Irish & International Sports News, Fixtures & Results

Jon Rahm working on his game in the practice area of Augusta National

Rahm confident LIV switch will not harm Masters defence

Jon Rahm insists his competitive edge has not been dulled by his move to LIV Golf as he bids to become just the fourth player to win back-to-back Masters titles.

Golf • 09 Apr 24

Paul McGinley believes that a deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded LIV tour could be years away

McGinley: There's a lot of public apathy towards golf

Despite talk of thawing relations and a reportedly "constructive" meeting in the Bahamas, Paul McGinley believes that a deal between the PGA Tour and the Saudi-funded LIV tour could be years away

Golf • 30 Mar 24

Two-time major winner Rahm sensationally switched to LIV in December

Rahm hopes for 'peace' as elite coalesce for Masters

Masters champion Jon Rahm hopes golf can achieve "some type of union" as he set his sights on a Sunday showdown with his PGA Tour rivals at Augusta National.

Golf • 19 Mar 24

PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan spoke at a press conference on Tuesday

PGA talks with Saudi PIF 'accelerating' - Monahan

The PGA Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund have ramped up discussions on a deal announced last June that would ally the tour and the financial arm of LIV Golf.

Golf • 12 Mar 24

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland speaks to the media prior to The Cognizant Classic

'Who knows' - McIlroy teases shock LIV switch

Rory McIlroy has suggested there is a chance he could leave the PGA Tour and join LIV Golf.

Golf • 29 Feb 24

Joaquin Niemann will compete at the Masters

LIV Golf's Niemann accepts invite to Masters

LIV Golf's Joaquin Niemann was among three golfers who accepted a special invitation to compete in the Masters as part of the tournament's tradition of inviting leading international players who are not otherwise qualified for the event.

Golf • 21 Feb 24

Jon Rahm celebrates on the 18th green after winning the Masters

Rahm: Masters victory was part of reason to join LIV

Winning last year's Masters was a decisive factor in John Rahm's decision to switch to LIV Golf, according to the big-hitting Spaniard.

Golf • 07 Feb 24

Justin Thomas isn't in any hurry to welcome back LIV golfers

LIV players shouldn't be welcomed back easily - Thomas

Justin Thomas is on the side of Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler and others that LIV Golf players still should be penalized in a would-be merger of the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund's interests and the PGA Tour.

Golf • 06 Feb 24

Rahm makes LIV debut as Niemann hits 59

Joaquin Niemann carded the second sub-60 round in LIV Golf history with a 59 on day one of the season-opening event in Mexico.

Golf • 03 Feb 24

In June, after plans for a merger between the rival tours were announced, Rory McIlroy said "the people that left the PGA Tour irreparably harmed this Tour" and "we can't just welcome them back in"

McIlroy changes tune on players returning from LIV Golf

Rory McIlroy says he has changed his tune on players facing punishment if they wish to return from the LIV Golf Series to the traditional tours.

Golf • 31 Jan 24

Tyrrell Hatton will be part of LIV Golf's season-opening event

Hatton completes move to LIV Golf

Tyrrell Hatton has joined LIV Golf and will be part of an expansion team captained by reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm, the Saudi Arabia-backed league has confirmed.

Golf • 30 Jan 24

Rory McIlroy is looking for a solution to the PGA/LIV row

It's time for golf to come together globally - McIlroy

Rory McIlroy fears golf will remain "fractured forever" unless the opportunity to create a more global game is embraced now.

Golf • 17 Jan 24

Phil Mickelson won't be putting himself forward for Ryder Cup captaincy

'Divisive' Mickelson rules out 2025 Ryder Cup captaincy

Phil Mickelson has distanced himself from the prospect of captaining the US team at the 2025 Ryder Cup as he says there is too much hostility towards him from PGA Tour players following his switch to the Saudi-backed LIV circuit.

Golf • 12 Jan 24

McIlroy will tee off his 2024 season at the Dubai Invitational

McIlroy sees world tour as 'dream scenario' for golf

Rory McIlroy believes a world tour is the "dream scenario" for golf's future as the PGA Tour and LIV Golf continue to negotiate a path forward.

Golf • 10 Jan 24

Rickie Fowler says he is staying with the PGA Tour

Fowler insists he has 'zero interest' in joining LIV

Rickie Fowler has promised his fans they "don't have to worry" about him leaving the PGA Tour behind in favour of LIV Golf.

Golf • 08 Jan 24

Deadline extended in talks between PGA and LIV Golf

Negotiations between the PGA Tour, DP World Tour and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) have been extended beyond the original deadline of 31 December.

Golf • 01 Jan 24

'You have no other choice really because they own you now'

Lowry confident 'Rahmbo' will feature at Bethpage

Shane Lowry expressed confidence that Jon Rahm would be part of Europe's Ryder Cup team when they seek to retain the trophy at Bethpage Black in 2025, despite the Spaniard's recent defection to the LIV Tour.

Golf • 21 Dec 23

Lowry: 'I'm not surprised by anything at the minute'

Lowry on Rahm move: Nothing surprises me at the minute

Shane Lowry acknowledged it was "mad" to think he wouldn't play against European Ryder Cup team-mate Jon Rahm until next spring's Masters and expressed the hope that the game's leading players would soon be back playing together more regularly.

Golf • 20 Dec 23

Viktor Hovland is unhappy with the actions of the PGA Tour

Hovland slams 'arrogant' PGA Tour, but won't join LIV

Viktor Hovland has fired a warning to the PGA Tour saying the organisation is doing a bad job, but the Norwegian says he will not be defecting to the Saudi Arabia-backed LIV Golf.

Golf • 19 Dec 23

Gooch says 'discussions will be had' over 72 hole LIV

Defending individual champion Talor Gooch says "discussions will be had" about expanding the LIV Golf format from 54 to 72 holes.

Golf • 13 Dec 23

Rory McIlroy: 'To me, having all the best golfers under the one umbrella is the best way forward'

McIlroy fearful of more division after Rahm's LIV move

Following Jon Rahm's switch to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy now fears that the game could become less relevant, adding that competing tours "divides the eyeballs that are on the game".

Golf • 08 Dec 23

Rahm has enjoyed stellar success on the PGA and DP World Tours

Rahm's AmEx list no-show fuels LIV switch speculation

Speculation that Jon Rahm is weighing up a lucrative offer to sign with LIV Golf received additional fuel on Wednesday when the world number three was not among the notable names listed as committed to the American Express field next month.

Golf • 05 Dec 23

Tiger Woods is in no doubt that players were blindsided by last June's deal

Woods frustrated by PGA Tour's merger with LIV Golf

Tiger Woods has revealed his frustration at the secretive way in which a potential peace deal in golf's civil war involving the PGA Tour and LIV was agreed and insisted: "That won't happen again".

Golf • 28 Nov 23

Wiesberger has left the Cleeks clique to rejoin the European Tour

Life after LIV: Wiesberger rejoins DP World Tour

Former Ryder Cup player Bernd Wiesberger has been granted membership of the DP World Tour after two seasons with LIV Golf.

Golf • 23 Nov 23

An artist's impression of how the latest iteration of golf will look

Between LIV and TGL, it's FML for golf purists

For golf purists, the gimmicky and brash TGL project may stand as a betrayal from the clique who were positioned as the stout defenders of the game's soul during the LIV disruption.

Golf • 05 Nov 23