Two LIV Golf players make their feelings clear on | Golf News

Jon Rahm and Tyrrell Hatton harbor no resentment over Patrick Reed’s selection to abandon LIV Golf on the brink of the new season.

LIV endured a major setback last week when out-of-contract founding member Reed revealed he was departing the breakaway league to search a return to the PGA Tour. The 35-year-old will change into eligible for reinstatement as a non-member in August.

The 2018 Masters winner had been among LIV‘s top performers after defecting from the PGA Tour in 2022, and his exit mere days before Wednesday’s season-opener in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, represents another blow to the league following a difficult offseason.

Two-time major winner Rahm had the prospect to mirror Koepka’s transfer through the PGA Tour’s Returning Member Program, which created an alternative for the Spaniard – along with Bryson DeChambeau and Cam Smith – to be reinstated, assuming he deserted LIV and accepted a collection of financial penalties.

Reed’s departure casts uncertainty over LIV’s long-term prospects, and the league’s executives will undoubtedly fear that extra high-profile players may comply with with more contracts concluding at the end of this 12 months, particularly the distinctive DeChambeau.

However, the Monday deadline for players to be a part of the Returning Player Program will elapse without Rahm, DeChambeau and Smith accepting the chance.

They had beforehand made clear they might play on LIV in 2026, and Rahm appeared untroubled by Reed’s departure at his press convention in Riyadh on Monday.

LIV CEO Scott O’Neil harassed that he believes in “free agency and open pathways” after Koepka’s departure, and Rahm echoed his view when requested by Mirror Sports U.S. for his ideas on Reed’s determination to stroll away.

“I think each one is going to do whatever he thinks is best for them. At this point, I just wish him nothing but the best of luck. Hopefully, it all goes well,” Rahm said.

“We’re free to choose where we want to play golf. At least that’s how it should be. And he’s made his choice, obviously. Nothing really against him. He’s been playing fantastic golf, and if he wants to go back, he should have the chance to do so.”

Rahm’s Legion XIII teammate Tyrrell Hatton acknowledged that LIV is weaker without world No. 25 Reed on board, but he, too, had no adverse feelings toward the American’s determination.

“He was out of contract, and he had options and decided that for him to move forward that he wanted to go back and play on the PGA Tour. That’s his choice,” the Englishman said.

“He’s an amazing player. If he were playing on LIV still, he makes the league stronger, but he’s chosen his path, and you can only wish him the best moving forward.”