Fellow European Ryder Cup player Jon Rahm says he decided to leave LIV because he “wasn’t willing to follow the path” taken by the league as it fights for survival.

It was the first time the 31-year-old Spaniard has spoken publicly since securing his exit from the series in October by reaching a separation agreement.

Rahm was the reigning Masters champion when he was convinced to join LIV – a seismic move which underlined the scale of the league’s ambition.

“As much as I liked the project and the idea on, let’s say, LIV 1.0, I wasn’t thrilled with the changes they were doing to 2.0,” Rahm said at the Abu Dhabi Championship, his first event since leaving LIV.

“It wasn’t anything special, anything that stood out. I just didn’t like where they were going with 2.0.”

Rahm joined LIV in a deal worth a reported $300m (£222m), only to leave last month with $100m (£75m) – according to ESPN – owed on the remainder of the contract.

“There were too many unknowns,” added the two-time major winner. “It seemed like it was going a bit away from team golf.

“It became more of a regular tournament. It wasn’t really ever much of a consideration.”

Rahm is among several big-name players to leave LIV in recent weeks, along with Sergio Garcia, Ian Poulter, Tyrrell Hatton and Graeme McDowell.

Westwood remains unsure what he will do next, but he does believe the proposed LIV 2.0 still has the potential to thrive.

“With the way the business was structured, there was too much waste really,” he said.

“I think there is a business there – if LIV 2.0 gets off the ground it will be a successful business. Can they get the players? Time will tell.”



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