped to 147th on the world rankings, said he wasn’t getting lost in thinking too far ahead.

“You’re always just trying like to just blend everything together and hopefully it will click,” Day said.

“I’m not getting too excited about anything right now, just got to stay patient as much as I can because the more and more I start thinking about outcomes and being able to get into next week, it just does nothing for me, or at least anything positive for me.

“It actually gives you more anxiety and a lot of other stuff that comes along with it.

“I feel pretty good about the opening round and looking forward to the rest of the week.”

Adam Scott was the next best Aussie at four-under, a score that could have been better if not for a double-bogey five on the par three 14th hole when his tee shot found the water.

Smith, who could assume the world No.1 ranking with a victory in Memphis, depending on where current world No.1 Scottie Scheffler finishes, carded an up-and-down opening round 67, which included an eagle and two bogeys, to be five off the lead.

Scheffler opening with a one-over par 71.

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Hannah Green expects strong field for home summer

Winning the Australian Open is as important as claiming another major for the showpiece event’s newest recruit, Hannah Green.

Now the race is on to have her colleagues thinking the same way as organizers tackle the remaining roadblocks in getting more big-names to sign on.

This year’s Australian Open — held on December 1-4 at Victoria Golf Club and Kingston Heath — promises to be one of the biggest in recent memory with the men’s and women’s fields now combined, and playing for $1.7 million AUD in prize money each.

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Meanwhile, the pandemic has left some of Australia’s biggest players, such as Cameron Smith, homeick and eyeing extended stays down under this summer.

That plays into the hands of the Australian Open, which, after a three-year hiatus, could see a strong local contingent play, including the returning Smith and Marc Leishman.

And yet, organizers are still faced with a number of challenges in confirming more stars alongside Green, and world No.49 Lucas Herbert.

Tiger rejects $1 Billion offer from LIV | 01:00

Herbert is the biggest star from the men’s side to officially commit, while Green is the only confirmed player in the women’s field, although Karrie Webb is expected to make her appearance official in the coming weeks.

Green told reporters on Tuesday that she’s trying to give players a nudge to make the trip to Australia, but noted late-year sponsor events, the lack of a LPGA co-sanction, and Thanksgiving in America, as potential roadblocks.

Green said she is yet to speak to world No.2 Minjee Lee about joining her in Victoria, but anticipated that sponsor events elsewhere could leave the two-time major winner’s hands tied.

Meanwhile, Green flagged that Thanksgiving on November 24 could present a challenge for American players, such as 2019 champion and world No.3, Nelly Korda.

“It’d be great if Nelly could come back down,” Green said. “It is a hard time of year because of Thanksgiving a week prior to the Open but some girls might want to go on a holiday and make a trip out of it.

“It’s a long season. You can make some good money out of it (the Australian Open) and celebrate. So it’d be nice if Nelly and her sister Ella Jess could come down.

She added: “It would obviously be great if Minjee could attend. But I think it’s just important to have all the Australian players come back.

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Aussie golf’s ‘special’ $3.4m move earns big boost … but Smith wait goes on amid LIV link

‘I found three brothers’: Golf legend reduced to blubbering mess in stirring live TV farewell

Green gets hot on day 2 of Women’s Open | 00:50

“It sounds like Cam (Smith) wants to come back, and hopefully Scotty (Adam Scott) and Leish (Marc Leishman) and all the boys want to come back too, so I think just getting as many Australian players in the field as possible is important.”

Green said that freshly crowned Women’s Open winner Ash Buhai “really wants to come play” and is waiting for confirmation.

Meanwhile, the 25-year-old is eyeing a real piece of history, looking to make it a hat-trick of wins in Australia having taken out the mixed gender TPS Murray River, and the Victorian Open, on her last visit.

Should the 2019 PGA Championship winner be successful, she said the victory would be as important to her as claiming another major.

“I still think getting my hand on that trophy would be very important to me,” she said.

“It definitely depends on the field and I think it would make a difference if we still had LPGA players to come, but it doesn’t mean I’m not going to work just as hard to try and win that trophy depending on who comes at the end of this year.”

The Women’s Australian Open has historically been held in February but will now shift to December to align with the men’s competition.

As such, the women’s field now faces the challenge of having a number of stars eyeing time off after a long season.

That’s a familiar issue for the men’s competition, which has traditionally been held in November and December, and has had varied success in attracting a star-studded field.

Whether top international players will commit this year remains to be seen, but some of Australia’s biggest names are expected to be involved regardless.

Open Championship winner Smith told Fox Sports Last month he will have an extended stay in Australia this summer, which could include playing both the Australian Open and the Australian PGA Championship.

“That’s better not GO IN!” | 00:21

Leishman also told foxsports.com.au before The Open that he was looking forward to returning to play in Australia, although no confirmation has yet been given for either player, who has been heavily linked to LIV Golf.

Nonetheless, Green is confident both will commit for the historic tournament, which will be the first national Open worldwide to combine both men’s and women’s fields.

“We need to elevate both championships so I hope that combining them at the same venue at the same time is going to do that,” she said. “We’ve obviously seen success with the Vic Open with the same format that we’re going to try this year.

“It’s going to be hard for us females to not have maybe as strong a field as we’ve had in previous Aus Opens, but hopefully the attraction of the event, people will want to come back to Australia and play.

“It’s a great week. The Australian Open is definitely one of my favorites to attend so it’s just really nice that after the last few years of not having one to be able to get back and play.”

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Golf news: Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman join LIV Golf Series, report, Cameron Percy, video, PGA Tour

Cameron Percy has lifted the lid on Cameron Smith’s intentions, revealing the Open champion is “gone” and will join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.

Smith, 28, was irate when he was asked about his future in the moments following his extraordinary one-shot victory at St Andrew’s last month.

“I just won the British Open and you’re asking about that? I think that’s pretty- not that good,” Smith said.

Pressed on the matter, the Australian was coy.

“I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff, I’m here to win golf tournaments,” he said.

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But Percy, a top-10 finisher at the Wyndham Championship, said his Australian compatriots Smith and Marc Leishman were “gone” and had signed with the financially lucrative LIV Golf Series.

“Unfortunately, yeah, they’re gone,” Percy told RSN radio.

The extraordinary revelation comes ahead of this week’s FedEx Cup playoff opener, which is expected to see Smith take to the tee amid a court’s hearing into whether three LIV golfers should be permitted to play after defecting to the rebel league.

Percy said the PGA Tour had known for years that a rebel tour was being formed.

“I had a long conversation with (2013 Masters champion) Adam Scott and he was very interesting talking to about it, just where it is,” he said.

“He said he met with these guys (LIV) in 2017 (and) they were ready (to) do all this. So, the tour has known for a long time that this stuff’s in the works.”

Scott has previously been on the record speaking about LIV Golf, saying in April “the schedule that they’re proposing is very appealing to probably most golfers” and he would “consider” making a move too.

Percy, meanwhile, delivered a not-so-subtle dig at those taking the money and defecting, raising the ethical questions around where the money is coming from.

“The more and more you look into it, some people don’t care, some people have got a conscience and do care,’ he said.

“It really comes down to, you know, ‘they just executed 80 people this week, just chopped their heads off’. They’re not the nicest people in the world.

“Do you just look past that and go, ‘Oh well, I’m rich I don’t really care’. It’s a tough one, it really is.”

Smith, the world No.2, was reportedly offered more than $100 million to join the LIV Golf Series.

Should he indeed accept the offer, he will be the highest ranked player to defect.

Former major winner Ian Baker-Finch last month to ignore the offers and create a legacy in the game by staying in the PGA Tour – something currently he would struggle to achieve in LIV Golf, where tournaments are 54 holes and don’t contain the player strength nor history.

“I know that they are talking to him and many others,” Baker-Finch, who won the Claret Jug in 1991, told SEN radio.

“I hope he doesn’t because I think he can leave a great legacy by winning major championships and becoming the best player in the world.

“I don’t think I need the money. I don’t think it is going to be something that he should do.

“He will be a $100m guy or more now. Does he want to win more majors or does he want the money? I am hoping he stays and leaves a great legacy like a Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy … which he could do. I think Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy and a lot of those guys that still compete and play well in majors, and want to leave a legacy, they’re the guys I would be following.”

Originally published as ‘They’re gone’: Bombshell revelation as Aussie golfer says Smith, Leishman have joined LIV

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Cameron Smith, Marc Leishman join LIV Golf Series, report, Cameron Percy, video

Cameron Percy has lifted the lid on Cameron Smith’s intentions, revealing the Open champion is “gone” and will join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf Series.

Smith, 28, was irate when he was asked about his future in the moments following his extraordinary one-shot victory at St Andrew’s last month.

“I just won the British Open and you’re asking about that? I think that’s pretty- not that good,” Smith said.

Pressed on the matter, the Australian was coy.

“I don’t know, mate. My team around me worries about all that stuff, I’m here to win golf tournaments,” he said.

Watch LIVE coverage from The USPGA Tour with Fox Sports on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

Donald Trump backs LIV Golf Series | 00:46

But Percy, a top-10 finisher at the Wyndham Championship, said his Australian compatriots Smith and Marc Leishman were “gone” and had signed with the financially lucrative LIV Golf Series.

“Unfortunate, year, they’re gone,” Percy told RSN radio.

The extraordinary revelation comes ahead of this week’s FedEx Cup playoff opener, which is expected to see Smith take to the tee amid a court’s hearing into whether three LIV golfers should be permitted to play after defecting to the rebel league.

Percy said the PGA Tour had known for years that a rebel tour was being formed.

“I had a long conversation with (2013 Masters champion) Adam Scott and he was very interesting talking to about it, just where it is,” he said.

“He said he met with these guys (LIV) in 2017 (and) they were ready (to) do all this. So, the tour has known for a long time that this stuff’s in the works.”

Scott has previously been on the record speaking about LIV Golf, saying in April “the schedule that they’re proposing is very appealing to probably most golfers” and he would “consider” making a move too.

Cameron Percy has revealed his Australian compatriots Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman have signed with LIV Golf Series.  Photo: Getty Images
Cameron Percy has revealed his Australian compatriots Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman have signed with LIV Golf Series. Photo: Getty ImagesSource: AFP

Percy, meanwhile, delivered a not-so-subtle dig at those taking the money and defecting, raising the ethical questions around where the money is coming from.

“The more and more you look into it, some people don’t care, some people have got a conscience and do care,’ he said.

“It really comes down to, you know, ‘they just executed 80 people this week, just chopped their heads off’. They’re not the nicest people in the world.

“Do you just look past that and go, ‘Oh well, I’m rich I don’t really care’. It’s a tough one, it really is.”

Smith, the world No.2, was reportedly offered more than $100 million to join the LIV Golf Series.

Should he indeed accept the offer, he will be the highest ranked player to defect.

MORE COVERAGE

‘S***ting their pants’: LIV Golf texts between Greg Norman and ex-Masters champ revealed

Aussie golf’s ‘special’ $3.4m move earns big boost … but Smith wait goes on amid LIV link

‘I found three brothers’: Golf legend reduced to blubbering mess in stirring live TV farewell

Smith reflects on Open celebrations | 08:18

Former major winner Ian Baker-Finch last month to ignore the offers and create a legacy in the game by staying in the PGA Tour – something currently he would struggle to achieve in LIV Golf, where tournaments are 54 holes and don’t contain the player strength nor history.

“I know that they are talking to him and many others,” Baker-Finch, who won the Claret Jug in 1991, told SEN radio.

“I hope he doesn’t because I think he can leave a great legacy by winning major championships and becoming the best player in the world.

“I don’t think I need the money. I don’t think it is going to be something that he should do.

“He will be a $100m guy or more now. Does he want to win more majors or does he want the money? I am hoping he stays and leaves a great legacy like a Tiger Woods or Rory McIlroy … which he could do. I think Justin Thomas and Rory McIlroy and a lot of those guys that still compete and play well in majors, and want to leave a legacy, they’re the guys I would be following.”

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