03 November 2023 , 17:20
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PGA Tour star Hunter Mahan has ruled out Jon Rahm joining LIV Golf after the Spaniard chose to quit TGL, the new golf league set up by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
Rahm became one of the 24 players to commit to TGL ahead of its launch in January, but on Thursday it was confirmed that the Masters champion had pulled out of the setup. The innovative league announced the withdrawal in a statement obtained by Mirror Sport, before Rahm himself addressed the decision.
Citing commitment issues, Rahm said on social media: "I am sad to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season. While I still think it’s a great opportunity, right now it would require a level of commitment that I can’t offer.
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"Best of luck to everyone involved and may the best team win!" Rahm's withdrawal was a big blow for Woods, McIlroy and the league itself with TGL now forced to find a late replacement, which according to their initial statement, would be announced "soon".
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On the back of Rahm's decision, rumours once again circulated that the Spaniard could well be interested in a move to LIV Golf, especially after his good friend and LIV star Phil Mickelson revealed in recent weeks that he had taken phone calls from Tour players wanting to join the breakaway circuit. Former Ryder Cup star Mahan, however, squashed the rumours.
"There’s nothing complicated or nuanced to @JonRahmpga backing out of TGL," Mahan wrote on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday evening. Categorically ruling the move out, he added: "He’s not going to LIV. Lot of travel for an indoor event, when he wants to win majors."
This not the first time rumours surrounding Rahm's future have linked the European star to the breakaway circuit. Last September a LIV Golf fan account named '@LIVTracking' claimed that the green jacket winner was set to join the Saudi league, forcing Rahm himself to rule out the move.
He responded on X: "I must inform you that you have started a losing streak because you and your source are wrong. I want to thank you for the lift in the PIP." Whilst Rahm has remained out of the slagging match between the PGA Tour and LIV over the past year-and-a-half, he did make his feelings clear about the circuit's format earlier this summer.
Distancing himself from making the move to join Greg Norman and co, he told the Golf Sin Etiquetas Podcast: "I laugh when people rumour me with the LIV Golf League. I've never liked the format. I always have a good time with Phil [Mickelson] and Sergio [Garcia] in the practice rounds of majors.
Rahm even added that LIV's biggest advocate, Mickelson even assured him that a move to the Saudi-backed series would not be one that suits the Spaniard's career. “Phil [Mickelson] respects my decision and I respect his decision," he added. "He has told me that I have no reason to go to LIV. And he has told me that several times.”