PGA suspends Rahm over move to LIV

The PGA Tour has suspected Jon Rahm after his signing with the LIV Golf Invitational. The Spaniard confirmed last week that he had joined the Saudi-backed league in a deal that some are estimating could be worth almost half a billion pounds. This move, however, was not supported by the PGA as they have suspended the Spaniard, although this was expected. 

In a statement, the PGA added that the suspension also affects Rahm’s FedEx Cup eligibility points, and this was done so his suspension would not negatively affect other players on the tour. 

The statement reads: “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. 

“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.”

The suspension of Rahm, although expected, was still a bit surprising, due to the fact that a merger occurred earlier this year, which brought the PGA and LIV under the same body. Then again, the PGA is yet to allow players who left for the LIV last year back into the tour, so some sort of friction still exists. 

So far, world number three Rahm is the highest-ranked player to join the LIV. Before his recent move, he was a staunch critic of the new league, along with the likes of Rory McIlroy, at least, that was before the merger was announced. His recent move may not be unconnected to feeling a bit of betrayal, like McIlroy expressed, over the decision of the PGA to be a part of the merger without first informing the players.

Leon Osamor