It does not seem like Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm will be meeting up for coffee any time soon. During an interview with ESPN’s Marty Smith on February 25, 2024, Rahm shared that he has not been in touch with Woods since deciding to join LIV Golf.
This is quite different from Rory McIlroy who has been supporting Rahm privately. Woods and McIlroy have been vocal opponents of LIV.
“Rory publicly and privately supported my decision,” Rahm explained. “Tiger, not so much. I messaged him and the others during the signing process to let him know it's a personal choice and I have nothing against anyone.”
“I want to make one thing clear. If possible, I would still support the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. I’m not giving up and there are still some events I want to play if my schedule allows. I would attend and play.”
Jon Rahm’s Agreement With LIV Golf Is Valued at Over $300 Million: Report
Like Woods and McIlroy, Rahm had previously committed to staying on the PGA Tour. The situation clearly changed after the PGA Tour teamed up with LIV Golf. ESPN’s Mark Schlabach revealed that Rahm’s deal with LIV Golf is worth more than $300 million.
“For over a year, Rahm had expressed his dislike of LIV Golf’s 54-hole tournaments, no cuts, and shotgun starts, stating his preference to remain with the PGA Tour, where legends like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, and Tiger Woods had played before him,” Schlabach described in a December 7, 2023 story titled, “Jon Rahm leaves PGA Tour for LIV Golf, accepts fans’ backlash.”
“Ultimately, Rahm, a 29-year-old from Spain, couldn’t resist a multiyear contract worth more than $300 million, with partial ownership of his new LIV Golf team. Sources informed ESPN that LIV Golf is luring other PGA Tour players to join Rahm’s team, although he declined to name who they might be.”
Tiger Woods on Jon Rahm Joining LIV Golf: ‘It Was Speculation Until It Happened’
Woods briefly commented on Rahm’s departure shortly after the initial news. The golf legend suggested that he was somewhat doubtful about the LIV rumors until they were confirmed.
“There’s been a lot of talk over the years of certain players going [LIV Golf], and it was speculation until it happened because there’s been rumors of names going and not going, and whether they materialized or not,” Woods stated in December 2023, according to Golf Channel. “We assumed it was just speculation until it happened.”
The Netflix Series ‘Full Swing’ Reveals Inside Details of the PGA Tour & LIV Golf Merger
Viewers interested in the ongoing drama can watch the Netflix show “Full Swing.” The second season features behind-the-scenes scenes as top golfers learn about the PGA Tour-LIV Golf merger.
The latest season of this popular Netflix docu-series was launched on March 6. It showcases golf stars like McIlroy, Justin Thomas, Jordan Spieth, Brooks Koepka, and Rickie Fowler.
