When Jon Rahm introduced he was backing out of TGL, the brand new indoor golf league spearheaded by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy, it ignited rumors that the Spaniard could be planning a leap from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf.
McIlroy doesn’t see it that approach.
The four-time main champion spoke with reporters at a press convention for his TGL group, Boston Common, on Monday and mentioned Rahm has given him the impression he’s staying with the PGA.
“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,” McIlroy mentioned.
Rahm, the reigning Masters champ, bowed out of TGL final Thursday after he was included in an preliminary roster of 24 gamers who would take part within the league.
“I am sad to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season,” Rahm wrote on social media. “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!”
An announcement from TGL officers mentioned 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.”
In the previous, Rahm has not been as vocal a critic of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League as McIlroy, and he wished fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia to be included in future Ryder Cup groups regardless of his defection to LIV. But Rahm made clear in June 2022 that he didn’t play golf for financial causes and he didn’t think about LIV’s 54-hole, no-cut format to be worthwhile.
“I’ve always been interested in history and legacy and right now the PGA Tour has that,” he mentioned. “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 LA, Torrey (Pines), some of these historic venues. That, to me, matters a lot.
“My heart is with the PGA Tour.”
The PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund entered a framework settlement final June that may see the established excursions obtain funding from the Saudis in a brand new for-profit enterprise. Details had been scarce and a Dec. 31 deadline was set to return to a extra concrete deal.