Phil Mickelson denies fuelling Jon Rahm rumours

Phil Mickelson has denied reports suggesting he has played a part in the latest LIV Golf rumour.

The end of the 2023 regular season in the Saudi-backed league has sparked speculation over who might join the circuit ahead of 2024.

And reports from golf writer Alan Shipnuck claimed that Mickelson knew of Jon Rahm’s imminent departure to LIV and was sharing the news.

But lefty has hit back, arguing he has no intel on the Spaniard’s reported exit, despite being good friends with the fellow Masters champion and sharing the same agent.

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On Wednesday, Shipnuck posted on X: “In recent days Phil has been telling folks that Rahm signing with LIV is a done deal (they share the same agent.)”

In a fiery response, Mickelson said: “This isn’t true, and I don’t know anything. I don’t want to know anything, and I haven’t said anything.”

Rahm is understood to be in negotiations with LIV Golf over a move and bunkered.co.uk has learned that the Spaniard has had talks with the circuit, but nothing has been agreed as yet.

A well-placed source told us that reports of an imminent switch are “wide of the mark” but added that he is “closer to joining than he has been before”.

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The 29-year-old reportedly turned down an eye-watering sum to jump ship last season, while his withdrawal from TGL added fuel to the fire.

Despite not joining the Greg Norman-fronted circuit, Rahm has only criticised the league over its format.

That could be something LIV is open to changing with the arrival of the European Ryder Cup powerhouse, although its 2024 schedule was released yesterday.

By joining, Rahm could create a four-man Spanish outfit by joining Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC, alongside Eugenio Chacarra and David Puig.

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.