I won’t let him back on the PGA Tour: Tiger Woods makes official statement on Jon Rahm’s return to the PGA Tour, here’s why
Last year, LIV Golf splashed out big bucks to get Jon Rahm’s autograph, but the Spaniard joined the Saudi-backed separatist tour along with dozens of other big-name stars.
Last December, Jon Rahm became LIV Golf’s latest star player, which was quite a nasty blow for the PGA Tour.
The move came as a surprise, given the Spaniard’s past comments about the separatist tour.
He previously spoke about the history of the PGA and defended its traditions, before mocking LIV Golf’s 54-hole format and insisting he had no intention of being tempted by the huge contract offered by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF)-funded competition, according to The Exile.
But amazingly, the 29-year-old signed the deal, reportedly becoming the highest-paid player in golf’s history. The deal was announced several months after news of a possible collaboration between the PGA and LIV.
However, the framework for the partnership has yet to be agreed and, although LIV players have been given permission to compete in any of the PGA’s four major events, full cooperation between the two tours is still a ways off. Here, the mirror is planned to be the situation of the framework and the fact that it is targeting the former World N ° 1 in the future.
Record a ram contract on the golf course
Last year, executive contexts have many purposes not only on the declaration of LIV but also from the declaration of related money.
According to reports, the 2023 Masters champion signed an eye-bulging $500million (£386m) deal – the biggest contract in LIV Golf history.
It surpassed the £160m deal Phil Mickelson was handed in 2022, which previously held the record. Ram’s contract runs until 2028 and reportedly includes participation in a Saudi-backed tour, use of one of the Saudi royal family’s private jets and a team of 10 personal assistants to provide 24-hour care 24 hours a day to him and his family.
Rahm was one of the few top golfers, along with the likes of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, to commit his future to the PGA Tour after the advent of LIV Golf. After his defection, the Spaniard tried to contact his former tour teammate, and although McIlroy supported him, Woods apparently kept Rahm on the sidelines.
“I mean, Tiger, I wrote to him and to anyone trying to contact the process when I signed my contract and just said, ‘Look, this is a personal decision.’ I have no grudge against anybody,” Rahm told ESPN in February.
Rory has supported my decision both publicly and privately,” Rahm said, alluding to Woods’ failure to respond to his messages. He also refused to hide accusations that his decision to quit the PGA was motivated by money. “It’s a new change, a big change. The thing you don’t want to overlook here is that it makes a big difference in what golfers get paid, and I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t a big part of the problem. In short, I have more opportunities to practice the same sport and I have more time. I don’t know about most people, but that sounds great to me,” he said.
Rahm’s Stumbling Start at LIV Golf Despite being the highest-paid player in the history of golf, Rahm’s play hasn’t been all that great. Widely expected to start winning titles as soon as the year started, the two-time major champion is yet to win a single tournament on tour. Speaking ahead of the season’s 10th tournament in his native Andalusia, Spain, Rahm insisted the 54-hole format, which he previously described as “unsuitable” for golf, was not in its shape, but he called on the powers that be to consider moving to 72 holes. He also rated his campaign so far a “six out of 10” and stressed that he just needs to find consistency.
“There were weeks where I felt like I did a lot better than I thought I would,” he told reporters. “And there have been a few weeks where things could have been better.
“I haven’t won yet, so that puts me way down in the season rankings. If they tell me, they will probably say six out of ten. But the year is not over yet. There’s still work to be done.
He may be PGA public enemy number one, but that hasn’t stopped Rahm from imagining his future on tour. Speaking before the Masters in April, he acknowledged that he “still loves” the PGA Tour, adding that he “hopes to play again.”
“At the end of the day, I did what I thought was best for me and my family,” he said.
