Golf star arranges jet to rescue stranded stars in Dubai | Golf | Sport

Jon Rahm has stepped in to help ensure multiple LIV Golf players could reach Hong Kong from Dubai. A number of players risked missing the third LIV Golf event of the season due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

According to reports, Lee Westwood, Laurie Canter, Thomas Detry, Sam Horsfield, Anirban Lahiri, Tom McKibbin, Adrian Meronk and Caleb Surratt have all been scrambling to exit Dubai, with flights being grounded due to the United States’ and Israel‘s military campaign against Iran.

Golf.com claimed LIV Golf organisers were considering flying their players to Hong Kong via London, but Rahm stepped in with his own private jet. The Spaniard’s private jet was sent to Oman to pick up the group, some of whom had been in Dubai and were bused across the border for the flight.

According to the South China Morning Post, a LIV Golf source described the operation as ‘a coordinated effort between the league and the teams’ after ‘every option’ had been explored. The source then added: “The only thing that matters is that people are safe.”

Rahm’s gesture comes just days after he accused the DP World Tour of “extorting” players ahead of the new LIV Golf season. Play gets under way in Hong Kong on Thursday with Sergio Garcia looking to defend his title.

Rahm is the only player not to have signed up to the agreement between the Tour and the Saudi-based organisation that requires players to play two tournaments of their choosing, beyond the minimum required.

“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.

“I believe we should be able to play freely wherever we want and have the option to play wherever we want without anyone dictating what we do.