Jon Rahm's message to Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy: "This wasn't personal"

Jon Rahm has revealed he intends to "grow the game of golf and make it better" having joined the LIV Golf League. 

He has also sent a message to Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, as well as Patrick Cantlay. 

Rahm, 29, confirmed the worst kept secret in golf during a Fox News interview late in the day on December 7. 

It is understood Rahm has accepted a fee of £450m, making him considerably the highest earner on LIV Golf in 2024. 

Rahm will become the captain of his own LIV Golf team, of which the name of the side and his three teammates will be revealed soon. 

• 10 reasons Jon Rahm was always going to leave the PGA Tour for LIV Golf

Speaking to Fox News having made his signature official, Rahm explained the money was of course a factor in his decision process. 

"Don't get me wrong, it's a great deal."

But he also used the golden ticket of 'my goal with this is to grow the game of golf'. 

When pressed on his thoughts about a 54-hole format and shotgun start - two things Rahm has been criticial of with LIV Golf in the past - he told Fox News: 

Jon Rahm sends message to Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods

Rahm also had a message for the PGA Tour's two leading superstars in Woods and McIlroy.

The Spaniard of course recently withdrew from their new TGL, which has now been pushed back to 2025 as a result of the stadium roof collapsing just weeks before the initial start date. 

Now having become suspended from the PGA Tour just weeks before their deadline for a potential merger with the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), Rahm admitted he was hopeful the circuit could still accomplish all of its goals in this ever-changing environment within the sport. 

It was there where he mentioned the great work of McIlroy, Woods and Cantlay. 

McIlroy last month stepped down from his duties on the PGA Tour policy board but Cantlay and Woods are very much leading the line as player directors on the circuit. 

Rahm said: 

McIlroy and Woods have since responded to Rahm's LIV Golf decision.

Check out their comments here: 

• McIlroy
• Woods

Rahm also said he hoped his childhood hero in late great Seve Ballesteros would have been "supportive" of his decision to join LIV. 

WATCH RAHM'S FULL INTERVIEW HERE

"I have officially joined LIV"



Number 3 ranked golfer in the world Jon Rahm gives a thoughtful and poised 8+ minute interview on the Special Report with Bret Baier to announce his decision to join LIV.



Here is the full clip, enjoy. pic.twitter.com/DB79Jw3TSj

— LIV Golf Nation (@LIVGolfNation) December 7, 2023

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