Jon Rahm gives statement after pulling out of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s TGL to spark LIV Golf speculation
Jon Rahm will no longer compete in the inaugural TGL season, sparking speculation over the superstar golfer's future.
TGL is a new high-tech golf league created by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy.
World no.3 Rahm was among the very first names to be announced for the quirky indoor series, which launches in January 2024.
However, the Spaniard's player profile was removed from the TGL website late on Wednesday night.
All mention of Rahm on the league's social media page vanished, too.
Now, TGL has released a statement to Sports Business Journal confirming Rahm will not compete in 2024 and they will soon announce a replacement.
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It read: "We will miss him during the inaugural TGL season. We understand that players have to balance a lot of different facets of their professional and personal lives and respect Jon’s choice and wish him well."
Rahm later explained the decision with a statement of his own.
The two-time major champion said: "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. Best of luck to everyone involved and may the best team win!"
TGL is partnered by the PGA Tour and considered a crucial weapon in the battle against LIV Golf.
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It will feature 24 of the game's biggest names, giving them added incentive to reject any possible advances from the Saudi-backed tour.
The sudden absence of Rahm across TGL platforms triggered speculation of a possible move to LIV Golf.
The 28-year-old is thought to have rejected a nine-figure offer to join the breakaway circuit in 2022 and regularly bats away rumours.
Speaking in August, Rahm 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.
"Phil respects my decision and I respect his decision. He has told me that I have no reason to go to LIV. And he has told me that several times."
And speaking about TGL in the same month, Rahm said: "I think we can appeal to a different audience, and I’m looking forward to that, as well.
"I’ve heard a lot of great reviews and thoughts from friends of mine looking into it before they knew I was invested in it and wanting to play.
“I think we have the opportunity to do something very special.”
Mickelson recently hinted at new high-profile additions to LIV Golf in 2024, with Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Cameron Smith already on board.
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The PGA Tour and LIV Golf agreed not to poach players as part of a framework agreement earlier this year, but the clause was dropped amid a DOJ investigation into possible anti-trust violations.
Both parties have been exploring possible alternatives to the framework agreement, which has made little progress towards a final deal ahead of the December 31 deadline.