PGA Tour confirms Jon Rahm banned following LIV switch

The PGA Tour has confirmed that Jon Rahm has been suspended indefinitely following his decision to join LIV Golf.

Rahm, 29, signed with the Saudi-bankrolled golf league last Thursday in a deal reported to be worth $450million.

The move brought an end to weeks of speculation over the Spaniard’s future and immediately kickstarted a whole set of rumours, chief amongst them being his status on the PGA Tour going forward.

Shortly after his unveiling as a LIV player, Rahm insisted that he intended to maintain his membership of the US-based circuit, putting the ball firmly in the tour’s court.

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Its approach since the inaugural LIV event in June 2022 has been to ban all of its members who compete on the rival circuit indefinitely. However, with a December 31 deadline for negotiations with the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia looming, some had speculated whether they might soften their stance, not least because Rahm is the reigning Masters champion, world No.3 and one of the game’s most bankable assets.

In a memo distributed to members this evening, it appears that they will not be taking that approach.

The note, first shared on social media by the Monday Q Info account, said: “As you will recall, last year we communicated our commitment to ensure that suspended members do not negatively impact other players’ tournament eligibility, position on the Priority Rankings or eligibility to compete in the Players and Signature Events.

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“Consequently the Policy Board established a new ranking – called the “FedEx Cup Playoffs & Eligibility Points List” – that removes players who are under suspension for their participation in an unauthorised tournament or their association with a series of unauthorised tournaments from the FedEx Cup Points List.

“In accordance with the PGA Tour Tournament Regulations, Jon Rahm has been notified that he is suspended and no longer eligible to participate in PGA Tour tournament play due to his association with a series of unauthorised tournaments.”

Rahm’s suspension spells good news for a number of players.

Mackenzie Hughes moves up from 51st to 50th on the FedEx Cup standings, therefore becoming eligible for all of the signature events in 2024. Alex Smalley has earned a place in the Genesis Invitational by moving up to 60th. Carl Yuan has kept his card, jumping from 126th to 125th. And Paul Haley has received a conditional card, climbing from 151st to 150th.

Michael McEwan is the Deputy Editor of bunkered and has been part of the team since 2004. In that time, he has interviewed almost every major figure within the sport, from Jack Nicklaus, to Rory McIlroy, to Donald Trump. The host of the multi award-winning bunkered Podcast and a member of Balfron Golfing Society, Michael is the author of three books and is the 2023 PPA Scotland 'Writer of the Year' and 'Columnist of the Year'. Dislikes white belts, yellow balls and iron headcovers. Likes being drawn out of the media ballot to play Augusta National.

Deputy Editor