Jon Rahm’s LIV Golf comments could come back to haunt him after £450 million switch
Jon Rahm became the latest big-name star to join the LIV Golf setup earlier this month, but it is fair to say the Masters champion has not always been keen on the breakaway league
Jon Rahm could well be left rueing his previous comments on LIV Golf, after the Spaniard called on the breakaway league’s players to be ‘punished’ earlier this year.
Rahm made golfing history earlier this month after signing a record-breaking deal with the LIV setup. Having previously pledged his loyalties to the PGA Tour, Rahm went back on his word to join the Saudi-backed series after signing a deal worth a reported £450 million.
The Masters champion’s decision to make the Saudi switch came as a shock to many, as whilst he had remained relatively neutral during golf’s civil war, he previously revealed he had some grievances with the LIV tour.
In June, it appeared that the PGA Tour’s battle with LIV was finally coming to an end in the way of a framework agreement. The truce between the Tour and the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, was set to see the American-based circuit finally work in unison with their LIV rivals.
It was expected that as part of the deal, the Tour would welcome back the players it had suspended for making the Saudi switch over the past two seasons. As part of this, the PGA Tour rolled out plans for a ‘player discipline’ process that would help reinstate LIV players back into membership.
Many of those that had opted to remain loyal to the PGA Tour amid the lucrative lure of their Saudi rivals believed the returning players should face some sort of consequence for defecting before being able to make their comeback, one being Rahm.
Prior to his LIV switch, the Spaniard said in July: “I do believe that some punishment should be in order, but I don’t know what. That’s for the disciplinary board and other people that are paid to do that. My job is to hit the golf ball and try to do the best I can.”
Five months on Rahm could well be one of those players facing punishment for wanting to make a return to the PGA Tour, after signing with the rebel league earlier this month. In the days following his mega-money switch, Rahm’s suspension from the PGA Tour was confirmed by circuit bosses.
“Hopefully with the freedom LIV gives me I can play both those tours. There are certain PGA Tour events I want to play as long as my schedule allows. If possible, I want to make that happen.” As things stand Rahm will still be able to play DP World Tour golf moving forward.
The Wentworth-based circuit are unable to fully suspend players for joining LIV Golf but do have jurisdiction to fine and issue bans to those that compete on the breakaway circuit. This has led to the likes of Ian Poulter, Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia handing in their memberships with the Tour to avoid further sanctioning
