Golf fans have been speculating after Jon Rahm's name disappeared from the TGL website - with the TGL confirming Rahm had withdrawn.
The league released a statement to the Sports Business Journal, saying it will miss the former World No.1 in its debut season.
. @TGL confirms Jon Rahm won't be there in '24. Spokesperson to @SBJ: "We will miss him during the inaugural TGL season. We understand that players have to balance a lot of different facets of their professional and personal lives and respect Jon’s choice and wish him well." pic.twitter.com/y2qMmTFEVlNovember 2, 2023
The Spaniard was one of the first players to sign up for the new venture being fronted by Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy's company TMRW Sports.
However, eyebrows were raised across the golfing world after the Spaniard's name and profile disappeared from the TGL website where he was previously listed as one of the top names.
Mentions of Rahm joining TGL were also been deleted from the high-tech league's social media channels - and there are now just 23 names on their website instead of the full 24.
TGL is scheduled to start on 9 January with six teams of four players playing matches partly on a simulator in a purpose-built arena in Florida - in front of a live crowd as well as being televised on ESPN.
Partnering with the PGA Tour, TGL is seen also seen as a key asset in trying to keep the best talent from joining the lucrative LIV Golf League - and Rahm's disappearance from the line-up has already led to social media speculation of a potential blockbuster move.
The 28-year-old, though, already reportedly turned down a nine-figure sum to join the Saudi-backed team golf league last year, and the World No.3 previously spoke of his excitement at joining TGL back in August.
"I’ve heard a lot of great reviews and thoughts from friends of mine looking into it before they knew I was invested in it and wanting to play," said Rahm.
“I think we have the opportunity to do something very special.”
Masters champ Jon Rahm throwing the first pitch at the World Series game last night 👏👏pic.twitter.com/1L6dvXxV8lNovember 1, 2023
Eddie Pepperell recently claimed on his podcast 'The Chipping Forecast' that LIV Golf had abandoned trying to sign Rahm this year when the two-time Major champion quoted a "prohibitively large" figure when asked what it would take for him to make the move.
And the US Open and Masters winner has repeatedly stated he already has enough money and is chasing a golfing legacy over more financial gains.
Rahm was recently seen in Arizona where he donned his Masters Green Jacket to throw out the first pitch during the MLB World Series, and there was little sign there of any worries weighing on his mind.
There will be claims and counter claims made before we get the real story of exactly why Rahm withdrew from TGL.
For now, the league is still moving forward as the big launch approaches and players are starting to sign for the six teams, with Collin Morikawa announced as a Los Angeles Golf Club player on Wednesday, shortly before the Rahm news appeared.
Morikawa raised eyebrows himself when he said signing for his TGL team 'almost' beat getting his Team USA call-up for the Ryder Cup.
Confirmation of Morikawa’s TGL team comes hot on the heels of the news that Thomas had become the first player to sign for a TGL team. The two-time Major winner has joined Atlanta Drive GC. Rory McIlroy's team has been confirmed now, too, with the four-time Major champion set to play for Boston Common alongside Adam Scott, Keegan Bradley and Tyrrell Hatton.
