Jon Rahm has insisted he did not join LIV Golf “for the money” after moving from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed series in a controversial deal reportedly worth up to £450 million.
The Masters champion and world No. 3 has previously criticized LIV golf, previously announcing in 2022 that he doesn’t like the LIV format and believes he respects golf’s history too much to be swayed by financial offers. said.
Rahm previously pledged allegiance to the PGA Tour and said the “only attraction” of LIV golf, which is played as a 54-hole team-based competition, was money.
The Spaniard said: “If I got $400 million, would my lifestyle change?” That hasn’t changed one bit. The truth is, I can retire with what I’ve created, live a very happy life, and never have to play golf again. ”
Rahm’s move to LIV Golf puts his future in the Ryder Cup at risk, as under current rules the Spaniard must remain in the DP World Tour squad to qualify. It turns out.
“The landscape of golf has changed a lot over the past two years. We’ve seen growth and innovation at LIV Golf,” Rahm told FOX News.
“That’s why I’m here today. This decision was made for many reasons and what I thought was best for me. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a big deal.”
“I was very pleased, but there was so much that LIV Golf had to offer that was very attractive. It was a great offer, the money was great, and obviously it’s great.”
“What I’ve said before is true. I don’t play golf for the money. I play golf for the love of golf and the love of golf.”
“But as a husband, as a father, as a family man, I have an obligation to give my family the best opportunities and as many resources as possible, and that’s important.
Rory McIlroy said he was ‘disappointed’ after Rahm’s move to LIV Golf was confirmed
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“It’s common for me to hear negative things on social media and the media. It’s part of what it is, we’re public figures, but you deal with it. It’s just learning that, right? This certainly doesn’t define who I am or who I am.”
Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy says Europe needs to change its Ryder Cup qualifying rules after Rahm’s controversial move to LIV Golf was confirmed.
Rahm has played for Europe’s last three Ryder Cup teams and played a key role in the stunning victory over the United States in Rome earlier this year after going unbeaten in four games.
Following the establishment of LIV Golf in 2022, European Ryder Cup greats such as Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson were excluded from competing in the Ryder Cup.
Former British champion Stenson was even stripped of his captaincy after joining LIV Golf, and the Swede was replaced by Luke Donald.
But McIlroy, who was once a critic of LIV Golf before the Breakaway Series struck a deal with the PGA Tour, argued Rahm should be allowed to play for Europe as they aim to defend their Ryder Cup in the US in 2025. .
“John [Rahm] “With this decision, the European Tour will have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup qualification, as it is scheduled to be held at Bethpage in 2025,” McIlroy said. sky sports news. “There’s no question about it. I definitely want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team.
“I’m going to miss playing against him week in and week out. He’s very talented, very tenacious and a great teammate in the Ryder Cup. What I realized is that I can’t do that myself.” Don’t criticize people for making decisions that you think are best for you.
“Is that disappointing for me? Yes, but the landscape of golf changed on June 6 when the Framework Agreement was announced, which made the jump from the PGA Tour to the LIV a little easier for men. I think it has.”
“They gave the first guys a really hard time and then with this framework agreement they basically legitimized what LIV was trying to do. And if that’s what you really want to do, it’s easier now. think.
“My current opinion is that the only great team event in golf is the Ryder Cup, and that will never change. But if the public wants a little more team competition, we have to respond to the public’s demands. You should know that.”
