Like most elite golfers, Tiger Woods and Jon Rahm once had a pretty close relationship during their time together on the PGA Tour. But with Rahm leaving for the PGA Tour to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf circuit, it sounds like that relationship no longer exists.
This week, Jon Rahm spoke to Marty Smith on ESPN about how his move from the PGA Tour to LIV Golf has impacted his relationships with golfers who have remained loyal to the PGA Tour. Rahm said that he has remained in contact with Rory McIlroy, who he said has publicly and privately supported his decision, but he has not spoken to Tiger Woods since the move.
“Tiger? No, not really,” Rahm said. “I mean, Tiger, I texted him and the people that try to reach out, you know, the process, when I signed and I just let him know, ‘Hey, you know, this is a personal decision.’”
Obviously, it’s pretty horrible news that their relationship seems to have ended with Rahm moving to LIV Golf, and people had a lot to say about it on social media as a result.
He's a company man
— Ken Harford (@harford_ken) February 26, 2024
Imagine joining a tour trying to destroy the tour that created Tigers legacy and expecting a response. @JonRahmOfficial you’re way smarter than that, right? https://t.co/EU87GhpGl4
— Jake Johnson (@JJohnson89071) February 26, 2024
Tiger Woods, the greatest golfer ever, never wastes a second protecting his turf as the worst human ever.
Jon Rahm is the classiest man in golf and deserves better.#pgatour https://t.co/Hn1eUlwyGQ
— Sekrah (@sekrah) February 26, 2024
In any other sport players are happy to see fellow players get PAID as it means they’re all going to make more money….but not Tiger (the Billionaire), he would rather all other players have way less money for their families. https://t.co/WlANhAxHh0
— Dustin Kersey (@dustin_kersey) February 26, 2024
Rahm has been crying about getting attention from Tiger. It’s like a weird daddy-issues complex.
First it was “he doesn’t give me advice/tips.” Now it’s “he doesn’t want to talk to me.” You’re an adult, Jon. Grow up. https://t.co/WGKz064Hch
— Marc Harrie (@MarcHarrie16) February 26, 2024
It takes class to rise above your feelings and wish someone well in these circumstances.
Why would anyone be surprised Tiger wouldn't? https://t.co/YPgjREC5ak
— Sapolicious (@sapolicious) February 26, 2024
https://twitter.com/gdezzzz/status/1762095450658656450?s=20
This isn’t on you @JonRahmOfficial – it’s a @TigerWoods emotional immaturity issue.
If you’ve got a buddy that changes jobs, do you stop talking to him, even if you’re at GM, and he’s now working for an upstart car company?#GrowUpTW #48YearsOldActingLike8 https://t.co/KRPLJamJB9— FS (@21FrankS) February 26, 2024
A Tiger never changes his stripes. https://t.co/SWlS2C07Ef
— Andrew Novak (@Novak_Attack) February 26, 2024
We’ll have to see whether or not the two golf superstars can ever make amends.