Jon Rahm “Not Allowed” to Give Interviews or Make Public Appearances

Jon Rahm, who has always been candid with the media throughout his golf career, took an abrupt 180 this week when reporters caught up to him in his home country of Spain.

In his hometown of Bilbao to accept a local club’s award for his sporting achievements, Rahm told a few reporters who gathered that he won’t be talking – now or any time soon.

NEW: Jon Rahm tells reporters he is “not allowed” to give interviews or make public appearances.

Full quote: “I am under very strict instructions not to do public events, which I have imposed on myself a little bit for myself, and for the change I have given to the world of… pic.twitter.com/6nYDZJhFUR

— John Nucci (@JNucci23) December 14, 2023

“I am under very strict instructions not to do public events, which I have imposed on myself a little bit for myself, and for the change I have given to the world of golf in the last week,” said Rahm, who declined any further interview requests.

He then told the reporters who were there, “I didn’t think there would be any cameras and that this would be a bit more intimate.” 

“There will be nothing until February; I’m not allowed to,” he added.

The February date coincides with the start of the 2024 LIV Golf schedule at the Mayakoba Resort in Mexico. 

But the question remains: did his new employer tell him to stay quiet or is this something he’s doing on his own?

Rahm said he wasn’t allowed to and is under very strict instructions not to do public events, but it’s not LIV’s style to avoid the media. Just ask CEO Greg Norman.

The fallout on whether Jon did or did not say he’s “not allowed” to do media until February highlights a big problem within LIV, the communication and messaging is awful.

Jon is a global star, who has been so authentic throughout the last 2 years. To see him only do 2 media… https://t.co/HwRWjrBLjz

— Flushing It (@flushingitgolf) December 15, 2023

This wouldn’t be the first time Rahm has withdrawn from public life for a bit.

In October 2021, after missing the cut at a DP World Tour event at Valderrama in Spain, Rahm withdrew from several events and took a three-month break, returning at the 2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions in January 2022. 

“When the [2021] Ryder I was drained from the previous year and a half. And after I went to Spain and finished playing, I just needed a break. Not only for me but also for my family,” Rahm told Golf Digest at the time.

After enduring a similar stretch that also included another Ryder Cup a couple of months ago, perhaps Rahm is calling this media blackout on himself. 

Cover Image via X