Jon Rahm Texted Tiger Woods Explaining His Decision To Join LIV Golf Only To Get Ghosted
Prior to his shocking move to LIV Golf at the end of 2023, Jon Rahm reached out to Tiger Woods. The Spaniard wasn't seeking Woods' approval by any means but felt the need to explain his side of things, but was met with silence.
Rahm recently sat down with ESPN's Marty Smith to look back at his 2023 Masters win and how his life has changed over the last 12 months or so. After admitting that he was worried about the negative media attention he would receive after joining LIV, Smith asked Rahm how his peers have reacted, specifically Rory McIlroy and Woods.
McIlroy's tune about LIV Golf conveniently changed the moment Rahm, his European Ryder Cup teammate, made his move to the Saudi-backed circuit official. As for Woods, who has been a vocal critic about LIV, well, it's safe to say he isn't a fan of Rahm's decision to join the breakaway circuit.
"Tiger? No, not really," Rahm said after being asked if he's spoken with him since the move to LIF. "I mean, Tiger, I texted him and the people that try to reach out, you know, the process, when I signed and I just let him know, ‘Hey, you know, this is a personal decision.’"
Rahm didn't expand on that or share Woods' response because it sounds like he didn't receive one.
Apr 10, 2022; Augusta, Georgia, USA; Tiger Woods shakes hands with Jon Rahm after finishing their round on no. 18 during the final round of the Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-Augusta Chronicle/USA TODAY Sports
Jon Rahm Fills Tiger Woods In On LIV MOVE
On the one hand, it's a bit strange that Rahm felt the need to fill Woods in on his decision to leave the Tour. He certainly couldn't have expected a kind response back from the 15-time major winner.
Having said that, Rahm thinking it was important to let Woods know before the media firestorm could be viewed as a sign of respect. While Jay Monahan may still be the commissioner of the PGA Tour, Tiger Woods is still the granddaddy of them all when it comes to all things professional golf.
Just as he was honest about being ignored by Woods following his decision, Rahm was candid in explaining that money was the biggest driving force behind his decision to join LIV Golf.
"I’d be lying if I said that wasn’t a big part of it. In a nutshell, I’m getting paid more to play the same sport while [having more free time]. I don’t know about most people, but that sounds great to me," Rahm said.