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 may 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 staff, Boston Widespread, on Monday and mentioned Rahm has given him the impression he’s staying with the PGA.
“I spoke to Jon a pair days in the past and could be very, very stunned if that had been to occur … I’m fairly assured Jon is a PGA Tour participant,” 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’m unhappy to substantiate that I cannot be collaborating within the first TGL season,” Rahm wrote on social media. “Whereas I nonetheless suppose it’s an amazing alternative, proper now it will require a stage of dedication that I can’t supply. Better of luck to everybody (concerned) and will one of the best staff win!”
A press release from TGL officers mentioned they “perceive that gamers need to stability quite a lot of totally different sides of their skilled and private lives and respect Jon’s selection and want him properly.”
Up to now, Rahm has not been as vocal a critic of the Saudi-funded LIV Golf League as McIlroy, and he needed fellow Spaniard Sergio Garcia to be included in future Ryder Cup groups regardless of his defection to LIV. However 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 at all times been fascinated about historical past and legacy and proper now the PGA Tour has that,” he mentioned. “There’s a that means whenever you win the Memorial championship. There’s a that means whenever you win Arnold Palmer’s occasion at Bay Hill. There’s a that means whenever you win LA, Torrey (Pines), a few of these historic venues. That, to me, issues loads.
“My coronary heart is with the PGA Tour.”
The PGA Tour, the DP World Tour and the Saudi Public Funding 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. Particulars had been scarce and a Dec. 31 deadline was set to come back to a extra concrete deal.