Rory McIlroy Reveals Why Jon Rahm's Jump to LIV Was 'a Smart Business Move'

McIlroy addressed Rahm’s departure from the PGA Tour in a recent podcast episode, calling the move ‘opportunistic.’

Rory McIlroy has once again spoken out Jon Rahm’s blockbuster jump to LIV Golf, but this time he expanded on his previous acceptance of the decision and called the Masters champion’s move "opportunistic." 

On The Overlap’s "Stick to Football" podcast, McIlroy spoke to the hosts in depth about the state of professional golf and the pending framework agreement between the PGA Tour and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, the backer of LIV. In the interview, McIlroy largely softened his stance on LIV Golf, admitting that he was “probably being too judgmental” when the game first started to fracture. 

When asked about Rahm’s recent move, McIlroy explained that the June 6 “merger” announcement effectively shifted the dynamic for players who were interested in LIV contracts. McIlroy noted that the criticism Rahm received for leaving the PGA Tour was much more subdued than the flack players such as Brooks Koepka, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson faced when they joined in the league’s earlier stages. Now that the two parties are in negotiations, McIlroy says the LIV cause has been “legitimized.”

“I think this whole framework agreement and the merger news in June, it has legitimized what LIV was trying to do, which then made it easier for guys to jump,” McIlroy said. “Jon Rahm hasn’t got any of the heat that the first guys got for going. It’s made it easier for guys to jump. I think Jon, he’s smart, and I think he sees things coming together at some point, so he’s thinking ‘O.K. I’ll take a lot of upfront money,’ which is his prerogative, he can absolutely do that and if things come together, ‘I’ll maybe play LIV for a year then come back to play on the Tour and play some team golf on the sort of fringes.’”

McIlroy called his Ryder Cup teammate’s move to LIV Golf ‘opportunistic.’ / Adam Hagy-USA TODAY Sports

It is uncertain when exactly the PGA Tour and the PIF will finalize the terms of the their proposed agreement. On Dec. 31, the PGA Tour announced that the deadline for the completion of the deal had been extended. It is believed that the parties are aiming for a finalized agreement before the Masters in April. 

In general, it is clear that the divide in the professional game looks like it will eventually be sealed, and for that reason, McIlroy has come to view Rahm’s decision as a “smart business move.” The Northern Irishman is especially confident in that view because of Rahm’s unique position in the short term: As a recent major champion, he has exemptions into golf’s four pinnacle events for foreseeable future. 

Additionally, McIlroy has no doubt that Rahm won’t be allowed to compete for the European Ryder Cup team. In December, McIlroy got a head start on that front, calling for the DP World Tour to “rewrite the rules” for Team Europe Ryder Cup eligibility to allow Rahm to compete even if he isn’t a DP World Tour member. 

“It’s a smart business move. It’s opportunistic,” McIlroy said. “He sees that things will come back together. He’s in a lucky position, he’s exempt from all the majors. There’s not one person who wouldn’t want him on our Ryder Cup team because of how good he is. He was in a great position to where there wasn’t a ton of risk involved for him to go. I have no problem with Jon going if he thinks that’s the right decision for him and his family. Who am I to say anything different at this point?”