Masters champion Jon Rahm mentioned 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 Funding Fund (PIF), the 29-year-old Spaniard was stunned to seek out TV cameras at an occasion he was attending within the northern Spanish metropolis of Bilbao.
“I didn’t assume there could be any cameras and that it will be a bit extra intimate,” Rahm instructed a choose viewers on the Sociedad Bilbaina corridor, who seemed 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 Nation, in recognition of his sporting profession.
“I’m below very strict directions to not do public occasions, which I’ve imposed on myself just a little bit for myself, and for the change I’ve given to the world of golf within the final week,” Rahm mentioned, giving a categorical “No!” when requested if he was planning to present an interview.
“There might be nothing till February, I’m not allowed to.”
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One in all golf’s hottest and charismatic figures, Rahm turned the largest title to signal on with LIV Golf since Australian Cameron Smith joined after successful the 2022 British Open.
Media stories mentioned the world quantity three Spaniard might be paid not less than $300 million with some shops placing the assured determine at nearer to $600 million.
Rahm’s departure might 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 “regular particular person”.
“I don’t think about that what I do is way completely different, and that I’m kind of vital than the remainder,” Rahm mentioned.
“The one factor is that I’m seen on TV proper now and that’s it… hopefully rather less so sooner or later…”