“We chose to stay,” Masters champion Jon Rahm uninterested in getting compensated by PGA Tour for turning down LIV Golf
Speaking at the press conference before the Open championship, Jon Rahm dropped a surprising take. The Masters champion does not want PGA Tour loyalists to be awarded with compensation.
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Jon Rahm at the Open conference (Pic Credit: SB Nation)
On June 6, the world of golf received was hit by a lightning bolt as the PGA Tour announced a shocking merger with PIF-funded LIV Golf. The two golfing tours had been at war since the latter’s formation. Several players have since hit out at the tour and the whole merger deal. Reigning Masters champion Jon Rahm has dropped an interesting take regarding the merger.
A few days after the merger, it was reported that tour loyalists like Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Tiger Woods, will be awarded for their loyalty. These three along with several tour players had rejected big-money contracts to play for LIV Golf. While the world number three did admit feeling like being stabbed in the back, he now thinks the players who stayed back do not need to be rewarded. He though did say he will not turn down the money and labeled it a tough question.
Speaking before the press ahead of the Open Championship later this week, Rahm said he understands why the PGA Tour wants to do something for the players. “I wasn’t forced into anything. It was my choice to stay,” the Spaniard said. “We all had the choice to go to LIV and take the money and we chose to stay at the PGA Tour,” he added.
Rahm further explained that he is more than happy with what the tour has done for him. He wants the tour to use the money from compensation to improve the tour rather than distributing it among players. Several reports in the past have emerged about him making this drastic switch but Rahm for now is focused on staying at the tour.
Jon Rahm stands in his support of Jay Monahan
Following the announcement of the merger, one person that has come under intense backlash is Jay Monahan. The PGA tour commissioner was heavily slammed on social media by users and experts for agreeing to this deal.
The abuses got worse when he suddenly announced a medical leave. Since then several players including Xander Schauffele and Jordan Spieth have spoken about their loss of trust in him. Rahm has come in support of Monahan and is standing behind him.
“As it comes to what he’s doing for us and PGA Tour, I think he has done a fantastic job,” Rahm mentioned. He went on state how everything that took place was unexpected but he hopes that the boss being given a chance to work things out. This statement by the Spanish international comes at a very crucial time as Monahan has just returned from his leave.
Monahan and his team have time till the end of the year to strike a deal. If the terms of the merger deal are not agreed by this time, the whole saga could come to an abrupt end. The return of Monahan will be key for the deal in the upcoming days as golf prepares itself for a massive shift.
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Vinay Dave
(1922 Articles Published)