26 November 2023 , 00:14
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Phil Mickelson has refuted all claims suggesting he has been informing people Jon Rahm will sign with LIV Golf.
A report on Wednesday from a golf journalist, Alan Shipnuck, on social media claimed Mickelson, who shares the same agent as the Spaniard, had been telling people that Rahm would in fact be joining the breakaway league. The reporter further added that Mickelson is a 'relentless salesman/bull**** artist'.
Furious, Mickelson replied to the claims and denied the words from the reporter. "This isn't true, and I don't know anything," said Mickelson. "I don't want to know anything, and I haven't said anything. Alan is the worst liar and a pathetic human."
Shipnuck responded to Mickelson's denial a few hours later. "I guess Phil tweeted at me? I wouldn't know since he's blocked me in a classic tough-guy move. But we all know that what he says publicly and privately are *very* different."
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The history of conflict between Shipnuck and Mickelson stems from a report by the author, who claimed that the profound golfer previously referred to the people of Saudi Arabia as "scary motherf*****s." Shipnuck published the unauthorized biography "Phil: The Rip-Roaring [and Unauthorized!] Biography of Golf's Most Colorful Superstar" in May. He also wrote a golf business book, "LIV and Let Die: The Inside Story of the War Between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf," which was released last month.
Reports are circulating that Jon Rahm may be considering switching to LIV Golf, just like other famous PGA Tour players who were offered huge contracts. It's been speculated Rahm might be offered a deal of around $600 million (£476m) if he chooses to leave the PGA Tour. According to the Official World Golf Ranking [OWGR], Rahm is the No. 3 ranked golfer in the world. During the 2022-23 season, Rahm achieved a significant milestone, securing four wins on the PGA Tour for the first time in his career.
He clinched his second major championship title at the prestigious Masters Tournament. Rahm's victories extended across other tournaments, including the Sentry Tournament of Champions, The American Express, and The Genesis Invitational. In doing so, Rahm tied with Sergio Garcia for the most wins on the PGA Tour by a Spanish-born player reaching 11 victories.
Rahm is the hottest prospect rumored to join LIVRahm joined the elite company of Seve Ballesteros and Jose Maria Olazabal as the third player from Spain to claim multiple significant titles. His victory at The Genesis Invitational marked a historic moment, making him the first player since Johnny Miller in 1975 to secure three wins on the Tour in a calendar year before March 1.
Rahm's victory in the 2022-23 marked his seventh consecutive season with a PGA Tour win. If Rahm were to join LIV, the possibility arises of creating a formidable four-person Spanish team by partnering with Sergio Garcia's Fireballs GC.
This potential team could include Rahm, Garcia, Eugenio Chacarra, and David Puig, presenting a robust lineup of Spanish talent in the golfing world. Such a collaboration could significantly affect team dynamics and performance in golf competitions.