Jon Rahm has come to the aid of several LIV Golf players, including Lee Westwood, who were stranded in Dubai due to travel chaos caused by military strikes in the Middle East. The two-time major champion dispatched his private jet to Oman to collect the group, some of whom had travelled from Dubai by bus across the border to board the flight.
Reports indicate that Adrian Meronk, Anirban Lahiri, Caleb Surratt, Laurie Canter, Sam Horsfield, Thomas Detry and Tom McKibbin were among those helped by Rahm. The players were desperately trying to leave Dubai but faced flight cancellations across the region after the outbreak of conflict between the US and Iran.
A LIV Golf insider described the operation as 'a coordinated effort between the league and the teams' after exploring 'every option'. The insider stressed: 'The only thing that matters is that people are safe.' The rescue mission ensured the players could make it to Hong Kong for the season's third tournament, which begins on Thursday.
Rahm's intervention comes just days after he accused the DP World Tour of 'extorting' players. He remains the only player who has not committed to the arrangement between the Tour and the Saudi-backed organisation, which requires participants to compete in two tournaments of their choice above the mandatory minimum.
'My position hasn't changed in a week,' Rahm said. 'I don't like what they're currently doing with the contract they're forcing us to sign; I don't like the conditions.' He added: 'I think we should be able to freely play where we want and have the choice to play where we want and not be dictated what we do.'
