Tiger Woods snubs golf star after LIV move in totally different reaction to Rory McIlroy

Tiger Woods snubs golf star after LIV move in totally different reaction to Rory McIlroy

WATCH NOW: Sports round-up as Tiger Woods snubs Jon Rahm after LIV Golf move

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 26/02/2024

- 13:12

The 15-time major champion blanked Jon Rahm following his lucrative deal

Tiger Woods gave a completely different reaction to Rory McIlroy when Jon Rahm told him that he would be joining LIV Golf in December.

McIlroy has come around to the idea of some golf stars making the move to the rebel tour but Woods seemingly holds a different view.


Last year's Masters champion Rahm became the latest big name to join LIV in a deal which could reportedly be worth up to £450million.

He has lured Tyrell Hatton and American youngster Caleb Surratt to his team, which has since been named Legion XIII.

Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy

Tiger Woods offered a different reaction to Rory McIlroy on Jon Rahm's decision to join LIV

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Rahm previously committed his future to the PGA Tour when many of his rivals made the move to LIV.

Both McIlroy and Woods have been vocally critical of the Saudi Arabian-backed tour since it was founded in 2021.

McIlroy's approach has softened since his Ryder Cup team-mate Rahm made the move.

Rahm says the Northern Irishman also backed him privately but says that hasn't been the case with Woods.

He claims Woods blanked a message he sent him before the mega-money deal was officially announced.

Speaking to ESPN, Rahm said: "Well I mean, Rory has been supportive publicly of my decision and he was privately as well.

"Tiger? No, not really [had a response]. I texted him and the people that tried to reach out throughout the process when I signed and I just let him know, ‘Hey, this is a personal decision, I have nothing against anybody’."

Earlier this year, McIlroy spoke publicly on Rahm's decision to quit the PFA Tour for the first time.

And he admitted he was less against the idea of LIV having understood the reasons behind each individual player's move.

McIlroy said on the Stick to Football podcast: "I was maybe a little judgmental of the guys who went to LIV Golf at the start.

"I think it was a bit of a mistake on my part because I now realize that not everyone is in my position or in Tiger Woods’ position.

"I’ve gone through the last two years with this altruistic approach where I’ve looked at the world the way I’ve wanted to see it. Ultimately, you can say what you want and do what you want, but at the end of the day, you’re not going to be able to change people’s minds."

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Jon Rahm

Jon Rahm joined LIV Golf in a mega-money deal in December

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Rahm admits money played a big part in his decision to join LIV but concedes he would unlikely have made the move if he didn't win the Masters in 2023.

He said: "Well, it's a change. The best way I can explain it is LIV Golf wasn't a thing or a possibility for us growing up.

"The PGA Tour was the pinnacle of golf. This is a new change, a big change, and a big change in the way golfers get compensated.

"I'll be lying if I said it wasn't a part of it. In a nutshell, I'm being paid more to play the same sport and have more time. I don't know about most people but that sounds great to me.

Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy

Jon Rahm receiced support publicly and privately from Rory McIlroy

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"I want to make one thing clear: if allowed, I will still support the PGA Tour and DP World Tour. I’m not giving up and there’s still some events I would love to absolutely play.

"No doubt about it, if my schedule allows. I would go and play. I'm very hopeful there will be a path back to all of those things.

"But I can confidently say if I didn't win the Masters this year I don't know if I would have done it. It definitely set me up in a position to where it's easier to make that change. And if I hadn't won a major, I don't know if I would have done it."

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