Rory McIlroy wrote off LIV Golf’s chances of succeeding before it had even begun, but the breakaway circuit has continued its rise with the mega-money signing of Jon Rahm
Following Jon Rahm’s transfer to LIV Golf, Rory McIlroy has been forced to retract his earlier statements that the breakaway league was “dead in the water.”
Rahm broke records by signing with the LIV setup as the most recent well-known player to do so. It was reported that he was offered a £450 million contract to move to Saudi Arabia. The Spaniard’s signing marks the latest development in the Saudi-backed series’ ascent to the top of the professional golf rankings, which is difficult news for McIlroy and the PGA Tour.
Since the rebel league’s founding, the Northern Irishman has emerged as one of its harshest critics, having already written off LIV’s prospects of success before it had even begun.
When the first rumors of a Saudi-funded golf league surfaced in February of last year, several PGA Tour players—who have since moved to London—quickly ruled out the possibility of signing with Greg Norman and company. McIlroy declared the breakaway circuit to be “dead in the water” due to the lack of interest.
He asserted in February 2022: “Yeah, yeah. Who is still alive? Who is still to leave? I mean, nobody is there. I think it’s dead in the water. I simply don’t see why anyone would go.” Naturally, the rival league’s administrators haven’t wasted any time in disproving the four-time major champion.
Since its founding in June of last year, LIV has drawn a wide range of PGA Tour celebrities, such as Bryson DeChambeau, Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickelson, and Brooks Koepka. However, this week’s acquisition of the Masters champion’s signature represented their greatest success to date.
But after switching to Saudi Arabia, Rahm seems to have cast doubt on his Ryder Cup future, so McIlroy and company may not have the Spaniard available for the 2025 title defense. The Northern Irishman has urged Team Europe’s management to alter the qualification process so Rahm can participate in New York, despite his criticism of LIV Golf.
“In 2025, Jon will be in Bethpage,” McIlroy stated to Sky Sports. “There is no doubt that the European Tour will need to revise the eligibility requirements for the Ryder Cup as a result of this decision. Jon Rahm should be on the upcoming Ryder Cup team, in my opinion.
On the PGA Tour, McIlroy acknowledged that he would miss facing the Spaniard every week. He continued, “I will miss competing against him every single week.” “He has so much talent and is such a good player. At the Ryder Cup, he is an excellent teammate and extremely persistent.
“I only have positive things to say about Jon. As a golfer, I have the utmost respect for him. It appears that he aspires to lead a moral life. He aspires to be a decent husband and father. Someone making the best choice for themselves cannot be condemned.”
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