McIlroy already gave verdict on Rahm's £450m LIV Golf move as star left reeling

07 December 2023 , 23:49

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Rory McIlroy has been one of LIV's biggest critics (Image: Getty Images)

Jon Rahm's mega-money move to LIV Golf will no doubt have been tough to take for the Spaniard's European Ryder Cup teammate Rory McIlroy.

After weeks of speculation Rahm's move to the Saudi-backed series is now official, with the Masters champion being handed a reported £450million to make the switch. The move comes just weeks after Rahm helped guide Team Europe to a famous Ryder Cup win over their American rivals in Rome.

One man who joined him in leading the from the front is fellow star McIlroy, with the pair announcing themselves as two of Europe's - and the world's - great modern golfers in recent years.

READ MORE: Jon Rahm 'signs for LIV Golf' in £450m deal and sends shockwaves through PGA Tour

Despite their relationship, Rahm's LIV switch will be a bitter pill to swallow for McIlroy, who has emerged as the breakaway circuit's biggest critics over the past two years. Rumours surrounding Rahm's move began after the Masters winner opted to pull out of TGL, a soon-to-be-launched golf league formed by McIlroy and Tiger Woods.

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At the time of his Ryder Cup teammate's TGL departure, McIlroy was quick to play down any chance of Rahm signing on the dotted line with LIV. "I spoke to Jon a couple days ago and would be very, very surprised if that were to happen," McIlroy said last month. "I'm pretty confident Jon is a PGA Tour player."

Four weeks later though, the Northern Irishman's claims have of course been proven wrong, with the Spanish star set to tee it up with the breakaway league in 2024. McIlroy will not be the only shocked by Rahm's decision, with the green jacket holder previously rubbishing any chances of joining LIV during his career, telling the Golf Sin Etiquetas podcast in August he would 'laugh' whenever he was linked to the Saudi switch.

Jon Rahm has made the move to LIV Golf (Getty Images)

Of course this opinion has changed, and it comes as a 'disappointment' to McIlroy. "As someone that plays on the PGA Tour it is disappointing," the four-time major winner said on Rahm's decision in an interview with Sky Sports.

In a charge of heart though, the four-time major winner went on to call for the powers that be to change the Ryder Cup eligibility process to ensure Rahm can compete in 2025. "Jon is going to be in Bethpage in 2025," he added.

"So because of this decision the European Tour are going to have to rewrite the rules for Ryder Cup eligibility, absolutely, there is no question about that. I certainly want Jon Rahm on the next Ryder Cup team."

Joshua Lees