Rahm accuses PGA Tour of "generating division" as he addresses LIV Golf rumours

01 August 2023 , 13:14

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Rahm accuses PGA Tour of "generating division" as he addresses LIV Golf rumours

Jon Rahm has accused the PGA Tour of 'generating division' in the world of professional golf following their 12-month dispute with LIV Golf.

Following LIV's formation last summer, the PGA Tour were in no mood to co-exist with the breakaway circuit, suspending any player who chose to make the Saudi switch. The two circuits were locked in an ugly dispute for one year, before a truce appeared to have been called last month.

This came after the PGA Tour made the shock announcement that they had reached an agreement with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia (PIF), that would see them work alongside their LIV rivals, as well as the DP World Tour.

The deal came as a surprise to most, including some of the American-based circuit's biggest players. A number of Tour stars claimed to have been left in the dark by the agreement on the negotiations since, and the latest to address the deal is Masters champion Rahm.

Speaking on the Golf Sin Etiquetas Podcast, the Spanish star revealed he found out about the Tour's PIF deal just two minutes before it was revealed to the world, admitting he initially didn't take the news seriously.

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"Two minutes before the announcement came out someone from the PGA Tour contacted me and told me everything," Rahm commented. "I thought it was a joke."

Jon Rahm thought the PGA Tour's deal with PIF was 'a joke' (AP)

The Spaniard went on to claim that he felt this action should have been taken following the formation of LIV 12 months earlier, in a bid to avoid the division that was born out of the dispute. Rahm added: "This is what they should have done from the beginning. Instead they generated division then decided to come together again."

Following the Saudi-backed league's formation last summer, the former world No. 1 was heavily linked with a move to the LIV setup, but instead opted to remain loyal to the PGA Tour. Whilst two of his close friends in Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia made the move, the Masters champion felt the league's format was not for him.

"“Phil Mickelson respects my decision and I respect his decision," Rahm said. "He has told me that I have no reason to go to LIV. And he has told me that several times... I laugh when people rumour me with LIV. I’ve never liked the format." Confirming none of his relationships have been hampered by the friction, he added: "I always have a good time with Phil and Sergio in the practice rounds of majors.”

Joshua Lees