In a room in New York City, Jon Rahm, the reigning Masters champion, officially confirmed what had long been suspected: he has signed with the LIV Golf league. Despite previously expressing his preference for the PGA Tour and his reservations about LIV Golf’s format, Rahm, donning a LIV Golf varsity jacket, made the move official.
Having amassed 11 victories, including two majors, and over $51 million in prizemoney on the PGA Tour, Rahm’s decision seemed surprising. However, his close ties with friends who joined LIV Golf, such as Sergio Garcia and Phil Mickelson, and his acknowledgment of the positive impact LIV’s investment has had on professional golf influenced his decision.
🚨#NEW: Jon Rahm says he wants to keep his status on the PGA TOUR: “I can say that I do want to maintain my PGA Tour and DP World status. I will not give that up and hopefully with the freedom that LIV Golf gives me I can play in both of those tours as well. I’ve expressed how… pic.twitter.com/7FrgV7HiwT
— NUCLR GOLF (@NUCLRGOLF) December 8, 2023
The rumor mill went into overdrive when Rahm withdrew from the 2025 Simulator Golf League (TGL), a Monday night league featuring PGA Tour greats Woods and McIlroy. Speculation intensified with reports of a massive $600 million signing bonus from the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund-backed LIV league.
During a media call, Rahm addressed the challenging speculation and the difficulty of focusing on golf amidst the ongoing rumors. While he did not delve into the specifics of the rumored sums, he admitted that money played a role in his decision, acknowledging it was “a really good offer.”
Throughout the press conference, Rahm navigated questions about the evolving landscape of golf, the growth and innovation of LIV Golf, and the factors influencing his move. Despite the challenges, he expressed excitement about the future and the opportunities presented by joining LIV Golf.
