21 December 2023 , 13:12
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Shane Lowry has claimed Jon Rahm is now 'owned' by the LIV Golf setup, after the Masters champion signed with the breakaway league earlier this month.
Rahm made golfing history when joining the Saudi-backed series, after being handed a reported £450 million contract by LIV bosses. On making his Saudi switch Rahm admitted the remarkable offer did play a part, but the Spaniard reiterated he 'does not play golf for money'.
He pointed towards the opportunity to 'grow the game', a phrased used on a number of occasions by LIV officials and players that have signed on the dotted line with the breakaway league.
READ MORE: Jon Rahm's Ryder Cup teammate makes "mad" admission after LIV Golf move
Rahm's Ryder Cup teammate Lowry however is not convinced, and believes the comments made by the Spaniard were words he was told to relay. "I think what Jon said about growing the game and stuff that’s obviously what they have to say,” Lowry told the Irish Independent.
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As a result, the Irishman believes that Rahm had no choice over what he could say on the back of his move. “They’ve signed on the dotted line," he added. "They’ve been told by the communications team that this is what you say when you’re asked this and you have no other choice really because they own you now.”
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Shane Lowry had his say on Jon Rahm's LIV Golf move (Getty Images)In taking the offer Rahm claimed it was one that came with his family at the forefront of his mind. “Every decision I feel like we make in life there will be somebody who agrees and likes it and somebody who doesn’t, right,” the Masters champion said.
“I made this decision because I believe it’s the best for me and my family and everybody I’ve been able to talk to has been really supportive of me, so I’m very comfortable with my decision." Lowry however is concerned about how this may be taken by the average golf fan.
"I don’t know if it’s been damaging [to golf]," he added. "But people who have spent their hard-earned money going out to join a golf club and buy golf clubs and play golf for the weekend, it’s tough for them to listen to the guy who’s already worth whatever say he has to do this to put food on the table for his wife and kids.”
In making his move, Rahm has already given up his playing rights on the PGA Tour after the American-based circuit revoked his membership last week. His LIV loyalties could well hamper his chances of competing alongside Lowry at future Ryder Cups too, with a number of rebel players forced to resign their DP World Tour memberships due to sanctions, thus giving up their Team Europe eligibility.
The Spaniard has made no secret of what the Ryder Cup means to him in recent years, but did admit there are elements of LIV Golf that were worth risking his future at the matchplay event. "The innovation. The difference," Rahm claimed.
"Being part of a team. Being an owner and a captain—when I grew up playing golf it wasn’t an opportunity. But it is now, and it’s really enticing to me. I’ve seen people grow and I’m looking forward to hoping making an impact.”