Jon Rahm said he’s disappearing for a while. Here’s why that sparked confusionl

Six days after Jon Rahm announced at a New York City press conference that he was signing with LIV Golf, the Spanish superstar was back in his homeland earlier this week to accept an award from a prestigious sports and social club on Spain’s northern coast.

Rahm’s recent visit to La Sociedad Bilbaina in Bilbao shed light on a few things. Firstly, he was honored to receive the Dama Bilbaina prize for his remarkable achievements in sports. However, he was surprised by the large number of media present at the event. As Rahm addressed the crowd in his native language, he expressed his expectation for a more intimate gathering.

But there’s more to Rahm’s statements, as reported by Reuters. He apparently mentioned his intention to keep a low profile for the next couple of months. “I have strict instructions not to participate in public events, which I have also imposed on myself, considering the impact I’ve had on the world of golf in the past week,” Rahm stated.

Interestingly, Rahm’s comments raised questions about who exactly was prohibiting him from making appearances or speaking to the press. Was it his own decision, his team, or his new employer, LIV Golf? If it was solely Rahm’s choice, why did he mention being under strict instructions and not being allowed to do so? One possible explanation is that the translation from Spanish to English may have caused some important context to be lost.

However, there’s another aspect that remains unclear. In 2022, the Wall Street Journal reviewed a draft of a contract offered to potential LIV players. The contract included provisions such as players needing approval to display brand logos at LIV tournaments and assisting in LIV’s recruitment efforts. The Journal’s report also mentioned that players were advised to refrain from giving interviews without something.

“No player sends me an email asking for approval to do press,” the spokesperson said. “They do what they want.”

If Rahm does wait until February to reappear in the public eye, he’ll likely do so in Mexico. The first LIV event of 2024 is at the El Camaleon course at Mayakoba, from Feb. 2-4.