According to golf journalist Alan Shipnuck, the team format is still being pushed by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), the arm of the Saudi government that bankrolled LIV.<\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Aussies tear through India in historic collapse<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Freddy rips Maroons star's call after Koroisau hit<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n READ MORE:<\/strong> Queensland star points finger at media over ball-carrying style<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n The merger now opens the possibility of PGA Tour stars to play in the team format LIV created, but it appears one of the regulars won't be welcome, according to an anonymous LIV executive.<\/p>\n "Now we can finally get Hideki [Matsuyama] and Jon Rahm," the executive told Shipnuck.<\/p>\n "I would say every big name on the PGA Tour will get an offer. Except Rory. Nobody wants that little bitch on their team."<\/p>\n McIlroy, a staunch defender of the PGA Tour and outspoken critic of the Saudi rebel league, spoke publicly about the merger for the first time on Thursday and said he felt like "a sacrificial lamb."<\/p>\n "I still hate LIV," McIlroy said. "Like, I hate LIV. I hope it goes away, and I fully expect that it does."<\/p>\n The Northern Irishman acknowledged that there could still be a team element, but predicted it would look different to the LIV version.<\/p>\n However, according to reports, the LIV team format is tipped to be one of the sport's most valuable assets, with teams being valued at $500 million. The PIF owns 75 per cent of the teams, and the captains own 25 per cent.<\/p>\n The PIF is banking on selling the 12 LIV Golf teams in order to get its investment back, according to Shipnuck.<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong> clicking here<\/strong><\/a>!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<\/p>\n
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