Jon Rahm arranged his private jet to fly multiple LIV Golf players, including Lee Westwood, from Oman to Hong Kong after flights were grounded due to the ongoing Middle East conflict
20:08, 04 Mar 2026Updated 20:09, 04 Mar 2026
Jon Rahm let LIV Golf rivals use his private jet(Image: Kate McShane, Getty Images)
Jon Rahm has intervened to ensure several LIV Golf stars could make it to Hong Kong from Dubai following the outbreak of war between the US and Iran. Multiple players were at risk of missing the season’s third tournament after terrifying missile strikes across the Middle East.
Reports suggest Adrian Meronk, Anirban Lahiri, Caleb Surratt, Laurie Canter, Lee Westwood, Sam Horsfield, Thomas Detry and Tom McKibbin were all helped out by Rahm. They were desperately trying to leave Dubai but faced flight cancellations across the Middle East.
Israel and the United States’ military offensive against Iran has caused travel chaos across the globe. Golf.com reported that LIV Golf officials were considering routing their players to Hong Kong after stopping in London.
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Rahm, however, intervened with his personal aircraft. The two-time major champion dispatched his private jet to Oman to collect the group, with some having travelled from Dubai by bus across the border for the flight.
The South China Morning Post quoted a LIV Golf insider describing the mission as ‘a coordinated effort between the league and the teams’ following exploration of ‘every option’. The insider then stressed: “The only thing that matters is that people are safe.”
Rahm’s intervention follows just days after he accused the DP World Tour of “extorting” players ahead of the fresh LIV Golf season. Competition begins in Hong Kong on Thursday with Sergio Garcia aiming to retain his crown.
Rahm’s act of class came after LIV Golf stars were caught up in the scary Middle East scenes(Image: @vistajet)
Rahm remains the sole player who has not committed to the arrangement between the Tour and the Saudi-backed organisation. It requires participants to compete in two tournaments of their choice above the mandatory minimum.
“My position hasn’t changed in a week,” he 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.
“They’re asking me to play a minimum of six tournaments and dictating where two of them must be held, among other things, I disagree with. Rahm added: “I just don’t like the situation.
Lee Westwood is one of the LIV Golf players Jon Rahm helped(Image: Justin Casterline, Getty Images)
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“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. Especially myself. I can’t speak for others; only myself.
He concluded: “So I don’t like the situation and I’m not going to agree to that. Now, I did tell them, funny enough, lower that to four events, like the minimum says, and I’ll sign tonight. They haven’t agreed to that. I just refuse to play six events. I don’t want to, and that’s not what the rules say.”
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