Rory McIlroy breaks silence on Jon Rahm as star snubs venture with Tiger Woods

Rory McIlory does not believe that Jon Rahm is about to join LIV golf despite the Spaniard pulling out of the PGA’s inaugural TGL competition this week. The tech-led team golf tournament is owned by both Tiger Woods and McIlroy but the Northern Irishman said that he would be “very, very surprised” if Rahm’s disappointing withdrawal was because he was plotting a defection to the Saudi-funded LIV Golf league.

McIlroy spoke to reporters about his Ryder Cup teammate at a press conference in Boston that confirmed the formation of his own TGL team Boston Common. The four-time major champion explained how a recent conversation with Rahm left him with the impression that the world No. 3 will be staying on the PGA Tour.

Speaking about the prospect of Rahm defecting to LIV, McIlroy said: “I spoke to Jon a couple days ago and would be very, very surprised if that were to happen. I’m pretty confident Jon is a PGA Tour player.”

Rahm had been included in the original 24-player roster that will compete in teams when the first TGL competition gets underway in Florida in January. But after his name was removed from the official website, the 28-year-old confirmed his exit via social media.

Rahm wrote: “I am sad to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season. While I still think it’s a great opportunity, right now it would require a level of commitment that I can’t offer. Best of luck to everyone (involved) and may the best team win!”

The TGL also released its own statement confirming that Rahm would not be involved in the opening season. It said that they “understand that players have to balance a lot of different facets of their professional and personal lives and respect Jon’s choice and wish him well”.

Two-time major champion Rahm has enjoyed a stellar season, winning The Masters in April and finishing runner-up at The Open in Hoylake before helping Europe to win back the Ryder Cup in Rome with a superb performance across all three days.

Unlike McIlory, Rahm has been much less vocal in his objection to LIV Golf even though he has stayed loyal to the PGA Tour. The Spaniard also wanted his fellow countryman Sergio Garcia included in the European team this year, even though the veteran is now a LIV golfer and Luke Donald did not include a single representative from the breakaway tour in his playing or backroom staff.

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However, the shorter three-round format of LIV Golf and that lack of a cut mark appear to be at odds with Rahm’s viewpoint on how the game should be played.

Speaking in June 2022 (as per Golf Australia) Rahm said: “I’ve always been interested in history and legacy and right now the PGA Tour has that.

“There’s a meaning when you win the Memorial championship. There’s a meaning when you win Arnold Palmer’s event at Bay Hill. There’s a meaning when you win L.A, Torrey (Pines), some of these historic venues. That, to me, matters a lot. My heart is with the PGA Tour.”

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