Jon Rahm sparks speculation after pulling out of TGL

Masters champion Jon Rahm has officially pulled out of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy’s new tech-infused golf league. 

The Spaniard was one of the first names to be announced for TGL, which starts in January.

But with rumours rife after his name disappeared from TGL’s website on Wednesday, Rahm has updated fans with the reason behind his withdrawal.

He posted on X: “I am sad to confirm that I will not be participating in the first TGL season. While I still think it’s a great opportunity, right now it would require a level of commitment that I can’t offer. Best of luck to everyone involved and may the best team win!”

The league has also released a statement clarifying Rahm’s absence.

It read: “Jon is one of the most talented players in the game and we will miss him during the inaugural TGL season.

“We understand that players have to balance a lot of different facets of their professional and personal lives and respect Jon’s choice and wish him well.”

The league also confirmed Rahm’s replacement to fill the 24-player roster will be announced imminently.

TGL announced its team format this week, as 15 regular season matches will be followed by semi-finals and finals.

Played on a virtual simulator, the unique Monday night matches will be in match play format, split into two sessions.

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An alternate shot nine-hole ‘triples’ session will open the night before a six-hole head-to-head session follows.

The team format has widely been considered a rival to the Saudi-backed LIV Golf league, in which Rahm has been heavily linked.

And the world number three has remained unbothered by the breakaway circuit, largely backing its continuation beyond the opening seasons.

However, Rahm outlined why he did not join Greg Norman’s tour on the Golf Sin Etiquetas podcast in August.

The 28-year-old said: “I laugh when people rumour me with LIV Golf.

“I never liked the format. And I always have a good time with Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia in the practice rounds of majors.

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“Phil respects my decision, and I respect his [choice].

“Mickelson has told me that I have no reason to go play for LIV, and he has told me that multiple times.”

Reports suggested Rahm turned down up to $400 million to join LIV, while DP World Tour star Eddie Pepperell reckons LIV rejected his ‘prohibitively large’ asking price.

Rahm’s removal from TGL would leave McIlroy and Woods in search of a new ‘24th man’.

Jordan Spieth, Viktor Hovland and Scottie Scheffler are among the big names who have not committed to the Florida events.

John Turnbull A graduate of the University of Stirling, John joined the bunkered team in 2023 as a Content Producer, with a responsibility for covering all breaking news, tour news, grassroots content and much more besides. A keen golfer, he plays the majority of his golf at Falkirk Golf Club. Top of his 'bucket list' is a round of Pebble Beach... ideally in the company of Gareth Bale.