The £450 million LIV Golf contract is a jab; Rory McIlroy takes on Jon Rahm
Rory McIlroy takes aim at John Rahe as he returns to accept £450m LIV golf deal
John Rahm was a vocal critic of LIV Golf but changed his tune after securing a £450m contract and leaving the PGA Tour to join the Break Tour.
Rory McIlroy has taken aim at John Rahm, accusing him of “cannibalizing” golf by leaving the PGA Tour and joining LIV Golf.
Rahm shocked the sport by becoming a rising star. The world number three was previously an outspoken critic of the breakout tournament funded by Saudi Arabia’s Sovereign Investment Fund, but changed his mind after being offered a £450m contract.
LIV Golf has proven to be a very controversial topic in the golf world, with the merger of the two tournaments still pending. While many of his friends and colleagues accepted the big contract he was offered, McIlroy remained a staunch supporter of the PGA Tour, and while he did not name Rahm, his recent comments were clearly critical of the Spaniard.
“The theme is that the focus will be on the game as we continue to play competitive tournaments,” McIlroy told Sky Sports. “Some people like the LIV, most people like the PGA Tour. But if LIV takes a few players every year, it’s really divisive and not good for anyone.
“You basically eat yourself as a sport, just like boxing has done to all organizations and many other sports. For me, having the best golfers under one umbrella is the best way forward because I think that’s what the public wants.
“The majors are already huge, but I fear that if we continue like this, the best players will meet four times a year. This means golf is only involved four times a year, which isn’t good for anyone.
“We have to try to unite everyone and forget the past. Let’s leave the past behind and move forward together. “I think that’s the best thing about the professional game.”
Rahm had a great 2023, earning four PGA Tour wins and being part of Europe’s successful Ryder Cup team. He wrote a picture with Libbol Golf Jolk on Thursday night and became a member of “i @livgolf_leag”. This is a good opportunity for me and my family and I am very happy in the future. –
Lori Macilo was disappointed by John
Connect Brooks of Brooks, Cameron, Coepka, Cameron Smith, Dustick Reed and Serchio Garcia. Rahm thanked McIlroy for his support in a farewell note to his PGA Tour peers.
“It features Patrick Cantlay, Rory and Tiger Woods,” he told Fox News. “They’ve had a lot of meetings and calls to figure out what the future of the game is going to look like, and I want to thank you.
“I hope their resolution is what they want. He had nothing to do with them. It was fine for me and my family and the future. I still do not change my friend because I do not change because I do not change who I am”.
