- Jon Rahm signed a $500 million deal last week to join the Saudi-backed breakout
- He made his first public appearance since moving to his native Basque Country
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Jon Rahm revealed he has been ordered to keep a low profile following his defection to LIV Golf.
The 29-year-old Spaniard signed a $500 million deal last week to join the Saudi-backed leading group and will begin his LIV Golf career in the 2024 season, starting in February.
The big-money move made headlines around the world after Rahm previously pledged his loyalty to the PGA Tour amid the controversial breakaway's poaching of players.
And in his first public appearance since joining LIV, the Masters champion revealed he planned to stay under the radar until February.
“I didn't think there would be cameras and that it would be a bit more intimate,” Rahm said as he accepted the 'Dama Bilbaina 2023' – an award presented by the Sociedad Bilbaina in his native Basque Country.
Jon Rahm revealed he has been ordered to keep a low profile following his defection from LIV Golf
The Spanish star was a key part of Europe's Ryder Cup team as they defeated the USA in Rome
The 29-year-old signed a $500 million deal last week to join the Saudi-backed breakout
Rahm was on hand to receive the 'Dama Bilbaina 2023' award, presented by the private club founded in 1839 in recognition of his sporting career.
“I'm under very strict instructions not to do any public events, which I've kind of imposed on myself for myself, and for the change that I've brought to the golf world this past week,” Rahm said, categorically “No!” when asked if he planned to give an interview.
'There's nothing until February, I'm not allowed to do that.'
One of golf's most popular and charismatic figures, Rahm became the biggest name to join LIV Golf since Australian Cameron Smith joined after winning the 2022 British Open.
He accepted the 'Dama Bilbaina 2023' – an award presented by the Sociedad Bilbaina
In April this year, the 29-year-old Spaniard won the Masters at Augusta National
Rahm's departure will be seen as another huge blow to the PGA Tour, which has seen many of its stars defect to the leading group, lured by huge paydays.
He described himself on Wednesday as a “normal person.”
“I don't think what I do is much different, or that I'm more or less important than the rest,” Rahm said.
'The only thing is that I'm on TV now and that's it… hopefully a little less in the future…'