Masters champion Jon Rahm stated on Wednesday that he had determined to put low and would keep away from public occasions till February after agreeing to leap from the PGA Tour to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf in a big-money transfer that made headlines throughout the globe.
In his first look after signing with the insurgent circuit funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), the 29-year-old Spaniard was stunned to search out TV cameras at an occasion he was attending within the northern Spanish metropolis of Bilbao.
“I didn’t think there would be any cameras and that it would be a bit more intimate,” Rahm instructed a choose viewers on the Sociedad Bilbaina corridor, who gave the impression to be outnumbered by media professionals.
Rahm was there to obtain the ‘Dama Bilbaina 2023’ prize awarded by the non-public membership based in 1839 in his native Basque Country, in recognition of his sporting profession.
“I am under very strict instructions not to do public events, which I have imposed on myself a little bit for myself, and for the change I have given to the world of golf in the last week,” Rahm stated, giving a categorical “No!” when requested if he was planning to offer an interview.
“There will be nothing until February, I’m not allowed to.”
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One of golf’s hottest and charismatic figures, Rahm grew to become the most important identify to signal on with LIV Golf since Australian Cameron Smith joined after profitable the 2022 British Open.
Media stories stated the world quantity three Spaniard can be paid not less than $300 million with some retailers placing the assured determine at nearer to $600 million.
Rahm’s departure can be seen as one other large blow to the PGA Tour which has watched lots of its stars defect to the breakaway league lured by large paydays.
He described himself on Wednesday as a “normal person”.
“I don’t consider that what I do is much different, and that I am more or less important than the rest,” Rahm stated.
“The only thing is that I’m seen on TV right now and that’s it… hopefully a little less so in the future…”