The Daily Telegraph is reporting that Sebastian Munoz of Colombia is the latest player to join Saudi-backed LIV Golf, after previously reporting Mito Pereira of Chile was joining.
Both are in the Saudi International field this week, even though neither PGA Tour member requested a conflicting event release to play (as was the case for the likes of Cameron Young and Cameron Champ).
More evidence on Pereira — he is listed in the field next week for the Asian Tour’s International Series stop in Oman, electing to pass on the $20 million purse at the WM Phoenix Open.
LIV Golf has not officially announced new additions to its league, which starts next month at Mayakoba in Mexico.
HOGE’S DECISION
Tom Hoge was not on the Saudis’ radar screen until he won at Pebble Beach last year for his first career title. While the offer to join LIV Golf was not what Hoge described as generational wealth, it was enough for him to consider it.
Ultimately, he chose to stay, with no regrets. Hoge now is No. 29 in the world, eligible for all the majors for the second straight year. The deciding factor was places he hadn’t been and had access to through his win at Pebble.
“There were so many tournaments I’ve wanted to play in the first time,” he said, citing the Tour Championship and the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua as examples. “When I went to bed at night, I wasn’t ready to give those up.”
But money is money, especially when it’s guaranteed. Hoge has spent a career trying to make sure he made it to the next year, and securing a financial future was tempting.
“It was a hard decision to make, but I’m very happy with where I’m at,” Hoge said.
